Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW G1 Climax 31 Results & Report! (9/18/21)
The great tradition is back again!
G1 Climax’s opening day is all about Block A!
For the second time, NJPW’s Summer tradition is in the Fall! Will Kota Ibushi begin his climb towards a FOURTH G1 Climax Finals appearance?
NOTE:Â NJPW no longer wants to feed AXS TV now that it is with Anthem and Impact Wrestling. But never fear, I will cover NJPW in the spirit of AXS in providing the most important matches of the show.
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kota Ibushi VS Yujiro Takahashi w/ Pieter; Takahashi wins.
- Great-O-Khan VS Tanga Loa; Khan wins.
- Toru Yano VS KENTA; Yano wins.
- Tetsuya Naito VS Zack Sabre Jr; ZSJ wins.
- Tomohiro Ishii VS Shingo Takagi; Takagi wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Kota Ibushi VS Yujiro Takahashi w/ Pieter!
The Golden Star is last year’s winner, as well as the year before that, and is the only man to appear in three consecutive finals. But will the Tokyo Pimp look to ruin his chances of making it back there again to start things off?
The bell rings and fans cheer as the two stare down. Ibushi and Yujiro slowly circle, tie up, and Ibushi powers Yujiro to ropes. The ref calls for the ropebreak and Ibushi lets off, but Yujiro pulls hair to turn it around! The ref reprimands, so Yujiro lets off to slap Ibushi! Ibushi keeps cool as he resets with Yujiro. Ibushi rushes in but Yujiro dodges, to slap Ibushi again. Yujiro eggs Ibushi on then kicks low to throw forearms. Yujiro CHOPS then throws more forearms against the ropes. Yujiro stands Ibushi up, runs but into a boot! Ibushi walks into Yujiro’s kick, things speed up and Ibushi dropkicks Yujiro down! Fans cheer as Ibushi stands up and stomps Yujiro.
Ibushi stands Yujiro up for forearms, then Ibushi wrenches and whips Yujiro to a corner. Ibushi runs in but Yujiro puts him on the apron. Yujiro comes back but into a forearm. Ibushi goes up to springboard but Yujiro shoves him down! Ibushi hits the floor and Yujiro goes out to fetch him. Yujiro POSTS Ibushi, shoulder first! Yujiro regroups with Pieter to get his pimp cane, and he has Pieter distract the ref. Yujiro takes aim to CANE SHOT Ibushi in the gut! Then he chokes Ibushi with the cane! The ref leaves Pieter behind and sees Yujiro using the cane. The ref reprimands and counts, Yujiro lets off to get in the ring.
Ibushi drags himself back in the ring but Yujiro is on him with a rain of fists. The ref reprimands about closed fists so Yujiro stops to bring Ibushi up. Yujiro scoops and SLAMS Ibushi down, then paces around. Yujiro drops a leg, an elbow then a headbutt! Cover, ONE!! Fans cheer Ibushi’s toughness but Yujiro keeps his cool. Fans rally up but Yujiro bumps Ibushi off buckles. Yujiro knees low, throws forearms, then whips Ibushi corner to corner. Yujiro runs in and BOOTS Ibushi down! Cover, ONE!! Fans fire up again as Ibushi shocks Yujiro! Yujiro paces while Ibushi crawls, and Yujiro stomps Ibushi down.
Ibushi glares at Yujiro so Yujiro slaps him around. Ibushi fires off forearms but Yujiro knees low! Yujiro knees Ibushi against ropes, whips him but Ibushi reverses to GAMANGIRI! Fans fire up with Ibushi as he gets back up. Ibushi dares Yujiro to get up, then he fires off a strike fest! ROUNDHOUSE to the chest, STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Ibushi keeps his focus as the fans rally back up. Ibushi reels Yujiro in for a waistlock but Yujiro fights the lift with elbows. Yujiro is free and runs, into a RANA from Ibushi! Yujiro bails out, fans fire up and Ibushi takes aim. Ibushi runs to the corner, GOLDEN TRI- NO! Yujiro YANKS Ibushi down to the ground!
Yujiro has cameramen move aside so that he can whip Ibushi into railing! Ibushi staggers back into a REVERSE DDT! The ref checks on Ibushi but Yujiro gets him up and into the ring. Yujiro drags Ibushi up, stands him against ropes and takes aim, to BOOT Ibushi again! Yujiro reels Ibushi in, FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up as Yujiro brings Ibushi back up. Yujiro reels Ibushi in but Ibushi fights the Incolle Slam. Yujiro ducks the Roundhouse, tries again, INCOLLE SLAM! Cover, TWO! Ibushi is still in this but Yujiro fires up. Yujiro drags Ibushi up, fireman’s carry, but Ibushi fights free.
Yujiro blocks the kick to fireman’s carry again, but again Ibushi fights free! ROUNDHOUSE! Fans fire up more as Ibushi calls for his shot! Ibushi drags Yujiro up, reels him in, LAST RIDE! Cover, TWO!! Yujiro survives but barely! Ibushi vows this will end it now, and he gets Yujiro’s wrists. But Yujiro kicks Ibushi’s leg! Yujiro reels Ibushi in but he shoves free of Pimp Juice. V-TRIGGER! KENNY~! Yujiro flops over but Ibushi isn’t done with him! KAMI- No, Yujiro sends Ibushi at the ref! LOW BLOW! Yujiro reels Ibushi in again, PIMP JUICE!! Cover, TWO!?! Ibushi survives by the seat of his pants and everyone is shocked!
