Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW Summer Struggle Report! (8/1/21)
Will Chaos still reign?

Will Chaos lose belts before going for more?
After all the madness from yesterday, Chaos and Suzuki-Gun look to raise the stakes as the NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag titles are on the line! Will the champions retain or #JustTapOut?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kazuchika Okada VS Yuya Uemura; Okada wins.
- Tetsuya Naito VS Yota Tsuji; Naito wins.
- Six Man Tag: Toru Yano & Roppongi 3K VS Chase Owens, El Phantasmo & Taiji Ishimori; Owens, ELP & Ishimori win.
- Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS EVIL, Dick Togo & Yujiro Takahashi; LIJ wins.
- NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships: Chaos VS Minoru Suzuki & Dangerous Tekkers; Chaos wins and retains the titles.
PLAY BY PLAY
Kazuchika Okada VS Yuya Uemura!
Summer Struggle Sunday starts off with a send-off for a Young Lion! Will the Rainmaker send Uemura off on excursion in style?
The bell rings and fans fire up with Uemura as he steps right up to Okada. Okada is still in his corner but Uemura waits on him. Okada takes his time, circles with Uemura, shoots in, but Uemura dodges to get around and waistlock. Uemura shifts to a half nelson but Okada wrenches out. Okada gets a hammerlock but Uemura switches the hold onto Okada. Uemura cranks the hold to wrangle Okada to the mat. Okada reaches back, Uemura hooks that arm to make it a chicken wing cradle, ONE! Okada facelocks, Uemura makes that a fireman’s carry takedown! Fans cheer the technical exchange as Uemura has an armlock.
Okada fights up, gets a leg, trips Uemura, then drops an elbow on the knee. Okada has a toehold now, but Uemura tries to counter with a chinlock. Okada cranks the toehold, Uemura hooks him with a leg to go for an armbar! Okada clasps hands, rolls to a cover, TWO! Uemura uses a leg guard to keep Okada back but Okada backs off just a moment before shooting back in. Okada has a facelock, Uemura moves around so Okada shifts to a waistlock then chinlock. Uemura fights to his feet, pries at the headlock, but Okada cranks it on harder. Fans rally as Uemura tries to power out, but Okada holds on tight. Uemura fights up, powers up but still can’t power out!
Okada grinds Uemura into the mat and cranks back but Uemura endures. Fans rally up, Uemura fights with body shots and then finally powers out to dropkick Okada down! That was a very Okada like move! Uemura keeps on Okada with a rain of forearms! And a CHOP! Fans fire up again as Uemura paces around Okada. Uemura gets Okada up, scoops and SLAMS him, then covers. ONE, but Uemura hits a BIG jumping elbow drop! Cover, ONE! Uemura tries again, ONE! And again, TWO! Fans rally up as Uemura CLUBS Okada. Uemura gets Okada up, CLUBS away on his back, stomps him down, then drags him back up.
Uemura double wristlocks and throws Okada for a mounted wristlock. Okada clasps hands to resist and he moves around to get the ropebreak! Uemura lets go cleanly, then gets Okada back up. Uemura ROCKS Okada with a forearm, CLUBS him on the back, and ROCKS him in the corner with more forearms. Uemura whips corner to corner, runs in and dropkicks! Then he reels Okada in for a BIG back suplex! High stack, TWO, into a BOSTON CRAB! Fans fire up as Okada scrambles, and Okada gets the ropebreak! The ref counts, Uemura lets off but stomps away on Okada at the ropes! Fans rally more as Uemura backs off to catch his breath.
Okada gets back up and Uemura throws a forearm! Okada doesn’t flinch so Uemura throws another! And another! Uemura runs but into a boot! Uemura just fires up to fire off more forearms! Uemura runs again but Okada’s BOOT knocks him down this time! Okada gets Uemura up, fans rally, and Okada eggs Uemura on. Uemura throws many forearms and a EuroUpper! Uemura runs, dodges the boot, dodges the chop, but runs right into the back drop! Fans rally as Okada gets Uemura back up to snapmare, spin around, snapmare again, then get him up for a leg trip. Okada scoops Uemura to SLAM him down, and scoop SLAMS again!
Okada whips and elbows Uemura down, then drags him back up. Fans fire up as Okada scoops and SLAMS Uemura again! Uemura is dazed from that flurry of offense and Okada backs off to see if he gets up. Uemura grits his teeth, slowly pushes himself up off the mat, and gets to his feet. Uemura throws another forearm but Okada just comes back for more. Uemura’s forearms finally impress Okada, and he ROCKS Uemura in return. Uemura throws another forearm but Okada DECKS him! Okada eggs Uemura on, Uemura growls and shakes his head and gets back up to throw more forearms. Okada ROCKS Uemura with a EuroUpper, runs, but into Uemura’s dropkick!
Fans are thunderous for Uemura as he gets Okada up and traps the arms! OVERHEAD SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! Uemura fires himself up, beats his chest like Tarzan, then wrenches and clinches Okada again. Okada blocks the suplex this time and fans rally as Uemura keeps trying. Okada eggs Uemura on so Uemura headbutts him! Uemura keeps trying but Okada keeps blocking the suplex. Okada powers out to SHORT ARM CLOTHESLINE! And then ANOTHER! Okada then wraps on the MONEY CLIP! Uemura is fading already but fans rally up and he gets his second wind! Uemura reaches out, scoots closer, but Okada drags him away from ropes! Uemura taps, Okada wins!
Winner: Kazuchika Okada, by submission
A valiant effort from this Young Lion graduate, and Okada applauds him along with the fans. Okada helps him up so Uemura can soak in the applause. But then Okada whips him and dropkicks him?! Seems Okada wanted to show the upstart how it’s done! Will Uemura’s excursion transform him into someone who can truly stand toe to toe with The Rainmaker?
Tetsuya Naito VS Yota Tsuji!
Just like Uemura, another Young Lion has his send-off! But will the towering Tsuji share the same fate as his fellow graduate?
Naito wore his suit today, so Tsuji’s send-off starts with the long labor of taking it off and putting it aside. Tsuji is patient, having seen this many times from ringside. The bell rings and Tsuji runs Naito right over! Again, Tsuji has seen Naito’s matches so he knows Naito starts off slow and he takes advantage of that. Tsuji gets Naito up to throw forearms, then whips Naito to ropes. Naito holds ropes, boots back, then things speed up. Tsuji hurdles, Naito leaps over, they keep going and Tsuji RANAS! Naito bails out and Tsuji dares him to come back as fans rally up. Naito stays outside so Tsuji goes out after him. Tsuji kicks Naito, bumps him off the apron, then puts him back inside.
Fans cheer as Tsuji stomps Naito down. Naito sits up but Tsuji gets him up to CLUB him and throw forearms. Naito CHOPS, Tsuji CHOPS, repeat! Neither man is backing down from this CHOP fight, but then Tsuji DECKS Naito with a forearm! Fans fire up for Tsuji’s strength, but Naito plays dead as Tsuji tries to get him up. Tsuji stomps Naito, stands him up this time, and whips. Naito holds ropes again so Tsuji throws forearms. Tsuji whips, Naito reverses and wrenches to throw back elbows and forearms. Tsuji forearms back, and again, and again. Naito staggers, Tsuji whips but again Naito reverses, to atomic drop and NECKBREAKER!
Tsuji bails out now and Naito goes out after him. Naito whips Tsuji hard into railing! The ref reprimands but Naito backs off. Naito goes back after Tsuji to whip him hard into more railing. The standing count starts but Naito scoop SLAMS Tsuji to the floor. Naito goes back to the ring at 10 of 20 and Tsuji writhes. The count gets to 15, then 17! Tsuji is up at 18, in at 19! Naito stomps Tsuji now, then digs a knee in with the chinlock stretch. Tsuji gets the ropebreak, Naito pulls back harder, until the ref counts 4. Fans rally while Naito paces. Naito gets Tsuji up, whip him to ropes and back drops him! Cover, TWO! Another try, TWO! Another, TWO!! Fans cheer as Tsuji narrowly escapes.
Naito kicks Tsuij around, brings him up, but Tsuji throws a forearm. Naito eggs him on so Tsuji throws more forearms. Naito fires off forearms in return, then CLUBS Tsuji on the back. Naito scoop SLAMS Tsuji, goes for the legs, but Tsuji kicks him away. Naito kicks Tsuji, whips him, and Tsuji dropkicks Naito down! Fans fire up while both men are down! Tsuji gets up and aims from a corner. Tsuji runs corner to corner to flying forearm smash! Tsuji then scoops, SLAMS, runs and SOMERSAULT SENTONS! Tsuji keeps going to SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Fans stay fired up as Tsuji gets Naito back up. Tsuji reels Naito in, but Naito blocks the suplex.
Tsuji gets Naito up but Naito knees free, wrenches an arm and throws back elbows. Naito CLUBS Tsuji, and SLAPS him! Tsuji SLAPS back, so Naito SLAPS again. It’s becoming a SLAP fight! Naito goes back to forearms, then back to back elbows. Tsuji CLOBBERS Naito with a point-blank clothesline! Tsuji gets Naito up, whips but Naito reverses again to back elbow Tsuji down. Naito basement dropkicks, but Tsuji is right up to SPEAR Naito down! Both men are down and fans fire up again. Naito crawls away while Tsuji sits up. Fans rally as Tsuji stands Naito up and throws more forearms. Naito hits back and starts to grin as the forearm brawl continues.
Tsuji fires off several forearms, Naito rebounds off ropes but into a forearm! Tsuji suplexes Naito high and hard! Fans fire up with Tsuji and he runs corner to corner, only for Naito to dodge and ENZIGURI! Naito whips, Tsuji reverses but Naito hits FLYING FOREARMS! Naito gets the legs and turns Tsuji for a BOSTON CRAB! Tsuji endures, powers up, but Naito sits deeper on the hold! Tsuji still works his way towards ropes, and gets the ropebreak! Fans cheer and Naito lets off as the ref counts. Naito stomps Tsuji, gives toying kicks, but Tsuji gets up to SLAP him! And SLAP! And SLAP! Naito fires off more forearms! But Tsuji still SLAPS!
Tsuji runs, gets around the elbow, and twists into a sunset flip! TWO, Naito has a prawn hold, TWO and Tsuji has the sunset flip again! TWO, and fans cheer that close call! Tsuji runs in but Naito back elbows! Tsuji staggers but he reels back, only for Naito to ENZIGURI him down first! Naito gets the legs again, and turns him for a LION TAMER! Tsuji endures this partial turn Crab, but he’s caught! Tsuji TAPS, Naito wins!
Winner: Tetsuya Naito, by submission
Another Young Lion with a lot of heart, but he couldn’t keep up with NJPW’s first IWGP Heavyweight & Intercontinental Double Champion. Naito wants Tsuji to get up and he does. Naito tells Tsuji, “Hasta luego. Adios.” In other words, he’ll see Tsuji whenever he gets back. Will this Young Lion grow into a king of the jungle?
Six Man Tag: Toru Yano & Roppongi 3K VS Chase Owens, El Phantasmo & Taiji Ishimori!
Chaos’ Clown Prince lost his KOPW trophy, while Sho & Yoh are still stinging from yesterday’s loss to Suzuki-Gun, as well as the verbal lashing El Desperado gave them. Can Yano and RPG3K get back in the game against the current provisional Mr. KOPW and the reigning Junior Heavyweight Tag champs?
Chase taunts Yano with the trophy, as well as with the idea that he’d throw it into the crowd. The ref does his check and Yano gets impatient. But Chase wants to make sure Yano has no tricks up his sleeves, or his tights. The trios sort out, Bullet Club Low Sweets, and Bone Soldier Reborn starts with High Voltage. Fans rally as Taiji and Sho circle, feel out the grapple, and each man tries to get inside the other’s guard. They clinch, go around and around, then back off. Taiji shoots in to waistlock but Sho has an arm. Sho pries at the waistlock, wrenches through and wristlocks. Taiji rolls, spins, and wrenches back. Taiji goes from wristlock to hammerlock but Sho slips through to headlock.
Taiji pries at the hold but Sho cranks harder. Taiji powers out but Sho runs him over! Yoh hops in and gets Taiji up to double whip. They get ready for the combo but Taiji holds ropes and ELP trips up Sho! Taiji BOOTS Yoh but Yoh comes back, only to be dumped out! ELP throws hands on Sho, Chase knocks Yano off the apron, and Bullet Club goes after Chaos on the outside. ELP fish hooks Sho’s face, Chase rakes Yano’s face while holding him down against railing. ELP bumps Sho off apron and Taiji hoists Yoh up to drop him on railing! Fans rally up for Chaos while a ring count starts. Taiji puts Yoh in at 7 of 20 while ELP POSTS Sho.
