Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW G1 Climax 31 Results & Report! (10/9/21)
Round 7, A Block!

Who gets lucky in the A Block’s seventh round?
A Block is led by the Submission Master and Golden Star, but THE IWGP World Heavyweight Champion could rise back up! Will Shingo Takagi soar again?
NOTE: 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
- Zack Sabre Jr. VS KENTA; Kenta wins.
- Toru Yano VS Yujiro Takahashi w/ Pieter; Yano wins.
- Shingo Takagi VS Tanga Loa w/ Jado; Takagi wins.
- Kota Ibushi VS Great-O-Khan; Ibushi wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Here are the current A Block standings!
Zack Sabre Jr: 5-1, 10 points
Kota Ibushi: 5-2, 10 points
Shingo Takagi: 4-2, 8 points
Kenta: 4-2, 8 points
Tomohiro Ishii: 4-3, 8 points [has special singles bye]
Great-O-Khan: 4-3, 8 points
Toru Yano: 3-3, 6 points
Tanga Loa: 2-4, 4 points
Yujiro Takahashi: 2-4, 4 points
Zack Sabre Jr. VS KENTA!
The Submission Master is still leading the block, but that could change in an instant! Will the Fang Revived take a bite out of this Dangerous Tekker? Or will ZSJ take the block by making Kenta #JustTapOut?
The two get in each other’s face as ZSJ gets in the ring. ZSJ shoves Kenta back towards the blue corner then goes to the red. ZSJ puts jacket and title belt aside, the bell rings and fans rally up as the two push each other with chests and shoulders. Kenta throws the first forearm but ZSJ gives it back. Kenta hits again so ZSJ hits back. Kenta throws another, ZSJ gives it back! ZSJ eggs Kenta on and fans rally up as the forearms fly faster and faster! ZSJ EuroUppers again and again but Kenta kicks and kicks, into a heel hook! Kenta scrambles and gets the ropebreak! The ref counts, ZSJ lets off and fans cheer as Kenta bails out. ZSJ goes out to BOOT Kenta in the leg! And then STOMP it!
ZSJ drags Kenta around, has a standing toehold, then twists the foot the other way to turn Kenta over. ZSJ lets go to STOMP the back of the knee! The ref reprimands, ZSJ gives Kenta toying kicks. Kenta stands up to SLAP ZSJ! ZSJ KICKS Kenta’s bad leg and Kenta sits down. ZSJ gets in the ring and dares Kenta to bring it. Fans cheer, the ring count starts, and Kenta paces. Kenta lets the count go to 10 of 20 before he gets on the apron, and he takes his time getting in the ropes. ZSJ waits, Kenta returns and SLAPS him again! ZSJ KICKS the bad leg, runs to KICK it again, then drags Kenta around for another toehold! ZSJ has one leg hooked while he puts the other in an ANKLE LOCK!
ZSJ then turns Kenta over, deathlocks the legs and pulls Kenta back into a modified BOW ‘N’ ARROW! Kenta endures as ZSJ has him upside-down and bending back, but then ZSJ lets him down to MUTA LOCK! Kenta endures, pops free, ZSJ has a sleeper but Kenta has the ropebreak! Fans cheer as ZSJ lets off and stomps the bad leg. ZSJ gives more toying kicks then runs, but Kenta kitchen sink knees ZSJ down! And KICKS him in the back! And then the side! And the back again! ZSJ eggs Kenta on so Kenta gives him another KICK to the chest. And another! ZSJ says bring it, so Kenta KICKS him out of the ring!
Kenta goes out after ZSJ, brings him up and around the way to whip hard into railing! ZSJ falls over, Kenta kicks at him again, then gives him toying kicks. ZSJ stands and leans on Kenta but Kenta ROCKS him with a forearm! ZSJ drops down, Kenta glares at El Desperado and Yoshinobu Kanemaru on commentary, then whips ZSJ corner to corner. Kenta might be sending a message to Suzuki-Gun through this as he puts ZSJ back in the ring. Fans cheer and Kenta smirks as he stalks ZSJ. Kenta gives more toying kicks but fans rally up, “Z S J! Z S J!” ZSJ gets to a corner as Kenta gives him more kicks, and ZSJ comes back to EuroUpper! Kenta eggs ZSJ on then rakes the eyes!