Yujiro roars and fans fire up as he brings Ibushi up. IMPALER!! Cover, YUJIRO WINS?!?
Winner: Yujiro Takahashi, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Ibushi gains 0)
A true shocker to open the G1!! The Tokyo Pimp and his naughty little bunny get to celebrate defeating the double G1 Climax winner! Is this a sign that the Golden Star is starting to dim?
Great-O-Khan VS Tanga Loa w/ Jado!
The United Empire’s Dominator and the Bullet Club’s Silverback are both in their first G1 Climax! But they aren’t going to let that get to them, they’re both hungry for the golden opportunity at the end of this grueling tournament! Whose debut is the better by starting off with a win?
The bell rings and the two stare down as fans rally up. Loa grins as the two approach and compare muscles. They talk a bit of trash and Khan shoves Loa. Loa laughs that off then shoves back. They tie up, are in a deadlock, but Loa finds a point of leverage to push Khan back. Khan digs in his heels to push Loa back, but Loa puts Khan on ropes. Khan turns things around, Loa turns them back and the ref calls for the break. Loa lets off cleanly and fans cheer, but then Loa takes a swing! Khan gets around to waistlock and he carries Loa around in a rear bearhug. Loa elbows free, runs, but Khan rams shoulders with him! Fans cheer as neither falls and Khan eggs Loa on.
Loa runs, they ram shoulders again and again neither falls. Loa smiles and dares Khan to try. Khan runs but dodges the clothesline to run Loa over! And again! And again! Fans fire up as Khan sees Loa bail out to regroup with Jado. Jado gives Loa some pointers but Khan dares Loa to get back in. Khan goes out, Loa slips away and Jado distracts Kha. Loa gets in the ring, Khan keeps his eyes on Jado as he approaches the ring. Khan gets in, dodges Loa again and throws forearms! Khan hits Mongolian Chops! Fans cheer, Khan runs but into a SPEAR! Loa doesn’t cover, he stomps Khan around instead, then rains down fists!
Loa chokes but the ref counts and Loa lets off and “apologizes.” Then Loa stands on Khan’s throat! The ref counts again, Loa steps away, and he stalks Khan to ropes. Loa CLUBS Khan down, stomps him at the ropes, then drags Khan up by his ponytail. Loa scoops then SLAMS Khan for a BIG leg drop! Cover, TWO! Loa clamps onto Khan, choking him with his own ponytail! The ref notices, reprimands, and Khan gets a ropebreak at the same time. Loa lets off, Khan sputters, but Loa CLUBS him down. Loa chokes Khan with his ponytail again! The ref counts, Loa stops and he brings Khan up. Loa goes to suplex but Khan blocks, so Loa throws body shots and throws Khan out.
The ref reprimands Loa but Jado JAMS Khan with his kendo stick! The Master Heater stomps Khan and eggs him on as he gets up. Another kendo stick jab and Khan goes down again! Loa wants the ring count and so the count begins. Khan starts getting up so Loa goes out after Khan and RAMS him into the apron! Loa snap suplexes Khan to the ground with authority! Fans rally up as Khan writhes and the ring count begins again. The count is 10 of 20 as Khan drags himself up at the railing. Khan hears the 15 and gets in at 16! Loa waits for Khan to stand again, and he runs in to BOOT Khan down! Loa stomps away on Khan’s right arm, perhaps to prevent the iron claw from working.
Khan scrambles to ropes but Loa is on him again. Loa wraps the arm around ropes and pulls! The ref counts, Loa lets off at 3, then he brings Khan up. Khan throws body shots and forearms, but the bad arm is weak. So Khan grabs Loa’s ear! The ref reprimands but Khan CLUBS Loa’s ear! Khan whips, Loa reverses and hits a SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Khan survives but Loa looms over him. Loa drags Khan up, “I expected more from you. Empire who? Great who?” Loa DECKS Khan and continues to mock him. “Great who? Not you!” Loa stands Khan up and ROCKS Khan again! Khan wobbles and falls back against ropes but the fans rally up.
Loa stands Khan up, reels him in but Khan blocks the suplex! Khan suplexes Loa and holds him up before the GOURD BUSTER! Both men are down but the fans rally again. Khan crawls after Loa, and gives him Mongolian Chops! And then more Mongolian Chops! Khan chops and CHOPS Loa in the corner, then whips him corner to corner, to clothesline from behind! Khan puts Loa up top backward to Mongolian Chop him on the back! Loa falls into a Tree of Woe, Khan stomps him down and digs in his boot! The ref counts and Khan lets off. Khan runs corner to corner, hits his three point stance and runs in to basement dropkick!
Jado gets on the apron but Khan Mongolian Chops him down! Loa frees himself from the Tree but Khan haul shim up. Khan back suplexes to SLAM Loa on his face! Cover, TWO! Khan grows annoyed but he toys with Loa. Khan asks where all Loa’s bravado went, then brings him back up. Mongolian Chop, but Loa doesn’t flinch. Loa throws body shots but Khan throws more Mongolian Chops! Loa throws uppercuts, throws forearms, then eggs Khan on. Khan gives back the forearm and the two brawl! Fans rally up as they pick up the speed! Loa gets the edge, then runs, into a BOOT! Khan runs, but Loa grabs at the ref! Jado SMACKS Khan with the kendo stick!