Taiji chokes Yoh, lets off as the ref reprimands, but gets Yoh back up. Taiji DECKS Yoh, whips him to the corner, and Yoh runs into boots from ELP and Chase! Tag to ELP, he mocks Yoh just like Desperado did yesterday. Yoh gets mad and throws forearms but ELP DECKS him! Fans rally but ELP puts Yoh on ropes to stand on him and choke him! Chase also scuffs Yoh with kicks as the ref counts. ELP stops at 4, tags Chase in, and Chase CLAWS Yoh! Sho and Yano protest but Chase whips Yoh to a corner. Chase runs in to forearm smash, then reels Yoh in for a LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Tag to Taiji and he goes up top, and Bullet Club fires up as Taiji leaps, to CLAW Yoh’s back!
Sho and Yano protest more, but Taiji tags ELP and ELP goes up top. Chase gives ELP some help balancing on the post, ELP double jumps, to CLAW Yoh’s back! ELP struts about, does some jumping jacks just to show off, and then he taunts Yano and Sho. ELP puts Yoh in a corner, Taiji gets in and they mug Yoh, but Sho points it out. ELP DECKS Sho, then he and Taiji double whip Yoh corner to corner. Taiji whips ELP in but Yoh avoids the splash to then dropkick Taiji! Yoh turns around and back drops ELP! Fans fire up as Yoh crawls for his corner, hot tag to Sho! Sho rallies on the tag champs, Taiji reverses a whip but Sho puts him on the apron.
Sho sweeps the legs, runs and dropkicks Taiji down! Chase kicks Sho, whips but Sho reverses and Yano trips Chase! Sho runs in at ELP to corner clothesline! Sho wrenches ELP, fires off KICKS, and then takes aim to KICK him down! Cover, TWO! Fans rally behind Sho as ELP crawls. Sho gets ELP in a waistlock but ELP resists the lift. ELP backs Sho into a corner, elbows him back, then CHOPS him! ELP whips corner to corner, Sho reverses, ELP goes up and over. ELP ducks, dodges, springboards and CROSSBODIES! TWO, ELIP somersaults to the LIONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Fans rally while ELP grows frustrated. ELP gets Sho up, spins him to a straitjacket and torture rack.
Sho slips out to pump handle and waistlock, WRIST CLUTCH GERMAN! Fans fire up as Sho and ELP crawl. Hot tags to Yano and Chase! Yano swings on Chase but Chase knees low. Chase steals a page out of Yano’s book by untying a corner pad! But Yano does that with the opposite corner! And Yano’s faster at it so he already has his weapon of choice! Yano SMACKS Chase right in the back! Then whips him at the bare corner! Chase copies Yano again as he goes up the corner. Yano runs in, Chase steps aside and Yano hits bare buckles! Chase rolls Yano up, TWO!! Chase keeps focus as he watches Yano, but Yano dodges the knee!
Yano waistlocks, Chase elbows free, but Yano pulls Chase’s hair to keep him from running away. Chase breaks free, Yano blocks his kick, but Chase rakes eyes! Chase runs, into an atomic drop! Yano gets around to hit another atomic drop! Chase spasms as he falls to his knees, and Yano tags in Yoh! Yoh dropkicks Chase to ropes, then whips him. Chase reverses but Yano hits FLYING FOREARMS! Yoh kips up, Chase kicks back. Chase CHOPS Yoh to a corner, whips him corner to corner but Yoh reverses, and Chase hits bare buckles! Sho gets in and intercepts Taiji with a forearm, then RPG3K coordinates.
Yoh whips Sho in to clothesline Chase, then Sho becomes the step for Yoh to hit POETRY IN MOTION! Yoh gets Chase around and Sho is on guard, FALCON ARROW! Yoh covers, but ELP still gets in to break it! ELP kicks SHo, ROCKS him with a forearm, then ROCKS Yoh! ELP fires off forearms on RPG3K only to run into their DOUBLE KNEES! DOUBLE SUPERKICKS for Taiji, and RPG3K give Chase the BACKSTABBER to SHOTGUN BOOT! Fans fire up with Sho & Yoh as Chase staggers, but Chase fights off 3K! Chase gets Yoh for a dragon sleeper, catches Sho as he runs in, and he hits an URENAGE REVERSE DDT COMBO!
Chase gets Yoh back up, reels him in, PACKAGE DRIVER!! Cover as ELP keeps Sho away, Bullet Club wins!
Winners: Chase Owens, El Phantasmo & Taiji Ishimori, by pinfall
The Crown Jewel shines bright as he grabs the victory for his team! ELP throws the buckle pad at Sho just to add insult to injury, and then Chase gets the mic. “Hey, Yano. Come in here. Say ‘I quit.'” Say it, or they break the trophy! They mug Yano but Yano fights back! Chase blocks the low blow to LOW BLOW Yano! Chase then puts Yano in a figure four STF! Bullet Club continues to threaten the “life” of the KOPW 2021 trophy as Yano suffers. Say it, Yano! Say you quit! ELP claims Yano said he quit, and Chase lets Yano go.
Will Chase give Yano a chance to win back the trophy? Or will he want someone else to step up to the plate in the MetLife Dome?
Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS EVIL, Dick Togo & Yujiro Takahashi!
Bushi, Sanada and Shingo Takagi were again on the winning side against Bullet Club yesterday, but the callous King of Darkness attacked Takagi with the IWGP World Heavyweight belt! And worse than that, part of the belt broke off! Will the Dragon get his revenge for that? Or will the #EvilDickPimps make the end of the weekend Too Sweet?
As Takagi makes his entrance, he holds the belt up to show the plate that fell off because of Evil. Evil grins, clearly proud of that. The introductions don’t even finish as Takagi rushes Evil! Sanada and Bushi take care of Dick and Yujiro while Takagi fires off boxing elbows in a corner! The bell rings to get this on record as Takagi stomps a mudhole into Evil! The ref reprimands, Takagi lets off and gets Evil up. Dick whips Bushi into railing just as Takagi throws Evil out! Takagi CLUBS Evil against railing, then runs him around the way to whip HARD into railing! Takagi drives elbows into Evil’s shoulder, then fires up. Fans cheer him on as he gets Evil up by his hair.
Takagi brings Evil around to put in the ring while Bushi hits Dick back. Takagi stomps Evil, whips him to ropes and KNEES him against them. Takagi then runs to run Evil over! Fans fire up and rally for “TA-KA-GI!” “LIJ!” as he drops a senton! Cover, TWO! Takagi gets Evil back up and signals to Sanada. Sanada sticks a boot out and Takagi bumps Evil off it! Sanada stomps Evil down and keeps him from his corner with a headlock punch! Sanada waistlocks, Evil resists the lift to switch, but Sanada resists the lift to trip Evil up. Evil kicks Sanada away, Sanada rebounds and cartwheels around Evil to then dropkick him! Evil stays up so Sanada dropkicks him again!
Evil is still up, Sanada dropkicks again and finally knocks him over! Evil bails out, Sanada aims, but Evil avoids the Plancha! After all, these two used to be tag partners, Evil knows Sanada’s moves. And then Evil RAMS Sanada into the railing, at the timekeeper’s area! Abe-san is knocked over again! Meanwhile, Yujiro and Dick go after Takagi and Bushi on the other side of the ring. Evil slips away from Sanada and the ref to untie the blue buckle pad. The ring count starts on Sanada while he’s down, and fans rally up as it climbs. It passes 10 of 20, then reaches 15 before Sanada gets up. Sanada drags himself over, gets on the apron at 18, but Evil BLASTS him off!
Sanada hits railing, and the timekeeper’s table! Abe-san and even the Young Lions helping him are all knocked down! Takagi hurries over to check on everyone, and fans rally up again as another ring count begins. Evil smirks as he paces, and someone throws a show into the ring? Is that Abe-san’s shoe? Sanada gets up at 13 and in at 14, so Evil gets him up to whip into the bare buckles! The Bullet Club classic hits! Tag to Dick, he stomps Sanada around then throws haymakers. Dick headlocks and punches Sanada down! The ref reprimands and fans rally as Dick grinds Sanada’s shoulder. Dick wrenches to a hammerlock but Sanada slips around to put it on Dick!
Dick drop toeholds to get the armlock back! Dick snapmares Sanada, runs and FIST DROPS! Cover, TWO! Bullet Club argues the count and Yujiro tags in. Yujiro drags Sanada from his corner to rain down fists. Yujiro sits Sanada up to basement boot! Cover, TWO! Fans rally for “SA-NA-DA!” “LIJ!” Yujiro slaps Sanada around but Sanada fires forearms. Yujiro catches Sanada’s rolling elbow into a dragon sleeper, but Sanada turns around to suplex. Yujiro resists, then BITES Sanada’s hand! Sanada BITES back! The ref reprimands, but men break free of the other’s jaw and back away to opposite ends. Yujiro runs at Sanada but Sanada dropkicks his legs out! Hot tag to Bushi!
Bushi hurries to the neutral corner and the top rope, then missile dropkicks Yujiro down! Fans fire up for the Bushirooni, but Dick and Evil attack! They whip Bushi to a corner, Dick runs in but Bushi steps aside to then trap Dick in the corner. Evil runs in but Bushi boots him away. Bushi headlocks Dick, and he hits a BULLDOG DROPKICK COMBO on Evil and Dick! Bushi DECKS Yujiro off the apron, runs and DIVES! Direct hit and Yujiro hits railing! Fans fire up with Bushi and he gets Yujiro back in the ring. Bushi stomps Yujiro, drags him up, spins him around and hits a DDT! Cover, TWO!
Bushi keeps focus as he gets Yujiro up, but Yujiro spins out of the fisherman. Each man evades the other, Yujiro blocks a kick and throws Bushi down to then basement boot! Yujiro tags Evil and he drags Bushi away from the LIJ corner. Evil whips, Bushi reverses but Evil reverses back and Bushi hits bare buckles! Evil fisherman’s but Bushi resists and hits FISHERMAN’S SCREW! Fans fire up as both men are down, but Bushi makes it to the corner! Hot tag to Takagi! Takagi runs at Evil in the corner, blocks Evil’s boot and clotheslines! Takagi whips Evil corner to corner and runs into clothesline again! Then Takagi suplexes Evil high and hard! Cover, TWO!
Fans fire up with Takagi as he dares Evil to get up. Evil slowly rises, Takagi stands him up but Evil rakes eyes! The ref reprimands, Evil lets off and Takagi kicks. Evil blocks to hand it to the ref, but Takagi’s ready and blocks the mule kick! Takagi has the ref let go of his foot, and he ROCKS Evil with a forearm! Takagi runs but Evil dumps him out! Dick is there to whip Takagi into more railing! Dick puts Takagi in and Evil covers, TWO! Fans rally up for “TA-KA-GI!” but Evil hits a FISHERMAN’S BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Evil is furious but he kicks at Takagi. Evil eggs Takagi on and dares him to hit back. Takagi gets up but Evil pokes him in the eye!
Evil whips Takagi corner to corner then runs in, but Takagi dodges! Bushi runs in to back elbow! Sanada adds his own back elbow, then Takagi clotheslines! LIJ pinballs Evil around with kicks and clotheslines, and Bushi tops it off with a BACKSTABBER! Takagi SLIDING LARIATS! Cover, Dick and Yujiro break it! Sanada and Bushi throw those two out and Takagi fires up with “OI! OI! OI!” Fans rally up with him as he gets Evil up. Takagi pump handles but Evil fights off the lift with elbows. Takagi headbutts, runs, but Evil ducks Pumping Bomber! Dick trips Takagi then tags in! Yujiro also gets in and they mug Takagi in a corner.
Dick and Yujiro double whip Takagi to a corner and Dick runs in to back elbow! Yujiro runs in to BOOT, and Evil runs in to corner clothesline! Evil hits Takagi with a FISHERMAN BUSTER! Dick adds a BACK SENTON! Cover, Bushi and Sanada break it! Evil and Yujiro throw them out and Dick drags Takagi up. Dick throws hands but Takagi grits his teeth and powers up! Takagi ROCKS Dick, runs, but Yujiro gets a cheap shot in! The ref reprimands but Yujiro gets in with his pimp cane. The ref stops him there but Dick uses the SPOILER CHOKER on Takagi! Takagi fights up and pries it off to fireman’s carry Dick! Evil runs in but Takagi swings Dick’s boots into him!
Takagi then shoves Dick into Evil, and DOUBLE PUMPING BOMBERS! Sanada gets in to throw Yujiro out and Bushi gets in, Bushi and Sanada DOUBLE PLNACHA Evil and Yujiro! Takagi corner clotheslines Dick, then PUMPING BOMBERS on the return! Cover, LIJ wins!
Winners: Los Ingobernables de Japon, by pinfall
For the third time in a row, LIJ beats Bullet Club! And Takagi makes sure to get the title belt before Evil can do something. Evil says it won’t be Takagi’s after Wrestle Grand Slam, but will he strike out there like he has this weekend?
NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships: Chaos VS Minoru Suzuki & Dangerous Tekkers!
Tomohiro Ishii, Hirooki Goto & Yoshi-Hashi have built quite the streak in defending these titles and don’t look to stop now! On top of that, the Fierce Warrior and Head Hunter are going for the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships at Wrestle Grand Slam MetLife! Will Chaos still reign in the Summer Struggle? Or will the Meanest Man in the World help the Sliest Wrestler in the World and the Submission Master each become double champions?
The introductions are made, Ishii gets in Suzuki’s face but Suzuki slaps Ishii’s belt away. Red Shoes gathers the belts up, presents them, and teams sort out. Suzuki tells Goto and Hashi to get out of the ring because he wants Ishii! Fans rally up already for “I-SHI-I!” “SU-ZU-KI!” and that’s our starting two! The bell rings, the two rush each other and the forearms start flying already! Fans rally as Suzuki laughs. Ishii fires off many forearms, so does Suzuki, and now Ishii eggs Suzuki on. They keep going back and forth, leaning into each other’s shots! Forearm after forearm, Suzuki finally ROCKS Ishii! But Ishii comes back to ROCK Suzuki! And again!
Suzuki ROCKS Ishii again! Ishii ROCKS Suzuki again! Suzuki ROCKS Ishii and roars! Ishii throws forearms, Suzuki hits back, the flurry continues! Suzuki ROCKS Ishii and he starts falling over! Suzuki gets Ishii to the corner and Taichi tags in. Taichi reels Ishii in but Ishii turns it around to put him in the Chaos corner! Goto tags in and they mug Taichi. Goto CLUBS Taichi but Taichi CHOKES Goto! Hashi gets in and he chokes Taichi! Goto also chokes Taiji and the two back him down to the ropes. They double whip and double shoulder Taichi down, then coordinate for the hip toss senton! ZSJ gets in but he gets mugged! Ishii joins in and Chaos hammers ZSJ!
Goto knocks Suzuki off the apron, Hashi gets Taichi up and Chaos hammers him, too! Fans cheer on Chaos, and Goto stomps Taichi. Goto CLUBS Taichi to the corner, stomps him down, but lets off as Red Shoes counts. Goto gives Taichi more stomps but Taichi gets up to kick back! Goto stomps Taichi back down, digs his boot in, then tags in Hashi. Hashi stomps Taichi now, then drags him up to CLUB him. Taichi goes after Goto with a choke! Hashi drags Taichi away with a sleeper! Cover, TWO! Another try, TWO! Another try, TWO! Hashi keeps his cool and tags in Ishii. Ishii stomps Taichi then drags him up to CHOP him!
Hashi and Goto hold Taichi in the corner but Suzuki runs in to attack Ishii! Ishii hits back and throws Suzuki out, to then CHOP Taichi down. Suzuki throws a fit outside but Goto tags in. Goto snapmares Taichi while Ishii eggs Suzuki on. Goto KICKS Taichi, covers, TWO! Goto keeps Taichi down with a chinlock but Taichi hits back from below. Goto drives an elbow into Taichi’s forehead! Goto stomps Taichi, drags him up and whips him to ropes. Taichi holds ropes, boots back, then runs, only for Goto to run him over! ZSJ gets in, Goto kicks but ZSJ blocks it! Suzuki gets in to STO Goto down, and both he and ZSJ have Goto’s legs for DOUBLE HEEL HOOKS! And Taichi adds a choke!
Red Shoes reprimands but ZSJ and Suzuki let off to go BOOT Hashi and Ishii off the apron! Taichi keeps choking Goto, then kicks Goto out of the ring. Suzuki and ZSJ throw Ishii and Hashi into railing! Ishii comes back to fire forearms on Suzuki so Suzuki hits back! Suzuki DECKS Ishii and Ishii falls against railing! ZSJ tortures Goto with a toehold, then Taichi gets Goto up to whip into railing. Taichi uses camera cable to choke Goto! Red Shoes can’t keep up with everything so Taichi gets away with it. Ishii and Suzuki brawl as the ring count starts and Suzuki DECKS Ishii again. Taichi gets in the ring at 6 but Goto is still down at 10 of 20.
ZSJ gets Goto up so that he and Suzuki can pinball Goto between forearms and uppercuts! The count is 15 of 20, Goto staggers as he gets mugged, but he slips away at 18! Suzuki-Gun keeps him stuck at the apron and Taichi stands on Goto’s head. Tag to Suzuki, Suzuki gives Goto toying kicks but fans rally up for Chaos. Suzuki stomps Goto but Goto still gets up. Suzuki gives him more toying kicks but Goto CHOPS back! Suzuki eggs him on so Goto CHOPS more. Suzuki throws body shots then DECKS Goto! Suzuki kicks Goto at the ropes, digs his boots in, but Red Shoes reprimands and counts. Suzuki lets off and ZSJ tags in.
Suzuki and ZSJ get Goto up and they wrench the arm over and over, handing it off back and forth. Suzuki then holds the arm out and ZSJ BOOTS it! Cover, TWO! ZSJ clamps onto the arm and drags Goto to the corner. Taichi tags in, the Tekkers mug Goto, then Taichi CLUBS Goto on the back. Taichi gives toying kicks now and even pushes Goto around. Goto gets up and CHOPS back! And fires off forearms! Goto runs corner to corner but Taichi dodges and GAMANGIRIS! Fans fire up and rally as Taichi drags Goto from the corner. Cover, TWO! Taichi keeps cool while fans rally, but Goto is dead weight as Taichi tries to lift him.
Taichi stomps Goto around then gets him up. Tag to Suzuki, Taichi stomps and Suzuki kicks Goto. Suzuki wrenches Goto’s arm and drags him down into a Rings of Saturn! Goto endures but Ishii gets in to kick at Suzuki. Suzuki gets annoyed and lets Goto go to DECK Ishii. Then he BOOTS Hashi down just because! Suzuki gets Goto up to SLAP him! Tag to ZSJ, he drags Goto around and uses a cravat for a neck wrench. Fans rally as Goto endures, but ZSJ cranks the hold harder. Goto gets up but ZSJ blocks the scoop! Goto keeps trying, ZSJ hooks a leg with a leg, but Goto throws body shots. ZSJ headlocks, Goto powers out and Goto CLOBBERS ZSJ with an elbow!
Fans fire back up and Goto tags in Ishii! The Stone Pitbull runs at ZSJ, ZSJ dodges, and both men go on a string of ducking and dodging strikes! Ishii spins ZSJ around to suplex but ZSJ slips out for a sleeper! Ishii slips out the side to shove ZSJ to ropes. ZSJ boots but Ishii dodges, only for ZSJ to dodge him. ZSJ comes back but Ishii runs him over! Taichi runs in but Ishii feeds him to Hashi’s forearm! Ishii and Hashi knock Suzuki off the apron and fans rally up behind them. Ishii stalks ZSJ to a corner, gets him up and CHOPS him! Ishii stands ZSJ up to CHOP him again, and again! ZSJ sits down and Ishii eggs him on.
Ishii slaps ZSJ around, gets him back up, but ZSJ EuroUppers! Ishii doesn’t budge, and he CHOPS ZSJ off his feet again! Fans cheer and rally up for “I-SHI-I!” “ZSJ!” as Ishii whips ZSJ corner to corner. ZSJ goes up and comes back to EuroUpper! Ishii swings into a COBRA TWIST! But he powers out to hip toss! ZSJ bridges up to get the cravat but Ishii blocks the snapmare! Ishii waistlocks but ZSJ resists the lift to wrench, wrangle and hammerlock STOMP the arm! Fans fire up as both men are down! ZSJ gets after Ishii’s arm, and he twists the wrist, bends the fingers, and pushes the arm into another hammerlock, to STOMP it from the other angle!
Red Shoes checks on Ishii but he refuses to quit here. ZSJ kicks Ishii around, isolates the bad arm again and gets Ishii up for more wrenching and twisting. Ishii ROCKS ZSJ but that was with the bad arm! ZSJ laughs at Ishii but Ishii hits him again! Again, that’s the bad arm! But Ishii fights through the pain to ROCK ZSJ! ZSJ comes back to BOOT the bad arm, but Ishii eggs him on! ZSJ BOOTS the arm, wrenches to an ELBOW BREAKER, but Ishii reels him in! ZSJ fights the back suplex then resists a standard suplex. ZSJ wrenches an arm but Ishii swings on ZSJ, only for ZSJ to catch the arm and spin through to an ARMBAR TAKEDOWN!
But Hashi dropkicks the hold apart! Suzuki BOOTS Hashi, Goto DECKS Suzuki, but Taichi kicks and throws Goto out! The Tekkers regroup as fans rally back up. Taichi gets Ishii up, feeds him to ZSJ’s EuroUpper and adds a mule kick. ZSJ gets Ishii in an IRON OCTOPUS while Taichi goes out after Goto. ZSJ shifts his grip around on the hold but Ishii powers out to throw ZSJ down! Fans continue to rally as ZSJ aims from a corner. ZSJ runs, Ishii avoids the Penalty Kick, and then Ishii clubs the roundhouse kick away! But that was the bad arm again! Ishii swings but ZSJ roundhouses the clothesline away! ZSJ wrenches to PELE the arm!
Ishii comes back but ZSJ avoids the sliding lariat! ZSJ boots but Ishii blocks to spin ZSJ to a GERMAN SUPLEX! Both men are down and the fans are thunderous now! Ishii and ZSJ crawl, hot tags to Hashi and Taichi! Taichi boots but Hashi forearms! Taichi boots again, Hashi forearms again! And again! Hashi fires more forearms, Taichi kicks Hashi’s leg, repeat! Hashi gets the edge, but Taichi KICKS him in the chest! Taichi runs but into a CHOP! Hashi runs and avoids the clothesline to hit the HEADHUNTER! Fans fire up with Hashi and he gets Taichi up to whip him to a corner. Hashi runs in to CHOP Taichi, then brings him around to CHOP! And mule kick, and NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!
Fans rally hard as ever as Hashi brings Taichi back up. Hashi scoops but Taichi slips out ot waistlock. Hashi switches, Taichi resists the lift to PELE! Suzuki and ZSJ blast the Chaos corner! ZSJ is after Ishii, Suzuki has Goto, ZSJ wrenches Ishii’s arm for an ELBOW BREAKER! Suzuki wraps Goto’s arm around railing to pull it! In the ring, Hashi gets to a corner and Taichi runs in to clothesline! Taichi rolls Hashi to KICK him in the back, but Hashi gets right up! Hashi forearms but Taichi GAMANGIRIS! Taichi drags Hashi back up while Goto and Suzuki brawl. Taichi reels Hashi in, but Hashi RANAS the bomb away!
Taichi is back up but Hashi blocks the buzzsaw! Hashi spins Taichi for a BACKSTABBER, into the BUTTERFLY LOCK! Suzuki tries to get in but Goto anchors him to the outside! Taichi endures, flails, reaches, fights up to his feet, but Hashi wrangles him back down! Ishii keeps ZSJ away now but ZSJ RAMS him into railing! ZSJ gets in to get Hashi with a sleeper! Suzuki knocks Goto away as Hashi elbows free. Hashi runs at Taichi but into SEITEIJYUJIRYOU! ZSJ drags Ishii down into an omoplata, and Suzuki has Goto in a standing armbar! Suzuki-Gun has TRIPLE SUBMISSIONS!
Hashi endures, fans rally, and Red Shoes checks on him. Taichi cranks the stretch plum more but Hashi refuses to quit! Taichi cranks harder again and Hashi starts to fade! Red Shoes checks on Hashi as Ishii and Goto try to fight free, and Hashi uses a last gasp to get the ROPEBREAK! Fans cheer, ZSJ and Suzuki let Ishii and Goto go, and Taichi eventually does. Fans rally up but Taichi powers up. Hashi slowly rises, Taichi runs, but Hashi ducks Ax Bomber to come back, but into a choke grip! CHOKE SLAM!! Cover, TWO!! Hashi survives and fans are thunderous! Taichi gets up and OFF COME THE PANTS! Taichi powers up and aims from the corner, Hashi rises, but Hashi SUPERKICKS first!
Both men are down again as fans continue to rally. Taichi gets to a corner, and Suzuki’s laugh echoes in the background as he surely goes after Ishii again. Hashi gets up, runs in, but Taichi dodges, and ZSJ runs in with a EuroUpper! Feed to Taichi’s BIG ELBOW! ZSJ gets Hashi back up, Taichi aims, but Goto clobbers Taichi! ZSJ runs in but into a fireman’s carry! ZSJ slips off, rushes Goto again but Hashi SUPERKICKS him down! Goto gets Taichi up, he and Hashi get him up, but Taichi fights free! HOOK KICK for Goto! But Ishii gets in and gets around Taichi to back suplex! Suzuki BOOTS Ishii down, but Hashi LARIATS Suzuki! Fans are electric as all six men are down!