Kenta whips, another kitchen sink knee! Kenta starts undoing a corner buckle pad! He has learned well from Yano as he whips ZSJ into the bare buckles! ZSJ falls and writhes and the ref reprimands but Kenta just shrugs it off. Kenta drags ZSJ up and whips him back into bare buckles! Kenta stomps ZSJ on his bad back, brings ZSJ up but ZSJ EuroUppers! Kenta eggs him on so ZSJ fires more EuroUppers. Kenta knees low, snapmares and KICKS ZSJ in the back. Kenta stands on ZSJ for a cocky cover but ZSJ kicks out even before the ref starts! Fans fire up for that but Kenta sobats him down! Kenta snapmares but ZSJ bridges up to HALF HATCH and basement dropkick!
Fans fire up as both men are down! They rally up, “Z S J! Z S J!” and ZSJ stands. He drags Kenta up, EuroUppers again and again, but Kenta blocks the snapmare. Kenta throws body shots, ZSJ reverses the whip to drag Kenta down with wristlocks, then he scissors Kenta’s head, NECK TWIST! Kenta writhes and fans fire up again while ZSJ catches his breath. ZSJ drags Kenta up, snapmares again and fakes the kick to NECK TWIST again! Cocky cover, ONE! Kenta gets up, and he ROCKS ZSJ with a forearm. ZSJ comes back to forearm in return. Kenta ROCKS ZSJ again, but ZSJ comes back to EuroUpper! Kenta throws another forearm, ZSJ throws another EuroUpper!
ZSJ dares Kenta to keep going, so Kenta forearms again. ZSJ throws a trio of EuroUppers, Kenta ROCKS ZSJ again, but ZSJ comes back, only for Kenta to POWERSLAM! Fans fire up again as both men are down. Kenta stands, brings ZSJ up but ZSJ EuroUppers! ZSJ runs in but Kenta BOOTS! Kenta hops up and reels ZSJ in, TORNADO HOTSHOT! ZSJ is down, Kenta goes back up! Kenta aims as ZSJ stands, FLYING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Kenta gets the arm in an omoplata but ZSJ scrambles to the ropebreak! Kenta lets go, ZSJ goes to the apron but Kenta stomps him down. Kenta drags ZSJ up and through the ropes, but ZSJ brings Kenta in for an IRON OCTOPUS in the ropes!
The ref counts, ZSJ lets Kenta go at 4, but then he gets the arm on the apron to STOMP it! Kenta writhes and fans rally back up as ZSJ gets back in. ZSJ digs his elbow into Kenta’s shoulders then isolates the bad arm. ZSJ stands Kenta up to wrench the arm but Kenta throws a forearm with the good one. ZSJ wrenches again but Kenta throws another forearm. ZSJ wrenches, Kenta forearms again and again! ZSJ hits an ELBOW BREAKER, EuroUpper, but Kenta BOOTS! Kenta spins into a boot but URAKENS back! ZSJ wrenches to PELE the arm! Both men are down and fans fire up again. Kenta gets to a corner and drags himself up but ZSJ runs in, only for Kenta to put him in the ropes! BRAINKILLER!!
ZSJ clutches his neck from the draping DDT, and fans rally up as Kenta aims. Kenta runs corner to corner to JUMPING BOOT! ZSJ sits down, Kenta goes corner to corner again, HESITATION DROPKICK! Kenta growls and goes up the corner while ZSJ is still down. DIVING DOUBLE STOMPS! Cover, TWO!! ZSJ survives the coup de grace but Kenta slashes the throat. Kenta fireman’s carries but ZSJ blocks! ZSJ gets around, hooks Kenta up, COBRA TWIST! Suzuki-Gun on commentary is fired up, but Kenta fights his way out to get the omoplata! ZSJ rolls to get the TRIANGLE HOLD! Kenta rolls and pops free to go for the crossface!