Loa LARIATS Khan down! Cover, TWO! But into a CROSSFACE! Jado distracts the ref but realizes Loa has control so he hops down. Khan endures the hold, reaches for ropes, but Loa rolls him away! CROSSFACE! Khan endures again, kicks and flails, but he thrashes to get around and reach out! ROPEBREAK! The ref counts but Loa lets off quickly. Khan flounders to a corner but Loa runs in to clothesline! Whip out then in, another clothesline! Loa reels Khan in, back suplex to POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!! Khan survives Loa’s take on Blue Thunder and the fans rally up. Loa mocks Khan’s Jiangshi moves, does some pop ‘n’ lock then steals the Mongolian Chops!
Khan slowly gets up, so Loa Mongolian Chops again! Khan gets mad and stands, but Loa Mongolian Chops again! Loa gets Khan up and reels him in but Khan holds off bomb to back drop! Khan fires up and blocks a clothesline to spin Loa into the HITSUJIGOROSHI! Loa endures the “Sheep Killer” stretch as Khan thrashes him around! Loa reaches for ropes, Khan cranks the hold harder, digging into that chinbar! Loa fights up, Khan scoops him, and Jado gets in the ring! Khan swings Loa to smack Jado down, and then gives Loa a BACKBREAKER! Then he makes it an IRON CLAW, to the ELI- NO! Loa slips out, kicks and ENZIGURIS!
Khan drops to his knees and Loa hurries to get him in position. POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!! Khan survives and shocks Loa! Fans fire up as Khan falls over in a daze. Loa hurries to get Khan back up, scoops him, but Khan slips out to IRON CLAW and ELIMINATOR!! Cover, Khan wins!
Winner: Great-O-Khan, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Loa earns 0)
The Silverback falls to the Dominator! Will Khan make a huge impact in the G1 for the glory of the United Empire?
Toru Yano VS KENTA!
After bringing out his vicious past against the Bullet Club’s Crown Jewel, surely the new provisional Mr. KOPW 2021 is ready for retaliation. Will Fang Revived sink his teeth into Chaos’ Clown Prince?
Kenta presents the timekeeper with a new script to read, as if to parody Yano’s long introduction with his own incredibly long introduction. Yano gets impatient with the checks but Kenta wants the ref to be thorough, since we all know Yano has tricks up more than just his sleeves. Wouldn’t you know? Spare tape was in the leg of his tights! Yano promises that’s the only one, and then asks the ref to check if Kenta is hiding something! Kenta denies such things but Yano says Kenta is very suspicious! The ref checks but Kenta refuses to have his butt inspected. Wait, there was wrist tape back there, too! Kenta says he only had it cuz he knew Yano would have some!
Tempers flair and the bell finally rings, only for Kenta to bail out. Yano complains but Kenta tells him to shut up. Kenta paces around the outside and fans rally up. Kenta takes his time returning but then slips right back out. Yano gets annoyed but Kenta wants space to return. Yano’s on the opposite side of the ring and demands Kenta get in. Kenta slides in, Yano storms over, but Kenta slides back out. Yano wants Kenta to get in already, but again Kenta trolls him. Yano rushes out after Kenta, only for Kenta to slide back inside. Now tables have turned and Yano dares Kenta to get back outside while Kenta says for Yano to get inside. Yano gets in, Kenta bails out!
Kenta keeps trolling Yano and Yano storms back outside. Kenta slides in, Yano storms up the ramp, and a ring count begins. Yano says he doesn’t care, but then he walks backwards. The count is 10 of 20, Yano sees Kenta is in the ring and rushes in, but Kenta stomps him down! Kenta stands Yano up and throws haymakers, then he rakes Yano’s eyes! Kenta lets off to throw more forearms, then he whips Yano. Yano holds ropes to taunt Kenta now. Kenta runs in, Yano dodges and he rakes eyes! Yano whips, Kenta holds ropes to mock Yano! Yano storms over and Kenta bails out again. Yano has no idea what is going on here but Kenta snatches Yano’s spray bottle!
Yano pursues to get sprayed in the face! Kenta undoes the nozzle and pours the liquid right on Yano’s face! Kenta stomps Yano down, then brings him up to throw forearms. Things go up the ramp, and Kenta tells the ref to shut up about the ring. Kenta CLUBS Yano on the back, rakes Yano’s eyes, then brings Yano to the entryway and the girders. Kenta finds tape hidden inside a gap! Yano kicks back and throws the tape away! Kenta kicks low, throws haymakers, and the ref gets in between them to say this has to go back to the ring. Wait, Kenta had more tape hidden in another gap in the structure! Kenta brings that out to tape Yano to the entryway! Then Kenta runs to the ring!
Yano is anchored as the ring count begins! Yano curses as he has to rip at the tape! The count is 8 of 20, then 10 before Yano is free! Yano gets free at 11 and sprints for the ring! Yano gets in at 16 and Kenta is frustrated. Kenta rains down rights on Yano, then stomps him around. Kenta whips, Yano reverses and sends Kenta to a corner, then goes to untie the buckle pads of the opposite corner! Yano has bared one of the corners, but Kenta comes back to mule kick. Kenta runs, but into an atomic drop! Yano trips and catapults Kenta into bare buckles! Roll up, TWO!! Yano fires up and whips Kenta at the bare corner, but Kenta reverses to send Yano in!