ZSJ flops out of the ring, Suzuki’s on the apron, Goto is near the Chaos corner and Ishii, Hashi and Taichi are all by a neutral corner. The fans continue to keep that high pace as Hashi stirs. Hashi gets up while Ishii bails out, and Hashi crawls to the opposite corner from Taichi. Taichi slowly gets up, Hashi runs in but Taichi boots him! Taichi runs at Hashi, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Neither man falls and Hashi roars! Taichi runs, DOUBLE LARIATS collide again! Hashi falls over, the Ax Bomber wins out! Taichi runs again, but Hashi LARIATS him down!! Cover, TWO!! Fans are thunderous as Hashi gets Taichi back up, fisherman, KUMAÂ BUSTER?! Cover and Goto keeps ZSJ out, TWO?!?!
Hashi is shocked but the fans are fired up again as he gets Taichi back up. Full nelson and spin, but no Karma! Taichi spins around to Alabama lift, but Hashi fights free! Taichi BOOTS, Hashi CHOPS! Taichi roars, gets around, DANGEROUS SAIDO!! Cover, TWO!?!? Now Hashi shocks Suzuki-Gun! Suzuki gets away from Ishii to get on the corner and Taichi hurries over. Hot tag to Suzuki and he runs at Hashi in the corner, to BOOT him! Snapmare and run for a PENALTY KICK! Cover, TWO!! Suzuki keeps focus and drags Hashi back up. Hashi throws forearms but Suzuki doesn’t flinch. Suzuki ROCKS Hashi, whips, but Hashi holds ropes!
Suzuki CHOPS him, whips, but Hashi reverses to LARIAT! Both men are down and Goto reaches out. Hot tag to Goto! Goto fires off on Suzuki, whips him corner to corner and hits MURAMASA! Then BULLDOG! Cover, TWO! Goto gets Suzuki up to a fireman’s carry but Suzuki slips out to fire off slapping palm strikes! Suzuki runs, Goto follows, Suzuki dodges and gets around to a SLEEPER! Hashi gets in just as Suzuki spins Goto around, and SUPERKICKS Suzuki down! Taichi gets in, he dodges Hashi but then Hashi dodges Taichi, they both run the ropes for DOUBLE LARIATS!! Both men slump down and roll to the apron as Goto and Suzuki rise.
Goto gets Suzuki up to throw forearms, but Suzuki throws them back. They go back and forth, and fans rally as they pick up speed. Things start to slow down but neither backs down as Suzuki ROCKS Goto. Goto eggs Suzuki on so Suzuki ROCKS him even harder! Suzuki eggs Goto on now, so Goto ROCKS him right back! Suzuki laughs that off and ROCKS Goto! Red Shoes reprimands Suzuki using closed fists but Suzuki shoves him away. Suzuki reels back for another closed fist, but Goto headbutts the punch! And again! Goto runs, Suzuki follows and DROPKICKS Goto right down! Fans rally, Suzuki fires himself up, and he gets Goto back up for a SLEEPER!
Suzuki drags Goto up with the sleeper hold, Taichi keeps Hashi outside as Goto turns purple! Red Shoes checks, Goto is fading, but Suzuki spins Goto around! Gotch hold, but Goto fights the piledriver! Goto spins out, gets Suzuki in the dragon sleeper, but Suzuki spins through to facelock and roll back, but Goto gets a facelock in return! REVERSE GTR!! Both men are down but ZSJ gets in! ZSJ drags Goto up into a facelock! Ishii runs in but ZSJ boots his clothesline! ZSJ gets Ishii in a sleeper with modified arm trap! ZSJ shouts to Suzuki as he spins Ishii, but Ishii suplexes instead! Ishii shouts to Goto and Goto rises!
Goto drags Suzuki up, but Suzuki HEADBUTTS! Goto fires up but Suzuki DECKS him! Suzuki gets Goto in the SLEEPER! Spin, but Goto fireman’s carries?! But Suzuki clasps hands to resist the Ushigoroshi and squeeze Goto in a modified sleeper! But Goto powers through! USHIGOROSHI!! Suzuki gets up!? But Ishii LARIATS him down! ZSJ gets back in but Ishii DECKS him! Goto sits Suzuki up, Hashi runs, METEORA! Hashi intercepts Taichi as Goto gets Suzuki in a dragon sleeper! Hashi helps out, G Y W!!! Cover, Chaos wins!!
Winners: Chaos, by pinfall (still NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champions)
Korakuen was already rocking, but they’re even more amped that Ishii-Goto-Hashi retain! Red Shoes raises their hands in victory, and Hashi still wants to throw it in Taichi’s face. Taichi refuses to face Hashi at first, but then Goto and Hashi hold up their Six Man belts. The Tekkers get their IWGP tag belts and we’re back to these two teams talking some smack. Taichi mockingly pats Hashi’s head and ZSJ sarcastically compliments them on a “good job.” ZSJ then gets attitude with Ishii but leaves with Taichi all the same.
Goto gets the mic to declare, “We destroyed Suzuki-Gun!” And he tells the fans thanks for being with them through these eight defenses. But wait, LIJ shows up! Bushi, Sanada and Naito join Chaos in the ring, and Bushi gets a mic. “Champions, congratulations.” But Bushi isn’t satisfied. Chaos talks about defending those titles forever, so they should be up for giving LIJ a chance at revenge. Fans like the sound of that! Goto talks it over with Hashi and Ishii, and a decision is reached: OK! They will give LIJ their shot. Chaos holds up the belts, and Ishii gets in Sanada’s face. Sanada keeps his cool, Naito grins at Hashi, and LIJ take their leave.
Goto gets back on the mic to say, “As champions, we take on any challengers!” He also says he’s so pumped right now, he probably won’t get any sleep tonight. But he vows that he and Hashi will win those IWGP tag titles, so he asks the fans to please support them. And lastly, he wants this to close out as usual, especially since Hashi didn’t get to say anything last time. “Yoshi-Hashi, tell ’em how you feel!” Fans cheer and Hashi says that LIJ is coming for them, but they clearly forgot what Hashi usually says. Hashi will say it again: The NEVER Six Man titles are NEVER changing hands, because Chaos will defend them… FOREVER!
Mic drop from the Head Hunter, but Chaos has a busy schedule ahead of them! Can they get past LIJ 3v3 before the Triple Threat Tag at the MetLife Dome?
My Thoughts:
In a surprising twist, even to myself, I did the whole event! It was a very good event, and we got very good showings from the Young Lions against two top names. Obviously the Young Lions weren’t going to win here, but winning wasn’t really the point of these send-off matches. I don’t know where Uemura and Tsuji are going for excursion but each guy is going to be big when they return, I’m sure of it.
The rest of the night was Six Man Tag Night, in honor of the main event. Yano & RPG3K VS Bullet Club was very good, and naturally Bullet Club wins to put more pressure on Yano and RPG3K in their stories of regaining former glory. LIJ VS Bullet Club in another arrangement was great stuff, and I’m a little surprised LIJ keeps winning, but there’s a lot of time left between now and Wrestle Grand Slam MetLife so the overall series could go back and forth.
The main event was great stuff, but also really long. Chaos winning makes sense, crowning double tag champions in the Tekkers just seemed too much for Summer Struggle. LIJ wanting to get in on the Six Man titles again was a nice little surprise, and that’ll make for a very good match that will also act as a go-home to Wrestle Grand Slam’s Triple Threat Tag. At this point, it is too early to say if Goto-Hashi can pull off becoming double tag champions, but NJPW has really given them a strong run so it could be even just a little in their favor.
My Score: 8.9/10
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Can the Last Real Champion handle The Truth?
While the King & Queen of the Ring tournaments reach their semifinals, John Cena has his first match on SmackDown in years, against Ron Killings!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Queen of the Ring Semifinals: Asuka VS Alexa Bliss; Asuka wins and advances to Night of Champions.
- Aleister Black VS Kit Wilson; No Contest.
- King of the Ring Semifinals: Randy Orton VS Sami Zayn; Orton wins and advances to Night of Champions.
- Charlotte Flair VS Chelsea Green w/ The Secret Her-vice; Charlotte wins.
- Bronson Reed w/ Paul Heyman & Bron Breakker VS LA Knight; Knight wins, by disqualification.
- John Cena VS Ron Killings; Killings wins, by disqualification.
PLAY BY PLAY
LA Knight is here!
Grand Rapids fires up as the Mega Star marches right to the ring. Knight grabs a mic while the fans chant his name, and he says, “LEMME TALK TO YA!” The fans cheer, and Knight says, “Let’s just go ahead and rewind our mind a little bit. We go to back to Money in the Bank, Seth and his boys, they just happen to come down and screw this guy.” The fans boo that. Knight says usually, he lets things slide. But he just figured he couldn’t let it slide, so he made sure to screw on of Rollins’ boys in their title opportunity, King of the Ring. But then they came back, paid it back and screwed Knight outta KOTR, so he had to go and screw the other one over!
And it just has Knight thinking. Fans “YEAH!” and Knight says there is only one way this can go. He has gone back and forth between Raw and SmackDown, where it ends, nobody knows! Except Knight! He knows! He knows where this ends! The fans cheer that! And Knight says it ends with him and Rollins! And what better place than here? And what better time than now! Knight tells Rollins to come on out and talk to him! But “Ladies and gentlemen…” The fans boo as Paul Heyman walks out and gives his introductions. He serves as the Wise Man to Mr. Money in the Bank, Seth FREAKIN’ Rollins!
Heyman says you do not boo that name. And you screwed up your cue, so they’ll do this again. He serves as the Wise Man for Seth Freakin’ Rollins! The fans keep booing, Heyman wants to try again, but Knight says shut up and get to the point! Why is Heyman here?! Heyman walks to the ring and asks permission to step inside. The fans chant “O T C! O T C!” but Knight steps back. Heyman steps into the ring, and he says yes, there has been a lot of bad blood between Knight and Mr. MITB, Seth Freakin’ Rollins. However, Heyman happens to be, with all due respect to everyone here in Grand Rapids, Michigan…
The fans chant “C M PUNK!” at Heyman now and he frowns. Knight says Heyman has a lot of enemies. Heyman says he is the biggest LA Knight fan in all of WWE! Heyman’s been waiting a long time to say this: YEAH! Now, because of that, Seth Freakin’ Rollins (the fans boo again) has allowed Heyman to say to Knight, as a favor to Heyman… It is time for Knight to get the hell outta Grand Rapids, Michigan. Because if he does not, something really bad is going to happen to him before the end of the night. Have a nice evening. Heyman turns to go but the fans cheer Knight on. Knight says he couldn’t help but notice, but did you~ (poking fun at Heyman’s voice cracking) threaten Knight?
Because Knight wants to wrap his head around this. He’s heard Heyman say stuff like this before, because Heyman is a liar, a swindler, a grifter, a scammer and a schemer! Heyman leeches on to any talent that has a bit of hype, sucks ’em dry, then moves on to the next! Rollins just happens to be the latest in this. But where next? Who cares! But the bottom line is, Knight asked for Rollins but he got Heyman. And while he got Heyman, he got a Heyman out here talking all tough. So it has Knight thinking, he has a great idea.
Talking about wise man, wisdom, there was a point in time if Heyman had said something like that, a man like Knight would look at a “thing” like Heyman and punched his wisdom teeth down his throat! Knight won’t do that, yet. But here’s the deal: Heyman’s talking all tough, but if he can’t bring Rollins out here, then the only thing to do out here in Grand Rapids is Knight fighting Heyman here and now! The fans fire up for that! Knight asks if the fans want that, and they cheer! “HUH?” “YEAH!” “HUH?” “YEAH!” “YEAH!!” Knight promises he’ll turn around, take his vest off, and Heyman gets the first shot. He better make it good, or Knight will molly whop his ass right outta Grand Rapids!
The fans fire up as Knight does as promised. He turns around, his vest is off, but Heyman bails? The fans boo as the Wise Man doesn’t play along. Heyman says, “Remember when I told you to get the hell out of Grand Rapids or else something really bad is gonna happen to you before the end of the night? That wasn’t a prediction. That… was a spoiler!” Heyman throws down his mic, and here comes Bronson Reed & Bron Breakker! Rollins’ behemoths head to the ring, but Knight fires off on them first! The fans rally as Knight throws hands and feet, but then Bron TACKLES Knight! Bronson joins in and they mug Knight right out of the ring!
Bronson drags Knight up to TOSS him over barriers! Bron clears the desk, he wants Bronson to put Knight through it! But Knight has a chair! He JAMS Bron, JAMS Bronson, then SMACKS Bron and SMACKS Bronson! Knight gets in the ring, ready to hit whoever gets in! The fans cheer Knight but Heyman has Bron & Bronson stand down. Will Heyman have the henchmen try again before the end of tonight?