Kenta runs in to BOOT Yano down, then goes corner to corner to HESITATION DROPKICK Yano into the buckles! Yano is down, Kenta goes up, DIVING DOUBLE STOMPS! Cover, TWO! Yano survives Kenta’s coup de grace but Kenta slashes his throat. Kenta drags Yano up, fireman’s carries, but Yano slips out to pull hair! Kenta pulls hair in return! The ref reprimands them both and counts, but only Yano lets go! Kenta throws Yano out of the ring! Kenta goes out to fetch Yano, whips but Yano reverses to send Kenta into railing! Yano goes looking under the ring, and he finds spare wrist tape! The ref tries to stop Yano but Kenta shoves Yano into the ref!
Kenta stomps Yano, looks under the ring, and brings out more wrist tape! How many of these were hidden around the arena? Kenta wraps Yano’s wrists together, then he lifts the apron skirt. Kenta throws Yano under the ring! Kenta has the ref get up and get in the ring to start a ring count! Yano is nowhere to be found so the count begins. Kenta wants it to be faster but we’re only at 7 of 20. The count passes 10, then 15! Yano appears from behind! Yano LOW BLOWS Kenta behind the ref’s back! Roll up, TWO!! Kenta waistlocks, Yano grabs at the ref, then mule kick LOW BLOWS! Yano drags Kenta into a cradle, Yano wins!
Winner: Toru Yano, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Kenta earns 0)
Kenta is furious with the ref, but it was his own tricks that came back to bite him! Will Yano be able to find further ways to win by the skin of his teeth?
Tetsuya Naito VS Zack Sabre Jr!
Los Ingobernables de Japon couldn’t strike out the Dangerous Tekkers at the MetLife Dome, but can the Uncontrollable Charisma get a leg up towards the top title? Or will the Submission Master make Naito #JustTapOut for the Fall?
ZSJ is patient as Naito takes off his elaborate entrance attire, a new red suit. The bell rings and fans cheer as the two stare down. ZSJ stretches a bit as he waits on Naito. Naito calls for a test of strength, but he’s reaching out in all directions. ZSJ brushes that off by mocking the Tranquilo pose. Naito and ZSJ circle, tie up, and ZSJ gets an arm. Naito holds off the wrench and gets a leg, but ZSJ again goes for an arm. Naito defends with a waistlock but ZSJ uses that to shift to a drop toehold. ZSJ floats to a headlock but Naito slips out the back to hammerlock. ZSJ rolls and gets free, and fans cheer as the two stand off from that technical exchange.
Naito and ZSJ circle again, then tie up collar ‘n’ elbow. ZSJ waistlocks, goes for a full nelson but Naito switches to full nelson back. ZSJ uses his leg for leverage to break free, but the two switch around and Naito is back in control. ZSJ pries the full nelson apart, drops and kangaroo kicks Naito away. Fans cheer again as the two reset. ZSJ and Naito circle again, feel out the grapple, then Naito gets a leg pick to a toehold. ZSJ fights back with a chinlock and fish hooks, but Red Shoes reprimands. Naito shakes that off to crank the toehold. ZSJ keeps trying the chinlock but Naito pulls on the leg. Naito shifts position, has a standing toehold and twists the ankle.
ZSJ rolls, reels Naito into a headlock and hits a takeover, but Naito headscissors. ZSJ moves around, turns Naito over, ties up the legs, Bow ‘n’ Arrow! Naito pops out to a cover, ONE, and Naito Tranquilos while ZSJ paces. ZSJ backs off to a corner while fans cheer, but Naito is patient as the two reset again. They tie up, ZSJ gets an arm and wrenches to step over, arm-drag and then headlock. Naito powers out, things speed up and the two do-si-do for cobra twists. Naito schoolboys instead, ZSJ rolls through but Naito arm-drags him! ZSJ gets up into a back elbow and a RANA! ZSJ bails out as fans fire up! Naito takes his time slowly going out to fetch ZSJ.
Naito gets ZSJ up and into the ring, clamps on with a chinlock and grinds him down. ZSJ pries at the hold but Naito drives an elbow into ZSJ’s head. Naito then gets a cravat for a neck wrench but ZSJ fights with a leg hooking Naito’s head. The two struggle for control, Naito gets free of the leg to stand ZSJ up. Naito whips corner to corner, runs in and rocket kicks! Leg sweep, but ZSJ catches Naito in a cravat! Naito rolls but ZSJ holds on to then bring Naito in for a snap suplex and basement dropkick! Fans fire up for that flurry while Naito bails out. ZSJ catches his breath while the ring count climbs, but he goes out to fetch Naito into the ring.
ZSJ drags Naito up and around, throws EuroUppers, then DECKS Naito. ZSJ drags Naito back up into an Italian Stretch but Naito fights. Naito makes it a cover, ONE! Naito tries again, ONE! ZSJ kicks Naito’s legs out to bring him down into just the cross leg headscissors hold! Naito endures, moves around, but ZSJ grabs at Naito’s arms to reel him back in. ZSJ sits on Naito’s head in the headscissors, then pushes up to get leverage on the necklock. Naito endures, and gets a ropebreak with a foot! ZSJ lets off cleanly and waits for Naito to sit up. ZSJ wraps on a chinlock, digs his elbows and knuckles in, then wraps Naito up in a straitjacket stretch.
ZSJ uses his head as a point of pressure and he pushes up with his feet to get more torque. Naito endures, fights back up, but ZSJ brings him around to pull on the hold again. Naito fights to his feet, powers up to turn the hold around but ZSJ turns it back around onto Naito! Fans rally as Naito endures again. Naito fights back up, fights the hold and spins it onto ZSJ but ZSJ spins it onto Naito! They spin and spin, and ZSJ gets control again! Fans cheer the technical exchange as Naito endures. Naito fights up again, ZSJ pulls on the arms, but Naito stomps ZSJ’s foot! Naito arm-drags ZSJ, dodges him, but ZSJ kicks back! ZSJ runs, into an atomic drop and NECKBREAKER!
Both men are down and fans fire up! Naito throws forearms and kicks on ZSJ, whips him to ropes then hip tosses for a basement dropkick! ZSJ staggers to a corner, Naito whips him corner to corner. Rocket kick, leg sweep, COMBINACION CABRON! Naito poses as fans fire up again! Naito gets ZSJ up, dragon sleeper for a BACKBREAKER! PLUMA BLANCA! ZSJ endures the leg hook full nelson but Naito pushes up to apply pressure. ZSJ moves around, kicks his way over and gets the ropebreak! Naito says he needs help so Red Shoes undoes the hold. ZSJ sits up but Naito CLUBS him down.
Naito hammerlocks but ZSJ resists the rest of Gloria, so Naito CLUBS him again. Naito shoves ZSJ into the corner, puts him through the ropes, but ZSJ slips around to have a DRAPING GUILLOTINE! Red Shoes counts, ZSJ lets go and kicks Naito down. ZSJ runs in to pick the leg and trip Naito up, then PENALTY KICKS Naito down! Both men are down as fans rally up. ZSJ sits up and watches Naito stir. ZSJ grins as he stands up and throws EuroUppers. Naito grins back but ZSJ throws more EuroUppers. Naito eggs ZSJ on, the EuroUppers knock him over! ZSJ watches Naito get to the corner and runs in, but into BOOTS! Naito walks into an uppercut, but he comes back to TORNADO-
No! ZSJ shoves Naito away, goes for the arm, wrench to PELE! ZSJ whips, Naito leaps but into a DRAGON SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Naito narrowly escapes but ZSJ is too tired to be upset. Fans rally up, ZSJ catches his breath as he grins at Naito. ZSJ slaps Naito around, brings him up and KICKS him in the leg. Naito drops to a knee, ZSJ KICKS him again. Naito gets up, blocks the Penalty Kick to CLUB the leg! Naito reels ZSJ in, spins him, but ZSJ slips out of the neckbreaker! ZSJ wrenches the arm but Naito avoids the Pele! Naito runs into a headbutt, but he turns uppercut into a TORNADO DDT! Both men are down but fans fire up again!
Naito crawls after ZSJ as he heads for a corner. Naito stands, eggs ZSJ on, and ZSJ stands, to get back elbows! Naito knocks ZSJ down, hops up and brings ZSJ up for ESPARANZA! Fans fire up more and Naito aims from the corner. ZSJ slowly rises, Naito runs in, but into a dropkick to the legs! ZSJ runs back in, body scissor takedown to a KNEEBAR!! ZSJ grapevines as he has the ANKLE LOCK added in! Naito endures, ZSJ ties up his legs for a figure four and even a calf killer! Naito fights, reaches and gets the ROPEBREAK! ZSJ lets off fast as fans cheer. ZSJ comes back to SMASH Naito’s knee into the mat, and then SMASH it again! And then he SMASHES the other knee!
Naito writhes but ZSJ gets a leg for a TWIST! Red Shoes checks but Naito refuses to quit here. ZSJ drags Naito up by an arm but Naito throws a forearm. ZSJ shrugs it off but Naito throws another. ZSJ CLUBS Naito, gets a leg and an arm and reels Naito in. Naito resists the lift so ZSJ kicks the bad leg. ZSJ hooks Naito up again and lifts, but Naito makes it a DDT! Naito stalks ZSJ to a corner, gets him up to the top rope, but ZSJ fights that and moves around, TOP ROPE OCTOPUS! Naito endures, Red Shoes counts the ropebreak, and ZSJ shifts to a SUNSET FLIP SIT OUT BOMB!! Cover, TWO!! ZSJ gets the legs again, HEEL HOOK!
Naito endures and pries at the grip! Fans rally as Naito rolls and rolls and gets the ROPEBREAK! ZSJ lets go again, growing a bit annoyed. ZSJ starts taunting Naito, mockingly asking if he’s okay. ZSJ then stomps Naito’s leg, but Naito CHOPS! ZSJ shrugs that off but Naito CHOPS again! And again! ZSJ kicks but Naito blocks. ZSJ blocks Naito’s kick, ducks the enziguri, and hooks up both legs to STOMP them! Naito clutches his knee but he avoids Penalty Kick to CORRIENDO SHIKI! Both men are down and fans are thunderous! Naito gets up and drags ZSJ around to fire forearms. ZSJ falls over and Naito stomps him on the back.