SmackDown returns and…
Heyman has Bron & Bronson calm down, they have this under control. It is all in their favor, and it always will be in their favor. That is the whole point behind this. Byron Saxton steps in and wants to talk to them, but Heyman has to hold Bron back like the dog he is! Heyman says no need to bite Byron. Byron apologizes, he has word from SmackDown GM, Nick Aldis, that Bronson Reed VS LA Knight is set for tonight. Heyman says okay, thank you, and goodbye. Byron leaves and Heyman smiles. He told them! Patience is not a virtue, it is strategy. Bronson smiles and nods. Will Auzsilla destroy LA here in Grand Rapids?
Queen of the Ring Semifinals: Asuka VS Alexa Bliss!
Two great returns to action through this tournament, and now they cross paths with each other. The Empress of Tomorrow overcame Ivy Nile, Raquel Rodriguez and Stephanie Vaquer while Lil’ Miss Bliss outsmarted Alba Fyre, Candice LeRae and Charlotte Flair. But whose comeback story overtakes the other’s here just one match away from Night of Champions?
The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, Alexa headlocks, but Asuka powers up and out. Alexa RAMS Asuka, Asuka roars, and the fans fire up as Asuka fires hands! Alexa blocks a kick to THROW Asuka down, then basement DROPKICK! The fans cheer as Asuka and Alexa reset. Alexa kicks, Asuka blocks and slips through to waistlock. Alexa elbows free, runs, but Asuka runs past her to then RUN her over! The fans fire up and Asuka runs in again, HIP ATTACK! Alexa falls to the floor and the fans fire up while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Asuka lets Alexa stay down while she soaks up the cheers. The ring count starts, Alexa rises, but Asuka goes out after her. Alexa slips inside and DROPKICKS Asuka’s leg! Asuka falls from the apron but she has to nod respect for that savvy move. Asuka steps back in at 6 of 10, and she resets with Alexa. They circle, feel things out, and tie up. Asuka wrenches and wristlocks, but Alexa rolls and wrenches to hammerlock. Alexa waistlocks, rolls Asuka, TWO! The two stand off again and they both nod respect. They reset, the fans rally up, and the two feel things out. Asuka trips Alexa, clamps on with a headlock, and she grinds Alexa down.
Alexa endures, Asuka turns her over to go after the arm, then she stands on Alexa’s arm. Alexa endures, Asuka shifts arms, but Alexa wrenches out to wrangle Asuka. Alexa shifts to a cording hold, but Asuka fights up and fires body shots. Alexa whips Asuka to a corner, but Asuka elbows her away! And BOOTS! Asuka goes up, leaps, and MISSILE DROPKICKS! Cover, TWO! Alexa stays in this but Asuka stays focused. Asuka drags Alexa around and gives her Kawada Kicks! SmackDown returns to single picture, and Asuka wrenches for a chicken wing! Alexa fights the Asuka Lock and JAWBREAKERS free! Alexa runs up to RUN Asuka over!
The fans rally as Alexa rallies, then hits a BLOCKBUSTER! The fans fire up as Alexa SLAPS, ROCKS, and KNEES Asuka down! Then SOMERSAULT SENTON! Cover, TWO! Asuka stays in this and Alexa grows frustrated. The fans rally while Alexa brings Asuka up. Asuka breaks free to URAKEN, SOBAT, FRONT KICK, and GERMAN SUPLEX! Alexa tumbles away, Asuka runs up, SLIDING KICK! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up as Asuka stands and takes aim. But Alexa ducks the buzzsaw! Cover, TWO! Alexa clinches, TWISTED- NO, Asuka rolls Alexa up! TWO! Alexa sits up, BUZZSAW! Cover, TWO!! Alexa survives but Asuka just fires up!
The fans rally as Asuka goes to the corner. Asuka climbs from the outside, and MISSILE- NO, Alexa dodges this time! Alexa kicks and DDTS! Cover, TWO! Asuka stays in this and the fans fire up! “This is Awesome!” as Alexa drags Asuka into the drop zone. Alexa goes up, up, and the fans fire up! TWISTED- NO, Asuka moves, so Alexa stops. Alexa won’t let Asuka sneak away, but then she gets caught in an ARMBAR!! Alexa flails, rolls, but ends up in an omoplata! RINGS OF SATURN!! Alexa fights around, pops her arm free for a cover, TWO!! Asuka reels Alexa in, NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!!
The fans fire up as Alexa stays in this! Asuka fires up, the fans are with her, and she runs up, only for Alexa to ROCK her with a right! Alexa puts Asuka in the Tree of Woe, and she DROPKICKS Asuka out of it! Alexa climbs back up, and TWISTED BLISSÂ onto knees!! Asuka still counters the moonsault, and hits the EMPRESS IMPACT!! Cover, Asuka wins!
Winner: Asuka, by pinfall (advances to Night of Champions)
The Empress says no one is ready for Asuka, and that has certainly been the case! But on Raw, we find out, will it be Jade Cargill or Roxanne Perez that meets Asuka in Saudi Arabia?
Jade Cargill, Mia Yim & B-Fab watch backstage.
And Fab says damn, Asuka just came back and she’s already making statements. Almost like she never left. Michin says maybe they need to make their own statements. They need to talk to Aldis about the tag titles. Fab agrees. Fab & Mia wish Jade luck before heading out. Byron walks in and asks if he can have a word. Jade says shoot. Byron says Asuka just advanced, but Jade has her match on Monday with Roxanne Perez. How does Jade feel about facing a talented competitor like Roxie? And how does she feel about the possibility of facing Asuka in the finals? Jade says “Rox” has potential. Roxie is quick and scrappy.
But she’s still trying to prove herself. And this isn’t a proving ground, this is a throne room, and Jade was built for royalty. As for Asuka, there’s a storm on the horizon. But news flash, Jade is that storm. This entire tournament wasn’t built for the future, but for a woman who can walk through fire, shatter glass ceilings, and take her crown on the way to the top. This Queen of the Ring, Jade isn’t just walking in to win. She’s here to reign. Will the Prodigy be washed away by the storm this Monday?
Alexa Bliss returns backstage.
And Chelsea Green finds her. Flanked by her Secret Her-vice, The Hot Mess asks, “Hey, little fu-fu, how’s your boo-boo?” Alexa asks back, “How’s yours?” Piper tells Chelsea not to get upset, Alexa is just jealous. Chelsea says this serves Alexa right. Chelsea should be Queen of the Ring, and she’d be building her parliament if not for Alexa! Oh, if she has that big of an issue, then try facing her in the ring. Chelsea says she will! But then Charlotte Flair walks in and says if anyone should’ve still been in this tournament, it’s her. But had Chelsea’s “replacement” tapped out sooner, maybe she would.
So here’s the deal: Charlotte will have a match made and tap Chelsea out instead. N-Not if Chelsea makes it a bank holiday! ROYAL DUTIES! NICHOLAS! Chelsea hurries away with the Secret Her-vice following, and Alexa tells Charlotte that she doesn’t need Charlotte’s help. Oh, that’s cute. Because Charlotte wasn’t helping Alexa. Charlotte leaves now, leaving Alexa to chew on that. Will The Queen chew up the Hot Mess and spit her out now that she has nothing better to do?
Aleister Black VS Kit Wilson!
The Dark Father is also directionless now that he is out of the King of the Ring tournament, but he never lets that bother him. Will he make himself the direction all roads lead when things #FadeToBlack? Or will Kit prove he can be Pretty Deadly all on his own?
Wait, who is attacking Kit? It’s R-TRUTH! But why’s Ron Killings going after Kit?! He POSTS Kit, drags him back out, and puts him in an STF!! The fans fire up and Kit taps, but it won’t matter when this isn’t a match! Killings lets Kit out of the hold and demands a mic. A mic is given, and Killings says, “Get John Cena out here now. I’m driving! On my terms! Cena, get out here!” The fans fire up and then Killings puts Kit back in the STF! Aleister is rather confused, but producers hurry out here to stop Truth. Truth lets Kit go, Jamie Noble asks Truth wait for the main event. Truth seethes, but he accepts the terms.
Killings leaves, walking right past Aleister. Will there be no denying The Truth when he finally gets his hands on the Last Real Champion?
Jamie Noble talks with Truth backstage.
Jamie says Truth has to calm down. Truth says he wants John Cena NOW! He’s driving! Yes, okay, but just wait. Truth promises that when he sees Cena, he is killing him tonight! Aleister steps in and asks Truth why he is getting involved in Aleister’s match. Truth says it wasn’t personal, it had nothing to do with Aleister. These two stare down, and then Damian Priest steps in. The Archer of Infamy has Aleister stand down. Truth is going through a lot, let Priest talk to him. Oh, of course. Aleister says, “Ron.” “Black.” Aleister leaves, Priest tells Truth that there’s no need for any of that. Priest gets Truth is frustrated, but he can’t just go beat up people for no reason.
Priest used to do that, and Truth was the guy there to make him smile. Truth made the world smile! All that anger and negativity, focus that on the match tonight. Focus that on John Cena. Go out there and handle business with Cena, then Priest and Truth can go downtown to celebrate. How’s that sound? Truth says sounds good, DP. They shake hands, and Priest heads out. Truth is still seething, but will he make sure it all explodes on Cena?
Cody Rhodes is here!
Grand Rapids sings along as The American Nightmare makes his way out, “WHOA~ OH~!” Cody gets his pyro, he high-fives fans in the front row, then looks closely at the King of the Ring’s crown. Cody goes to the ring and grabs the mic. He hears the fans cheer him on, but then Jey Uso is here! The fans fire up as Main Event Jey makes his way down through the crowd! A young fan joins in bouncing along, but so does all of Grand Rapids! Jey continues down the stands, finds another young fan, and they bounce along again. Jey then reaches ringside, high-fives the front row, and he joins Cody in the ring as we get the next wave of YEET!
Grand Rapids might want to YEET all night, but Jey hugs it out with Cody before he gets his own mic. The music dies down, the fans chant, “One More Time! One More Time!” and Cody says sure, one more is fine. Jey says okay, and yes, the fans get to YEET again! Jey says hey, Cody doesn’t even have to say nothing. They been in the trenches! “YEET!” Still in the trenches! “YEET!” From fighting The Bloodline… “YEET!” To winning tag titles… “YEET!” To finishing their stories at WrestleMania! “YEET!” They’ve both been to the mountaintop. “YEET!” But Cody, on Monday, there is only room for one of them.
The fans are intrigued, and Cody nods. Jey says there’s only one that can go. Cody VS Jey, Jey VS Cody, and Jey knows Cody will bring it. Jey has to get his, Uce. He has to, just like Cody has to get his. But that said, Uce, it ain’t personal. This all business. But that all said, too, Uce, on Monday, after they go to war, please believe that it will be four letters, one word, uh uh… YEET! Cody smiles and the fans cheer. They shake hands again, and wait! Here comes Sami Zayn! The fans cheer as the Great Liberator makes his way to the ring. Sami grabs a mic to say, “This is nice, isn’t it? I get to share the ring with two great friends.”
The fans applaud, and Sami says he is in the ring with two of the very best that this business has to offer! The fans cheer that, too! Sami says he’d be lying if he denied there was a part of him that sees the three of them in this ring, and notices how only one of them has never been world champion. Jey, Sami wants him to know, man to man, this year, Sami missed Mania. Sami had no reason to be in Las Vegas, but he got his ass on a plane to Vegas for one reason: To congratulate Jey the moment he won the World Heavyweight Championship! Sami loves Jey, and he is proud of him. And Cody, for years, everyone watched as Cody finished his story.
And when Cody did, he did the unthinkable and pinned Roman Reigns in the middle of this ring, Sami was the first one out here to congratulate Cody. Sami is so proud that Cody finished his story. So he hopes both men understand that now, it is time for Sami to finish HIS story! The fans cheer, but then here comes Randy Orton! The Viper looks at the crown, then goes to the ring. The fans sing along with Voices and Orton grabs himself a mic. “So Cody, same deal as last week but I’m gonna say it again. There is no line I will not cross, even if it means going through you, so that I can get to John Cena at SummerSlam, beat him, and get my FIFTEENTH world championship!”
The fans cheer, and Orton tells Jey, “Man, I respect the… Hell outta you, dude. Our families go way, way, way back. Nothing but love, dude. But if you’re standing across the ring from me at SummerSlam, it’s not gonna be four letters, one word. It’s gonna be three letters, one move.” The fans say it, “R K O!” And Orton says he not only speaks for himself but for everyone here in this arena when he says, and from the bottom of his heart, one day and one day soon, Sami Zayn will be world champion. But not at SummerSlam. Because tonight, Sami is on the receiving end of the three most dangerous letters in sports entertainment: R K O.
Orton drops the mic, and it is time to put those words into action. Will it be the Legend Killer or the Underdog from the Underground that heads for Saudi Arabia?