ZSJ stands and throws EuroUppers! Naito kicks low and reels ZSJ in for a back elbow! ZSJ drops, Naito brings him back up, another back elbow. Naito stands ZSJ up again but ZSJ gets under and around to SNAP DRAGON! But Naito rises! Naito baits ZSJ into a corner but ZSJ hits a TORNADO DDT! ZSJ gets Naito up but Naito scoops for VALENTIA!! Fans fire up as Naito wrenches and- ZSJ drops! Victory roll to EURO CLUTCH! TWO?!?! How close was that?! Naito elbows, ZSJ kicks, Naito ENZIGURIS! ZSJ dropkicks the bad leg! Naito hobbles but ZSJ sweeps the legs! ZSJ DOUBLE STOMPS the bad knee! Naito writhes but ZSJ is after him with a scoop, but Naito hits DESTINO!
Both men are down but Naito sits up first. Fans rally as Naito gets his bad leg moving. Naito drags ZSJ up, wrenches, but ZSJ body scissors to a toehold! INDIAN DEATHLOCK! Then a KIMURA!! Naito is a pretzel as ZSJ combines a leg lock with an armlock! Naito is fading, Red Shoes checks, Naito TAPS!! ZSJ WINS!
Winner: Zack Sabre Jr, by submission (gains 2 points; Naito earns 0)
The Submission Master flexes, he’s ready to show the power of being 100% Vegan! Will he make everyone in the A Block #JustTapOut?
Tomohiro Ishii VS Shingo Takagi!
The Stone Pitbull has the luck of drawing THE IWGP World Heavyweight Champion in the first round! Will Ishii determine this entire tournament’s trajectory by slaying The Dragon already? Or will Takagi use Ishii as the cornerstone of a run at the finals?
Ishii and Takagi stare down even before the bill, then they fire up in their corners. The bell rings and they start ramming shoulders! They egg each other on, they both run and ram, ram, RAM! They get forehead to forehead and the fans fire up! Then the forearms start flying! Ishii, Takagi, back and forth and fans rally. Ishii eggs Takagi on, Takagi eggs Ishii on, and the forearms keep going! Faster and faster, harder and harder, no guard or hesitation! Ishii wobbles first, Takagi hits him again! Takagi runs, rams shoulders, but Ishii comes back to return the favor. Takagi rebounds and runs Ishii over! Fans fire up as the champion stands tall in this exchange!
Takagi steadies himself, stalks Ishii, and throws him out of the apron. Takagi follows him, CLUBS Ishii against railing, then RAMS him into the apron. Takagi whips Ishii into railing, Ishii hits hard and falls in a heap. Fans cheer while Takagi takes a moment again. Takagi stands on Ishii’s head, digs his boot in, then lets off to drop a knee. Takagi drags Ishii up, bumps him off the apron, then bumps him again. Ishii just stares Takagi down! Ishii CHOPS, whips Takagi into railing, but Takagi comes back, into a POWERSLAM! Fans fire up as Ishii evens things up! Ishii tells Takagi to get up, then brings him up to put him in the ring.
Ishii stalks Takagi, brings him up and CLUBS him on the back. And then again! Ishii brings Takagi up again but Takagi throws forearms. Ishii tanks those to CHOP and CHOP again! CHOP, but Takagi fires up and fires forearms. Takagi CHOPS, Ishii doesn’t flinch and he CHOPS Takagi off his feet! Ishii eggs Takagi on some more, then stands on Takagi’s head in return. Takagi gets up, Ishii CHOPS him! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! Takagi fires a forearm, goes to scoop but Ishii knees low. Takagi staggers to a corner, Ishii CHOPS him again! And again! Takagi kicks back, boots Ishii, but Ishii CHOPS him again! Ishii eggs Takagi on and they go forehead to forehead again.
Takagi throws forearms but Ishii doesn’t back down. Takagi headbutts but Ishii CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS! Ishii stops and Takagi sputters as he falls over. Fans cheer as Ishii paces around. Ishii gives toying kicks, stands Takagi up and throws forearms. Ishii CHOPS, CHOPS and CHOPS, then eggs Takagi on. Takagi fires off forearms but Ishii DECKS him with one! Fans cheer as Ishii steadies himself. Ishii drags Takagi up, whips him to a corner then runs in, but Takagi dodges. Takagi comes back, blocks the boot and swings, but Ishii ROCKS him first! Ishii runs into ELBOW, JAB, Yukon feint to DDT! Fans are fired up while both men are down!
Fans rally up, “TA-KA-GI!” “I-SHI-I!” as the two stir. Takagi gets himself to a corner, watches Ishii rises and runs in to run Ishii over with a shoulder! Scoop SLAM and BIG back senton! Cover, TWO! Takagi rallies up the fans, brings Ishii up but Ishii’s dead weight, so Takagi drops him to drop a knee! Ishii checks his face and Takagi fires up with the fans again. Takagi dares Ishii to get up and Ishii stirs. Takagi gives Ishii toying kicks to the back of his head but Red Shoes reprimands. Takagi KICKS Ishii in the back and Ishii stands right up! Ishii glares as Takagi throws forearms, and Ishii doesn’t budge! Ishii eggs Takagi on so Takagi fires off more.
Ishii leans into the forearms and backs Takagi down! Then Ishii DECKS Takagi in the corner! Fans are fired up as the Pitbull is taking the fight to the Dragon. Ishii stands Takagi up to CHOP and forearm over and over and over! Ishii hammers in the forearms but lets off as Takagi sits down. Takagi sputters but Ishii gives him those toying kicks again. Ishii demands Takagi get up, Takagi slowly rises as Ishii keeps kicking at him. Takagi sits up, Ishi KICKS him in the back, and now Takagi stands right up! Takagi and Ishii are forehead to forehead, Ishii throws forearms but now Takagi is the one leaning into them! Takagi backs Ishii down then DECKS him in return!
Fans fire up as Takagi steadies himself and catches his breath. Takagi drags Ishii back up and fans rally. Takagi fires forearms and CHOPS over and over then fires off JAB after JAB! Red Shoes counts, Takagi throws big right hooks and left hooks until Ishii falls over! Takagi keeps the fans rallying as he drags Ishii to a drop zone, and goes up for the YUKON ELBOW! Cover, TWO! Fans fire up more as Takagi sits Ishii up. Takagi runs, but Ishii ducks the lariat! Ishii swings, Takagi spins him to a suplex! But Ishii growls as he rises back up! Takagi swings, but Ishii spins him to a suplex in return! Takagi growls as he rises, but Ishii follows.
Takagi dodges a clothesline to waistlock but dodges the back elbow. Roles reverse as Ishii waistlocks but dodges elbows. Takagi blocks, ducks and SAIDOS! But Ishii is right up to SAIDO! Takagi is back up, SAIDO!! Ishii staggers up, dodges Pumping Bomber to SAIDO!! Wait, Takagi is right back up?! SLIDING LARIAT! Ishii staggers and flounders to a corner and fans are thunderous as both men are down! Fans rally again, “TA-KA-GI!” “I-SHI-I!” as the two stir. Takagi sits up first, pounds the mat to the rhythm, and makes his way to a corner. Ishii is in the other, Takagi runs corner to corner, for a BIG corner clothesline!
Takagi hoists Ishii up top, climbs up to join him, but Ishii resists the superplex with body shots. Takagi headbutts again and again then gets Ishii back up. Fans rally as he stands on the very top, for a SUPERPLEX!! Ishii writhes but Takagi can’t make the cover right away! Takagi covers, TWO!! Ishii survives but fans rally again. Takagi grows frustrated but he keeps his focus. Takagi drags Ishii up, point-blank clotheslines and Ishii drops to his knees. Takagi stands Ishii back up for another point-blank clothesline. Ishii flops to the ropes but Takagi heads over. Takagi gives more toying kicks, then stands Ishii up again to fireman’s carry.
Ishii fights back with forearms, so Takagi clotheslines! Ishii shakes his head and then CLOBBERS Takagi! Fans are thunderous as Ishii flops back against ropes again. Takagi is dazed but Ishii fires himself back up. Fans rally up as Ishii goes over to Takagi and stands him up. Ishii runs but Takagi follows to clothesline! Takagi runs but Ishii dodges, so Takagi dodges, but ISHII LARIATS! Ishii checks his arm, gets Takagi back up and he hoists Takagi to the top rope now. Ishii climbs up to join Takagi now, but Takagi fights the superplex and the two flop off the top. Fans rally as both men are down and stirring.
Ishii and Takagi fire up, they start throwing forearms, and Ishii puts Takagi in the corner to clothesline! Ishii hoists Takagi back up top and climbs again. Bad arm or not, Ishii STALLING SUPERPLEXES Takagi!! Cover, TWO!!! Takagi survives as Ishii takes things to another level! Fans rally up, Ishii sits Takagi up and runs, but Takagi catches lariat for a half nelson! Ishii fights the pump handle but Takagi lifts. Ishii slips out, but PUMPING LARIAT outta nowhere!! Takagi even used his off hand, the left hand, for that one! Fans are thunderous again as the two are down on the mat. Takagi and Ishii go forehead to forehead like junkyard dogs!
Takagi and Ishii headbutt each other as they stand, then Takagi fires off boxing elbows! Takagi gest about a dozen in, then ROCKS Ishii with the 13th! But Ishii gives his own boxing elbows! Ishii gets about a dozen of his own and ROCKS Takagi back! Ishii swings, into a half nelson! MADE IN JAPAN!!! Cover, TWO?!?! HOW!?!? Takagi roars in frustration but the fans rally up! Takagi drags Ishii around, runs and BLINDSIDE BOMBERS! But Ishii rises again?! Takagi runs, Ishii blocks, ducks and SNAP GERMANS! Takagi stands and wobbles, but comes back to PUMPING BOMBER!! Cover, TWO!?! The Stone Pitbull still hasn’t broken!
Fans are thunderous and rallying again. Takagi headbutts the mat to fire up. “Oi! OI! OI!” Fans clap along as Takagi gets back up. Takagi drags Ishii around, pump handle and torture rack, but Ishii makes it a CRUCIFIX DRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Takagi narrowly escapes and the fans continue to rally. Ishii rolls to a corner but Takagi forces himself to get up. Ishii runs, Takagi swings, they both dodge, DOUBLE BOMBERS collide! Takagi blocks, forearms, but Ishii ENZIGURIS! Takagi falls on Red Shoes! Ishii stands and he hobbles over as fans rally, “I-SHI-I!” “TA-KA-GI!” Red Shoes is fine and Ishii reels Takagi in for a POWERBOMB! High stack, TWO!!