King of the Ring Semifinals: Randy Orton VS Sami Zayn!
SmackDown returns, the bell rings, and these two circle. They tie up, Sami wrenches, ELBOW BREAKERS, then wristlocks. Orton endures, fights up, and the fans duel. Orton wrenches Sami in return to then headlock. Sami endures, powers up to wrench again, and he grinds the arm. Sami wrenches and CHOPS, and Orton goes to the corner. Sami CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! The fans “WOO~” but the ref counts. Orton pushes past Sami, bails out of the ring, and he is pretty red already. Sami builds speed but he fakes Orton out with the Arabian Press! The fans fire up and Orton has to admit that was good.
Orton goes up the steps and steps back into the ring. The fans rally, Orton and Sami tie up, and Orton puts Sami in the corner. Orton lets off slowly, but he pokes Sami in the eyes! The fans boo but Orton UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS! But Sami pokes Orton in the eyes! The ref caught that one and reprimands Sami. Sami TOSSES Orton out, goes to the apron, but Orton YANKS Sami down! Sami hits off the apron, and Orton reels him in, DESK BACK SUPLEX! Sami writhes and Orton rolls into the ring, just to refresh the count. Fans want that “One More Time!” and Orton agrees! DESK BACK SUPLEXÂ again!
Sami writhes more and whatever monitor wasn’t busted, they’re busted now! Orton leaves Sami behind for a moment while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Orton goes out to fetch Sami, but Sami fights off a third back suplex! Orton kicks low, brings Sami over, but Sami blocks the smack off the steel steps! Orton sputters, Sami stalks him, and Sami decides to give him some payback! But Orton ROCKS Sami first! Orton SMACKS Sami off the desk, puts him in the ring, and covers, TWO! Sami stays in this but Orton looms over him. Sami rises, Orton puts him in a corner, and Orton fires body shots. Orton climbs up and rains down fists! Orton gets to eight before Sami fires back! Sami has Orton in another corner, climbs up, and Sami rains down a fast TEN!
Sami huffs ‘n’ puffs and CHOPS! Orton is stinging but Sami CHOPS him again! Sami wrenches, ELBOW BREAKERS, and whips! Orton reverses, Sami hits buckles hard, and Sami falls in a heap. Orton dusts himself off and looms over Sami again. Orton stomps Sami’s hand! Sami writhes and clutches his finger. Orton stomps Sami’s foot, ten the other foot! And then the other hand! Sami sits up, SmackDown returns to single picture, and Orton CLUBS away on Sami’s chest! Orton DECKS Sami, the fans cheer, and Orton brings Sami up. Orton whips, Sami goes up and over, and Sami LARIATS Orton down! The fans fire up again as Sami rises!
Sami goes to the corner, Orton runs up, but Sami ELBOWS him! Sami goes up, AX HANDLES, and the fans fire up more! Orton takes a swing, but Sami slips around! Orton fights the Blue Thunder, then LARIATS! And LARIATS! Orton dodges Sami to SNAP POWERSLAM! The fans fire up while Sami goes to the apron. Orton drags Sami in through the ropes, and DRAPING DDTS! The fans fire up as Orton hears those voices! Orton watches Sami rise, but then Sami bails out! The fans are torn but Sami is smart to avoid what was coming. Orton goes out to fetch Sami, SMACKS him off the desk, and then back suplexes, only for Sami to lands out!
Sami CLUBS Orton, and hits a DESK BACK SUPLEX on Orton! Sami puts Orton in the ring, goes to a corner, and the fans fire up as Orton rises. Orton runs in, Sami dodges, and Orton POSTS himself! Sami runs corner to corner, HELLUVA- SNAP POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Sami survives and Orton seethes. “This is Awesome!” as Sami goes back to a corner. Orton runs back in and he LARIATS! Orton runs but Sami follows! But Orton dodges the Helluva Kick! Sami gets stuck on the to rope, frees himself, and hobbles into an RK- NO! BLUE THUNDER BOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Orton survives and the fans fire up again!
“This is Awesome!” as Sami drags Orton to the drop zone. Sami goes up the corner, Orton stands and he gets under the leap! R K- NO, Sami SLAMS Orton down! And then HELLUVA- RKO!!! Orton crawls to the cover, Orton wins!!
Winner: Randy Orton, by pinfall (advances to Night of Champions)
Sami fought his heart out, but the Viper still strikes! Orton is going back to back in KOTR finals, but will he win the crown this time?
Nia Jax is here!
Grand Rapids boos as The Irresistible Force goes to the ring. She grabs the mic dot say, “You know what’s crazy? Tiffany Stratton approached me to be under my wing, because she knew exactly what I could do for her. And look, she’s thriving! And what kind of thanks did I get for it? She betrayed me. She has MY title!” But wait, here comes Tiffy! Grand Rapids cheers as the WWE Women’s Champion has the mic to tell Nia, “You’re like that toxic ex I just can’t get away from. News flash: get over it! You make excuse after excuse, but when are you just gonna admit that maybe I’m just better than you?”
The fans cheer and Tiff heads to the ring. Nia says yeah, okay, if Tiff is so much better, then give Nia a rematch without kicking a chair into her face. Tiff says if Nia’s so desperate for a match, it is her lucky day! She made it official for next week: Tiff VS Nia! And Tiff will have more fun adding more scars to that “five head” of Nia’s. Because it won’t just be a regular match. It will be Last Woman Standing! Nia takes a swing but Tiff dodge! Tiff fires off, kicks low, and runs up, but into a POP-UP HEADBUTT! And then Nia drops a leg, brother! Nia holds up the belt and soaks up the heat. Nia thinks about leaving, but decides to add on! ANOTHER leg drop, brother!
The fans boo but Nia says that’s not enough! Nia tells Wade & Joe that she’s taking the title! But wait! NAOMI is here, with a ref! Is she doing it!? Is she doing it?! But Nia YANKS Naomi out! Naomi tells her back off! Nia doesn’t, Naomi shoves her, but Nia still grabs at her! Tiff DROPKICKS Naomi onto Nia! Tiff avoids a cash-in because Nia was in the way, but is she setting herself up for failure with that extreme title match?
Charlotte Flair VS Chelsea Green w/ The Secret Her-vice!
The Queen was denied her crown, but she’s not even angry at Alexa Bliss, the one who took that opportunity from her. She instead looks to humble the Hot Mess that claims she would be queen if her demands were met. Who vents their frustrations and comes away with the win?
SmackDown returns and Charlotte makes her entrance. The bell rings and the fans actually cheer on Chelsea. Alba distracts Charlotte and Chelsea sucker punches her! The ref reprimands but Chelsea SMACKS Charlotte off the mat again and again! Chelsea salutes, but Charlotte CHOPS! Chelsea KNEES low, whips, but Charlotte goes up and out at the corner. Charlotte BOOTS Chelsea away, avoids Alba and KICKS her! Chelsea runs up, Charlotte RAMS her, and then Charlotte climbs up. CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Chelsea scrambles away and Charlotte runs up, but into an ELBOW! Charlotte GAMANGIRIS!
Charlotte snapmares, Chelsea distracts the ref, and Alba grabs Charlotte by the hair! Alba HOTSHOTS Charlotte and Chelsea hits a BACKSTABBER! Cover, TWO! Chelsea is furious but Charlotte stays in this, and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Chelsea hops onto Charlotte for a SLEEPER! The fans rally, but Charlotte hits a BACKPACK SENTON! Charlotte is free, Chelsea runs back up, but Charlotte gives her a BACKBREAKER and BUCKLE SHOT! Chelsea falls back, Charlotte huffs ‘n’ puffs and runs up to fire hands! The fans fire up as Charlotte CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS! Charlotte CHOPS again, then clinches for an EXPLODER! And a kip up! The fans fire up and Charlotte salutes to poke fun at Chelsea. Charlotte runs, dodges, and handsprings to LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Chelsea survives but Charlotte stays on her by going for a leg.
Alba gets on the apron, so Charlotte BOOTS her down! The fans cheer, but Charlotte turns around into a ROUGH RYDER! Cover, TWO!! Charlotte survives and Chelsea is furious! Chelsea takes off her face protector and drags Charlotte up. Chelsea has the arms, turns Charlotte, but Charlotte shoves her away! Charlotte dodges and SPEARS! Cover, TWO!! Chelsea survives but Charlotte has the leg! FIGURE- CRADLE!! TWO!! Charlotte has the leg again, FIGURE FOUR! And the bridge for the FIGURE EIGHT!! Chelsea TAPS, Charlotte wins!
Winner: Charlotte Flair, by submission
But then Piper Niven SENTONS onto Charlotte!! Alba storms in, she and Piper mug Charlotte, but here comes Alexa! She RAMS into Piper, she ROCKS Alba, then she catches Chelsea! Charlotte LARIATS Alba out while Alexa hits a TWISTED SISTER ABIGAIL! And then Charlotte BOOTS Piper down! Charlotte and Alexa look at each other, and despite what either one thinks, maybe they both need the other after all. Alexa offers the handshake, but Charlotte walks right past Alexa. Alexa lets that slide, but will Charlotte come around soon enough?
Solo Sikoa talks with JC Mateo.
Why is JC taping up? Uh, duh, he’ll take out Jacob. No, Solo is going out there alone to talk with Jacob. Solo was the only one that Jacob would listen to. Jacob needs Solo. Solo will smooth things over. JC accepts that, but Solo does say that JC should stay ready. Solo is covering his bases, but will he need the Imperial Unit to put down the Samoan Werewolf? Or will it all be alright between them all?
Solo Sikoa heads to the ring.
SmackDown returns as the former Tribal Chief makes his way out, and Grand Rapids boos. Solo grabs the mic, takes a moment, and says, “Alright, Jacob. I’m out here in the middle of the ring, all alone, with open arms, willing to talk to you face to face. I feel terrible about what happened. So if you’re back there, come on out so we can clear the air.” Jacob Fatu makes his entrance and Grand Rapids cheers! Fatu holds up the United States Championship before he steps into the ring, and he has a mic of his own. The fans cheer on “FATU! FATU!” and Solo says he didn’t come out here to fight him, okay? He’s not here for that.
Solo wants to make it clear to Fatu that he loves him, always has loved him, no matter what. One thing Solo learned from being Tribal Chief is how to love family and how to take care of them. That’s all he’s trying to do. Families fight all the time. They fight, they argue, they forgive, and then they move forward. So they should move forward together, Jacob. Move forward as one. The fans boo that, but Solo says nobody saw the potential in Jacob except Solo. Nobody wanted Jacob here in the WWE, except Solo. That is why Solo brought Fatu here and gave him the chance to change his life and put food on his family’s table.
And why did Solo do that? Because Solo loves Jacob. He does. And to be honest, Solo doesn’t have anybody else. Fatu isn’t sure about that, but Solo says all he has is Fatu. And he’s all Solo needs. So come back to the family, and even if Jacob doesn’t say those four words, Solo will. Solo will say it for him, to him, loud enough so everybody can hear it! Solo tells Jacob, “I love you, Jacob.” The fans boo, they don’t trust this. Fatu paces as he thinks on that. “So you love me, huh?” Solo nods yes. So this is what it comes down to, huh? Solo loves Fatu? The way Fatu sees things, Solo has been using Fatu! Solo has been using Fatu to gain power, to fight his battles, and to stay Tribal Chief.
Hell, Solo brought Fatu in so Fatu could bring Solo fame! Solo brought Fatu in because he thought Fatu would bring him gold! Is that all this is about? Fame? Gold? Power? SOLO, LOOK AT HIM! Solo looks up from the floor while the fans cheer Fatu on. Fatu tells Solo that ever since he won the US Championship, Solo is the one that’s been acting different. And maybe Fatu isn’t the problem. Fatu just figured it out! The problem… is this. The problem is the US Championship. Fatu sets it down between him and Solo, and he says if this is what he thinks it is, then just fight him for it! Fight Fatu for the title! The fans fire up for that!
And Solo, Fatu will only warn you one time: If you ever think about coming this way, you know what Fatu is about! You know what’s poppin’ with Fatu, blood! And you know Jacob Fatu is all gas, no brakes with it! YADADADA- SOLO TAKES A SWING! Fatu blocks the spike and he HEADBUTTS! JC Mateo rushes out here! Fatu HEADBUTTS him, too! But Solo CHOP BLOCKS the legs! The fans boo but JC & Solo mug Fatu! But then here comes JIMMY USO! The fans fire up as #BigJim slides in, dodges Solo, and SUPERKICKS JC! And then he SUPERKICKS Solo! But JC LARIATS Jimmy down! JC HAMMERS Jimmy and Solo has him put Jimmy in the corner.
The fans boo but Solo tells Jimmy that he should’ve chosen Solo’s side, not Jacob’s! But speaking of, Fatu is up! The fans fire up as Fatu BODY CHECKS JC! Then he SUPERKICKS Solo! Solo is in a corner, Fatu fires off on him, HEADBUTT after HEADBUTT! SUPERKICK for JC! HIP ATTACK for Solo! The fans are fired up for the Samoan Werewolf, and he locks eyes with Jimmy. Jimmy came to Fatu’s rescue, Fatu just saved him, so Fatu goes up, up, only for Solo to bail out! No Best Moonsaults here in Grand Rapids, but will Fatu cut Solo down soon enough?
Bronson Reed w/ Paul Heyman & Bron Breakker VS LA Knight!
The Wise Man warned, or rather threatened, the Mega Star that he should just cut and run, but that’s not how he does things. Knight is ready to fight, but will he survive a battle with Auszilla? Or is a Tsunami about wipe out LA?
Wait, Knight doesn’t enter from the stage! He enters from the crowd! And he POSTS Bron! The fans fire up as Knight evens things out! He TOSSES Bronson out, throws his vest at him, and Bronson snarls. Bronson has Bron stand down, and says, “Tonight, I kill him.” Bronson steps into the ring, the bell sounds, and Knight fires off! The fans fire up as Knight fires hands, but Bronson puts him in the corner. Knight ELBOWS back, Knight fires more hands, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight whips but Bronson blocks! Bronson whips Knight to a corner, runs up, but Knight dodges! Bronson POSTS himself, and Knight stomps a mudhole in!
The fans rally, the ref counts, and Knight goes corner to corner, but into a fireman’s carry! Knight slips down to sunset flip, but Bronson stays up! Bronson jumps but Knight avoids the hip drop! Then Knight basement BOOTS! The fans fire up and Knight storms up on Bronson. Bronson TOSSES Knight to the apron, but Knight slingshots back in! Bronson catches Knight to a fireman’s carry! Knight flails free and he RAMS Bronson into a corner! But Bronson holds ropes to deny the Jump Neckbreaker! Bronson runs but Knight avoids the senton! The fans fire up as Knight goes up, up, and FLYING BULLDOGS! That’s a Steiner move!
The fans fire up and spell it out, “L! A! KNIGHT!” but Bronson bails out! Knight runs to WRECK Bronson with a dropkick! Knight goes back up, springboards, CROSSBODY to the ramp! The fans fire up with Knight and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Bronson has Knight up top. The fans rally as Knight fights back with body shots! Knight ROCKS Bronson, ROCKS him again, and ROCKS him again! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Bronson finally falls and Knight adjusts position. “L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!” BOX JUMP ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Bronson survives and Knight is rather stunned while Heyman is relieved. Knight aims, kicks, but Bronson denies the BFT! HEADBUTT, then a fireman’s carry! DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Cover, TWO! Knight survives the “Jagged Edge” DVD but Bronson brings him right up. Bronson reels Knight in and says thumbs down.
Bronson lifts Knight up, but Knight flips the bomb into a DDT! The fans fire up but Bron barks at the apron! Knight DECKS the dog, tells Heyman to get the same, but Bronson runs up! Knight DUMPS Bronson out, builds speed, but BRON SPEARS!!
Winner: LA Knight, by disqualification
The fans boo but Bron handed Knight the win with that one. Bronson stands Knight up so Bron can build speed and SUPER SPEAR!! Grand Rapids is torn but plenty of fans bark. And now Bronson goes up!? TSUNAMI!! Bronson goes up again, the refs hurry out here, but TSUNAMI AGAIN!! The fans want another, so Bron scares the refs off to let Bronson go back up! THIRD TSUNAMI!!! Have Rollins’ rooks just broken Knight into pieces? Is this a message to everyone that no one can stop the vision?
Jacob Fatu speaks.
“Yeah, c’mon on widdit! I just spoke to the man, and you know the man makes everything possible here on SmackDown! So next week, next week on Saturday, me ‘n’ you, Solo! Night of Champions, mano a mano, I’m about to dog walk yo’ ass for the US Championship! Solo, you better get in where you fit in. Cuz if you don’t, then baby, it’s ’bout to be all gas, no breaks with it. Yadadadada mean?” The Samoan Werewolf will get to sink his teeth into Solo, but will he stay golden through it all?
John Cena VS Ron Killings!
The Undisputed WWE Champion was the exact opposite of grateful for R-Truth saving him from Randy Orton at Backlash, and he doubled down when Ron tried to show him the truth at Saturday Night’s Main Event. So, if Cena doesn’t want the Truth, he’ll get someone who knows about ruthless aggression! Will Ron Killings bring an early end to the retirement tour? Or will Cena continue to ruin wrestling for everyone else?
SmackDown returns as Cena makes his entrance. The fans sing “JOHN CENA SUCKS~!” despite him wearing the Detroit Pistons colors. Cena makes Mark Nash give the “proper” introduction: “He is the Greatest of All Time, the Never Seen Seventeen, gracing Grand Rapids with his presence one final time… He is the Last Real Champion, JOHN CENA~!” The fans boo, the bell rings, and Truth stares at Cena while Cena smirks hearing the “Let’s Go, Cena!” “CENA SUCKS!” Truth TACKLES Cena! He fires off hands but Cena bails out! So Truth goes out to DECK Cena! “What’s up!?” “WHAT’S UP!” Truth has Cena at the desk and SMACKS him off it!
Truth ROCKS Cena again, and shakes his hand out from hitting so hard. Truth SMACKS Cena off the apron, storms in after him, and whips him to a corner. Cena hits buckles hard and falls to the mat! The fans continue to duel while Truth keeps his eyes on Cena. Truth storms up on Cena while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Truth stands Cena up, whips corner to corner again, and Cena hits buckles hard! Cena sputters, Truth looms over him, and Truth ROCKS Cena! Cena ROCKS Truth! They go back and forth with haymakers, and then Truth dodges to SHOULDER TACKLE! Truth still uses Cena’s own moves against him, and that includes the SPIN-OUT BOMB! Truth raises his hand and Grand Rapids joins in! “You Can’t See Me!” But then Cena bails out so Truth can’t hit him! Truth is annoyed, the fans give thumbs down, but here comes Truth. Cena ELBOWS him down! Cena drags Truth up, POSTS him, and he brings Truth back into the ring.
Cena HEADBUTTS Truth, CHOKES him on the ropes, but stops as the ref counts. Cena stomps away on Truth, then runs to KICK Truth in the back! Cena talks trash, then he runs to SHOULDER TACKLE! Cena takes his time, knowing it is what the fans want. Truth rises up, Cena runs to SHOULDER TACKLE again! Cena watches Truth rise again, gets around him, SPIN-OUT BOMB! And Cena raises his hand, reveling in the cheers and jeers. “You Can’t See Me!” SmackDown returns to single picture for the FIVE KNUCKLE SHUFFLE! Then Cena fireman’s carries, but Truth slips free! THESZ PRESS! And fast hands!
The fans fire up and Truth has Cena in a corner. Truth runs to STINGER SPLASH! Truth hitting all sorts of other iconic moves! Cena tumbles out and grabs the belt! Cena doesn’t care about this match anymore, he doesn’t need to take this! Truth says hold up! Truth runs Cena down and fires hands on the ramp! The fans fire up but Cena CLOBBERS Truth with the belt!!
Winner: Ron Killings, by disqualification
Cena wants to get another shot, but wait! PUNK IS HERE! Cena runs away into the ring, and he catches Punk as Punk slides in! The fans boo Cena but he huffs ‘n’ puffs. Cena drags Punk up, but Punk fires hands in return! Punk DECKS Cena, grabs the belt, and he holds it up! The fans cheer, and Punk aims, but Cena LOW BLOWS! Cena has a sinister smile as he grabs the belt. BELT SHOT for Punk!! The fans boo even more, but Cena decides to up the ante! Cena brings out a table! The fans cheer, everyone loves tables! Cena puts the table in the ring, then watches Punk sputter around. Cena sets the table up while the fans rally behind Punk.
Punk stands but Cena has the belt again! BELT SHOT!! Cena drags Punk up, fireman’s carries, ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENTÂ through the table!! Cena made Punk snap into a Slim Jim, and then he grabs a mic. Cena laughs at Punk, and then sits up on the corner. “Punk… As you lay there in your most uncomfortable…” Cena pretends the mic cut out, taps it, and then says, “Somebody’s afraid of what I’m gonna say.” Cena grins and the fans boo as Cena flips the iconic “Pipebomb” moment on it’s head. “As you lay there in your most uncomfortable, I hope you can listen. I hope you can digest.
“Because before I leave here in six months with that WWE Championship, I gotta get a whole lotta stuff off my chest. First thing’s first, I don’t hate you. I don’t even dislike you. I like you. I like you more than anyone you ever shared a locker room with, that’s for sure. I hate this idea of you. This idea that you’re the Best int he World. You’re not. I’M the Greatest of All Time.” Grand Rapids is a bit torn on that statement, but Cena says Punk is better than Cena at one thing: You’re the best BS artist in the world. Oh no, kiddos~! John Cena just dropped a curse word! That means the show is off the rails! Hey, Stu, shoot this. Hi~! “I’m breaking the forth wall! HAHA!”
Cena then says the truth is, Punk… Cena is jealous of you. Cena is jealous that Punk has conned the fans into believing the myth that Punk is the Best in the World. Oh how they chant for Punk! Which they literally do right now. Hell, the fans even sing for Punk now. But they don’t believe a damn word you say. Because Punk changes his values as much as Cena changes his shirts! Punk is just a loud mouthed opportunist who steps on the necks of those who actually work hard if it gets him ahead. Oh, hey, look, another cameraman! “Hi, Claudio Castagnoli! Hey, Nic Nemeth! Hey, Matt Cardona! How’re you guys doing?”
The fans can’t believe Cena is going this far but Cena is loving it! “He’s heating up! He’s on fire! And there’s nobody back there that’s gonna cut my mic to save your ass, cuz I’m your only friend! Remember who gave you the stage for your pipebomb, pal! And what’ve you done with it since then, huh? You just regurgitated the same five microphone moves of doom. You’re promo potato salad, pal. Hey, you’re no longer the Voice of the Voiceless, you’re a friggin’ millionaire despite yourself. You’re not a punk, you’re a capitalist! And you’re not against TKO, dude, you are Mr. TKO. Cuz they knocked your balls technically off your body.
“Your tweets are strong, but your actions are weak. And in Saudi Arabia, you’re gonna face some loud, loud music when I finally prove to the world that each and every day, day in, day out, no days off for 25 YEARS, I have been the Greatest of All Time!” The fans cheer that a bit more now, to Cena’s surprise. “See, they know. And they know that you were the Best in the World… for seven minutes, 14 years ago. And if after Night of Champions, you’re still delusional enough to believe that you’re the Best in the World, well… I guess it’s a small world after all. You’re welcome, Grand Rapids.” The fans cheer, and Cena lets the world hear it.
Cena tells Punk to bring his A Game to Night of Champions. If Grand Rapids is any indication, the mood is starting to change. Refs finally appear to check on Punk, Cena says no, that’s fine. Punk needs to rest up for his big title match. Get a good shot of this: Best in the World VS Greatest of All Time, for THE most coveted prize in sports entertainment, THE WWE Undisputed Championship! And Cena knows the fans will sing and chant, but he also knows even the idiots are smart enough to see the truth: The Champ is Here. And USA Network, keep the extra two and half minutes. He doesn’t need a bomb to blow the “mother fudging” building.
Oh, and thanks, Punk, for letting Cena rip off your best promo just to make you look even more foolish. Cena finally drops the mic and he raises the belt up again. If the proverbial tables have turned this drastically, is there no saving WWE from losing its north star championship?
My Thoughts:
A great SmackDown with an awesome ending. All those years ago, when CM Punk dropped THE OG “Pipebomb” promo, no one could’ve ever in a million years guessed that here tonight, we would’ve gotten the John Cena remix. Not only was that promo of the year, but Cena blew up go-home math. I can’t see Cena losing the title to Punk now. He can lose the match since Cena loves getting disqualified, and there’s the possibility of Rollins trying a cash-in, but Cena is leaving Saudi Arabia as champion to then go to SummerSlam. It also works because Cody Rhodes still feels like the favorite for King of the Ring.
A lot of that has to do with how Sami lost to Orton tonight. Great promo from the four semifinalists, especially since it was Jey, Sami and Orton kinda keeping Cody from talking since there isn’t more Cody needs to say. Win or lose, no explanations needed at this point. Sami VS Orton was an awesome match, but I could just feel an RKO countering the Helluva Kick as the way to go and that’s what they did. Now, as awesome as it would be for Jey to beat Cody, and then for Jey to beat Orton to go for the World Heavyweight Championship again, there are a lot of moving parts right now that it would just be the easiest for Cody to win the crown and have his rematch with Cena.