Ishii sits Takagi up, SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Takagi is still in this but Ishii roars. Ishii brings Takagi up, reels him in, suplexes but Takagi knees free! Takagi throws body shots, suplexes but Ishii knees free in return. Ishii wrenches, Takagi ROCKS him with a forearm, then fireman’s carries to a DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! But Ishii is up again! But he runs into the pump handle torture rack! Only to slip out and DRAGON SUPLEX! Takagi sits up in a daze and fans are thunderous once more! Ishii gets to his feet, Takagi rises, Ishii runs in to LARIAT Takagi down! Cover, TWO!! The Dragon will not be slain so easily, but Ishii roars and powers up again!
Ishii drags Takagi up, suplexes, but Takagi slips out to waistlock. Ishii throws elbows then a back headbutt! Ishii runs, into an ELBOW! Takagi gets around to DRAGON SUPLEX, SLIDING FOREARM!! Both men are down again but the fans are still loving this! Takagi and Ishii slowly rise, and Takagi gets up with the ropes. Takagi runs, PUMPING BOMBER!!! Cover, TWO!?!?! No one can believe this isn’t over yet! Takagi and Ishii are down again, but the rallying is as hard as ever. Takagi fires himself up with more headbutts to the mat, and he roars, “OI!!” Takagi gets Ishii up, Ishii CHOPS high! And CHOPS again! Ishii’s going for the throat and Red Shoes reprimands!
But Takagi JABS! Ishii HEADBUTTS! Takagi HEADBUTTS, they BOTH HEADBUTT!! Ishii roars, but Takagi HEADBUTTS first! Pump handle, torture rack, LAST OF THE DRAGONS!!! Cover, Takagi wins!!
Winner: Shingo Takagi, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Ishii earns 0)
The IWGP World Heavyweight Champion conquers the Stone Pitbull and has a very strong start to his G1! But this was just round one of this round robin, will he be able to make it to the end? As for Ishii, he gives kicks because his spirit hasn’t given up! Takagi drops one more elbow to make him stop, and the Young Lions get between them. Will Ishii make up for this loss in the coming rounds and still go for the finals?
After showing Ishii his respect, Takagi gets the mic to speak. “Gimme a minute.” Fans clap for “TA-KA-GI!” while he catches his breath. “Osu! It’s that time of year again! G1 is going to bring the intensity this Fall!” Takagi says that the fan support helped him get a great start. And he knows “there’s this misconception that the IWGP champion can’t win the G1, for some reason. Oi, who’s the idiot that started that line of thinking?!” There’s been two others before, so watch as Takagi, the third-ever world champion becomes the third-ever person to do that! Fans cheer that idea, but Takagi also says, “Watch this IWGP World Heavyweight Champion dragon go on a rampage through the G1!!” Will Takagi back up his words and make history this Fall?
Here are the current A Block standings!
Shingo Takagi: 1-0, 2 points
Yujiro Takahashi: 1-0, 2 points
Great-O-Khan: 1-0, 2 points
Toru Yano: 1-0, 2 points
Zack Sabre Jr: 1-0, 2 points
Tomohiro Ishii: 0-1, 0 points
Tetsuya Naito: 0-1, 0 points
Kenta: 0-1, 0 points
Tanga Loa: 0-1, 0 points
Kota Ibushi: 0-1, 0 points
My Thoughts:
A great opening to this G1 Climax opening weekend. A Block really surprised me by having Ibushi lose out the gate, but I felt that something had to give for him this year. He’s already had three consecutive finals appearances, and he’s won two of them in a row. To freshen things up a bit, I think Ibushi needs a crisis of confidence, maybe struggling to get out of the middle of the pack. I think his biggest match will be against Takagi as a sampler of the title match we’ve yet to see. That one could really determine everything in the block. As for Yujiro, he might’ve already gotten his definitive win here, who knows if he plays spoiler to anyone else.
The rest of Bullet Club didn’t do as well, with Kenta getting duped by Yano and Loa losing to Khan. Khan VS Loa was very good as both men were new to the G1 and not having faced each other before, I believe. Yano VS Kenta was great comedy, though, as Kenta is always surprisingly willing to go along with gags and stuff like that. Kenta’s going to face Yujiro next time and I’m very curious to see how that plays into the newest Bullet Club Civil War story. Yujiro is part of Evil’s House of Torture, Kenta seems to be Team Switchblade, this could push the tension a bit further.
Naito VS ZSJ was great stuff given all the history between them, and ZSJ winning was only a little surprising given the roll he and Taichi are on as the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champion Dangerous Tekkers. ZSJ is going to probably get some really good wins in this, but being a tag champion, he doesn’t necessarily have to win the G1. Ishii VS Takagi being the main event, of course it was the best match, and as with G1’s in the past, any match with the top champion will feel like a title match. Takagi of course stakes his claim as being the top champion to win it all, and he could come very close. At the very least, I’d like to see him in the finals to tease history being made.
My Score: 9.3/10
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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
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!
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!
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Viva La AEW!
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