And while talking the WHC, Gunther VS Goldberg IS confirmed for the title, but has also been confirmed as Goldberg’s last match. This is a huge indicator that despite Rollins teasing a cash-in on the Undisputed title, he will likely be thwarted and then falls back to the title he feels is rightfully his. That is to say, Rollins cashes in on the winner of Gunther VS Goldberg, which I half expected even before all this talk of Goldberg’s last match. Rollins can take this title from Gunther and Goldberg, and then we can throw Jey and even LA Knight into the mix as things are getting heated between Knight and the henchmen.
Great promo from Knight with Heyman, great match with Knight VS Bronson, and a really powerful beating Knight takes from Bron & Bronson. If nothing else, Knight costs Rollins his cash-in. Truth going after Kit Wilson was an interesting move. Also a shame Elton Prince is hurt, Pretty Deadly gets going and then something happens to slow them down. But Kit was going to lose to Aleister so this really messes Aleister up more than anything. Priest keeping the peace between Aleister and Truth was good stuff. Priest and Truth being allies on SmackDown can be some real fun stuff, and I feel like they’re already set up for a feud with Aleister.
Very good stuff with Fatu, Solo and this US Championship story. Fatu VS Solo was the natural move, and I like that Jimmy Uso ends up an ally for Fatu. The title match is set, I wonder if we get a tag match first. In fact, next week is title night in Riyadh with Tiffany Stratton giving Nia the Last Woman Standing match, and basically setting the stage for Naomi to cash in. She almost did tonight but Nia was again able to stop her, so I would think Naomi waits until the very end of the Last Woman Standing match to take full advantage. Then, if Jade wins Queen of the Ring, we get Jade VS Naomi at SummerSlam.
Good promo from Jade, B-Fab & Michin watching Asuka VS Alexa. Asuka winning made the most sense, Alexa clearly has story with Charlotte and Asuka is just that good. Jade VS Roxie will be a good match but Roxie’s story in Judgment Day might keep her from winning. But then the fallback there is Roxie might actually sub in for the tag titles like I was thinking. Charlotte VS Chelsea was very good, and of course the Secret Her-vice does what they can to help. The beatdown they put on Charlotte and then Alexa making the save, that’s going to be one of those “can they coexist?” tag matches for sure.
Honestly, a little surprised we didn’t get any tag team promos tonight, unless I completely missed something. I believe title night is going to have Profits VS Gacy & Lumis for the tag titles, too, so that’s going to be something wild. And while DIY is scared of the Wyatts, I feel like they’re going to interfere because they don’t want the Wyatts to take the titles. But at the same time, the Wyatts need something substantial this time around, so maybe they win the titles at SummerSlam.
My Score: 9/10
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
 MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)Â
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports PodcastÂ
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
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Coverage
Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 6.19.25
Are we going to start trending upwards with Slammiversary to build toward?

Last week’s episode was lacking in ring work but had decent story moments and segments. Starting the build to Slammiversary we can either launch nicely or things can always get worse. Jason Hotch and KC Navarro are the real shining stars of the last few months, so lets hope once they get over this Leon Slater idiot ship, they can push X Division wrestlers with actual talent for pro wrestling and not just flippy charisma vacuums.
Oh and let’s not forget, it is the episode they celebrate the 23rd anniversary of TNA! TWENTY – THREE!! Somewhere PCO hates this.
.@Kelly_WP is back in TNA Wrestling and has a message for TNA Knockouts World Champion @mashaslamovich!
WATCH #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/cF0F1ZKKuL pic.twitter.com/tnm4TIuPUz
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) June 20, 2025
Ratings:
- Sami Callihan vs Eric Young w/Losers: EY wins via Piledriver – ** 3/4
- Lei Ying Lee & Masha Slamovich vs The Elegance Clique w/M & Personal Concierge: Elegantos win via Rarefied Air – ***
- Eddie Edwards & JDC w/Alisha & Brian Myers vs Matt Cardona & Home Town Man: HTM wins via Cradle – *
- Champion’s Challenge: The Rascalz, Joe Hendry, Leon Slater & Elijah vs The Kaiba Boys, Moose, Steve Maclin & Trick Williams: Elijah wins via Highwayman’s Farewell – ***
Results:
Sami Callihan vs Eric Young w/Losers
Sami knocks them all off the apron before the bell rings, he levels the loser children, finds a chair, attacks EY but EY counters and this is the excuse to use weapons since the bell didn’t ring yet. EY tries to break Sami’s hand on the steps with the chair, but Sami moves, throws EY back in the ring, bell rings and EY hits a Belly to Belly suplex for two. They slug it out, Sami goes for Headbutts, then Sami wants to run the ropes but a loser trips him, distracts long enough for EY to knock him out of the ring and loser children swarm as loser children do. EY does the classic, throw back out for losers to attack while EY grabs and distracts the ref. Sami is selling a few lame attacks from the losers like he got shot. It’s an excessive sell, so it’s honestly a dumb transitional moment.
EY levels Sami, Lariat into Scoop Slam, looks for the Macho Elbow but Sami hits the ropes to crotch EY. Sami Superplex time, but EY bites the face to make Sami drop, EY jumps at him but eats a straight right hand. Cactus Driver, but no, EY tries his Piledriver…they both gouge eyes at the same time, Sami catches an EY charge into a Flatliner as they’re both down…for…reasons? The selling in this match seems…poorly timed and kinda stupid. Hard Irish Whip, EY Flair Flips the corner, levels Sami, Macho Elbow for 2.9! EY threatens to hit the ref, but then goes to mad dog commentary. EY then wants to attack fans…he’s more unhinged than World Elite EY. Sami gives him the old Dick Twist into a Stunner but only for two! Losers try to distract, first one gets taken out, second one uses a chair, EY hits the Piledriver on Sami, EY wins.
I feel like this is gonna continue for a few weeks since it wasn’t a clean win.Â
Mustafa Ali’s group comes out, and I refuse to say the name because it’s dumb and they’re already fraying at the seams. Ali wants an apology session, Tasha and Hotch apologize to him but Skyler bites back and refuses, even shoved Ali. So Ali challenges him to a “Call to Arms” match. What in the hell is a Call to Arms match?Â
Lei Ying Lee & Masha Slamovich vs The Elegance Clique w/M & Personal Concierge
ASH does her borderline racist fake karate before Lei stares her down and tags in Heather. Heather avoids Lei, Lei throws a few Tornado Kicks to make a point and Heather tags out. Heather being 4’8″ helps her here. Concierge says “There’s no Karate in wrestling”. ASH, Lei and Masha are in the ring, ASH is trying to decide who she wants to face, but the Concierge google translated it and hands it to ASH, before the face team rocks ASH. Masha lifts up Lei and Lei does the Liu Kang Bicycle Kick, steering more into her Mortal Kombat aesthetic. Senton off the apron from Lei and Masha dives into the pile, the comedy heels are getting leveled. We go to commercial and come back with Lei getting Double Teamed but she spins it into a weird Neckbreaker..but can’t tag out just yet. Lei blocks Heather, Enzuigiri, simultaneous tag, Masha is Yakuza kicks for all and the 2 for 1 Lariat/DDT special. Near fall, but Masha goes for murder, but Heather breaks it, Rocket Launcher/Code Breaker from Elegance but Lei breaks up the pin. ASH tries to intimidate Lei with her fake Karate before throwing her out of the ring. Heather hits Lei with a handful of Glitter and then bounces her face off the post. Masha tries to stop ASH, Kelly’s music distracts Masha, Rarefied Air gives ASH the win.
Santino comes out and GOD DAMMIT no one wants to see Tommy Dreamer fight Mance Warner…that’s a useless thing. Pivot away…no one wants this. Oh no, now we have to listen to Steph talk too. Okay it seems to be a pivot, thankfully. Steph and Mance talk shit, Dreamer says something about Something is gonna happen…and Jake Something comes out. So…I guess we’re gonna build him up for 2 months and then job him out for 6 before he fucks off to his home galaxy or whatever?Â
.@indi_hartwell has a run in with Tessa Blanchard!
WATCH #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/cF0F1ZLikj pic.twitter.com/I6UCCk2fAG
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) June 20, 2025
Really wish Indi just opened with the Billy Butcher classic of, “Oi Cunt!” – but this wasn’t bad.Â
Eddie Edwards & JDC w/Alisha & Brian Myers vs Matt Cardona & Home Town Man
I hate… Cardona so much more now. Heel reasons for Cardona…go away heat for Deaner.
JDC wants the Home Town Man to start…and Deaner does his stupid Flip Flop and Fly, Cardona tags in, JDC is eating some offense, Cardona wants the Reboot, JDC powders, Cardona Dives but then Lish and the general numbers catch up to Cardona. Eddie is legal, and now they isolate Cardona with some decent tandem work and isolation. This turns into kind of a schmoz, lots of silly spots, near falls and then Home Town doofus gets the cradle pinfall on Eddie.
Whenever Deaner is involved I can’t be asked to care. The System beats Cardona and Deaner down, but Eddie did eat a pin. Which is embarrassing not even for work reasons, like it’s just sad.
Champion’s Challenge: The Rascalz, Joe Hendry, Leon Slater & Elijah vs The Kaiba Boys, Moose, Steve Maclin & Trick Williams
Elijah and Nic start things off, slow push off, arm wring, top wristlock, simple chain wrestling start. Nic breaks the chain and hits a Dropkick, Elijah runs the ropes and hits a Diving Lariat and starts the Rope Walk. Nic seems far to awake and alert for that move then, I hate how people pull that off too early. Wentz gets tagged in, Nic tags in Maclin who wasn’t looking for a tag, but him and Wentz have a nice clash, Trey tags in, they try to double him, but they pause and look at each other. Maclin asks for a tag, no one tags him so he Chops Ryan to tag him in and throws him in.
The little nod to Maclin and Rascalz history and the fact the faces realize Maclin isn’t a piece of shit. A little MCMG homage tandem attacks on Ryan, Wentz punctuates with the Handspring Knee Lift, Ryan tags out to Trick. Trick and Wentz go back and forth, Rascalz have Trick eating offense, Moose tries to slow things down, both Trick and Moose powder, Rascalz Double Golden Triangle Moonsaults. Trey gets tripped by Nic, Moose hits Lights Out, but there’s no referee so it’s a little chaotic.
Out of the commercial things are controlled kinda and we see a simultaneous tag to Moose and Leon. Leon comes out hot, level Moose with a Leg Lariat, attacks Nic Nemeth, attacks Ryan, and then Moose hits Leon with the Stun Gun. Moose looks to tag in Maclin but Maclin jumps off the apron. Trick takes the tag, keeps control, Trick forcibly tags in Maclin but Ryan tags himself in and pulls Leon to the Champions’ corner, Nic tags in and isolates Leon, with the Kaibas quick tagging and keeping Leon down.
Moose tags in, tries to Suplex Leon about four times but Leon stops it then counters the Suplex. Moose tries to cut him off, but the Champions distract the ref so the ref can’t see Leon tag out. Nic and Moose doubling up and Leon is the bump guy of this last portion of the match. Big Uranage from Moose…Moose looks for Lights Out but Small Package almost ruined things, Body Scissors Cradle, GAME CHANGER! Moose looks to hit a Jacknife Powerbomb but Leon turns it into a DDT. Maclin and Ryan start fighting, Nic Superkicks Maclin, Hendry and Nic tag in, Hendry is a house of fire. Sack of Shits for everyone! Nic, Ryan, there’s a pause when Hendry is face to face with Trick and Trick gets Uppercuts first then Sack of Shit! Standing Ovation on Nic, but Ryan blocks, Kaibas try a tandem attack but Hendry Lariats them both. Elijah tags in and is the maestro of the crowd and chopping Ryan to some fun. Ryan goes for a Polish Hammer but eats the Knee Lift. Signature spam time…
Ryan tries to use the International title but Maclin grabs the title away from Ryan, clocks Nic, Standing Ovation into the Highwayman’s Farewell. Champions lose!
Overall Score: 4/10
Well this was a rough one boys and girls. Sami and EY was just an overbooked shitshow, Lei Ying Lee is unfortunately in a spot where it’s obvious TNA has no clue how to use her, the Elegantos are the New Beautiful People, and I’m not mad at that. But you need to space out your goofball crap. You can’t have Elegance Clique, Home Town Moron and Santino in 3 consecutive segments. And if anyone goes “it was 3 out of 4” that’s doesn’t lessen my point, the beauty of Pro Wrestling being a variety show is…FOR VARIETY! When the lead match feels stupid because of bad pacing, poor selling and overbooking with two losers, it feels like a useless match with idiots, then comedy, followed by more comedy…you see how that’s literally NOT VARIETY.
Figure it out seriously. This was a disappointing episode. If you’re a casual viewer than it’s just chalk for TNA doing cringe and borderline goof crap since they’ve always steered a little more into the carny than other companies. But this show was…where’s Jisoo and Jenny? I feel like I need that gif:
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
 MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)Â
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports PodcastÂ
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!