ZSJ fights, scoots, rolls, pops free, and omoplata! Then he traps Kenta’s other arm! Not quite the Jim Breaks Special, and Kenta still endures! ZSJ tries to keep Kenta back but Kenta reaches out, ROPEBREAK! ZSJ has to let go but fans are fired up! Fans rally back up as both men are down and stirring. ZSJ drags Kenta up, reels him in, but Kenta blocks the scoop! Kenta throws body shots, wrenches and fireman’s carries, but ZSJ slips off to trip Kenta! Body scissor, JAPANESE CLUTCH! TWO!! ZSJ hurries to hook the legs, and he STOMPS both knees! Kenta writhes and ZSJ catches his breath as fans rally up again.
Kenta stands, ZSJ KICKS the legs out! ZSJ fires the fans up again and runs, but Kenta gets up to BUSAIKU KNEE! Both men are down again and fans rally back up. Kenta drags himself up the ropes, goes to ZSJ and runs in, but ZSJ catches knee to a HEEL HOOK! Kenta endures, reaches, but ZSJ shifts the grip! Kenta crawls and gets the ROPEBREAK! ZSJ lets go but fans are thunderous now! ZSJ drags Kenta up, hooks the bad leg around the ropes and then runs side to side to SHOTGUN the leg! Kenta falls and grits his teeth as he clutches the leg. Fans still rally, ZSJ eggs Kenta on, and then he runs to PENALTY KICK, but Kenta blocks!
ZSJ throws slap after slap, Kenta SLAPS then DISCUS LARIATS! Kenta fires up, sits ZSJ up but ZSJ ducks the buzzsaw to waistlock and drag Kenta down. But not to get a cover, he rolls Kenta sideways to tie up the legs in a KNEE LOCK CALF KILLER! Kenta rolls but ZSJ rolls with him, Calf Slicer and a heel hook, but then ZSJ puts it over the shoulder! ORIENTEERING WITH NAPALM DEATH!! Kenta fights and moves around, fans rally, and Kenta gets the ROPEBREAK! Fans are thunderous again as Kenta survives! ZSJ is too tired to be frustrated, but he does give kicks from the mat. Kenta sits up and is annoyed as ZSJ toys with him more.
The two stand, and ZSJ stomps Kenta’s leg. And again! And again! Kenta growls as ZSJ keeps kicking and dares him to bring it! ZSJ kicks and kicks but Kenta blocks to fireman’s carry! ZSJ gets out, arm-drags, EUROCLUTCH! TWO!! Kenta narrowly escapes and Suzuki-Gun on commentary is shocked! ZSJ throws a EuroUpper, ducks the Uraken and fires off SLAPPING shots! Kenta CROSS COUNTERS, then fires off more slapping shots in return! Kenta DECKS ZSJ with that last one! Kenta brings the kneepad off, drags ZSJ around, fireman’s carries and GO TO- NO! ZSJ blocks for an ANKLE LOCK! Kenta SLAPS away but ZSJ TWISTS the foot more!!
Kenta moves around, ZSJ keeps him from ropes, fans rally up again, and Kenta rolls ZSJ into the bare buckles!! Fireman’s carry! GO TO SLEEP!!! Kenta pushes ZSJ over to the cover, Kenta wins!!
Winner: Kenta, by pinfall (gains 2 points; ZSJ earns 0)
The Fang Revived refused to give up, and now he has just taken down the top of the block! Is there suddenly a new pecking order in the G1?
Toru Yano VS Yujiro Takahashi w/ Pieter!
The Clown Prince couldn’t slay The Dragon and Tokyo Pimp was made to submit to ZSJ. With time counting down to the finals, who starts their last minute run at the top right here?
Yano wants Yujiro to exit the ring as he makes his entrance, but Yujiro instead BOOTS Yano right down! Yano gets up and Yujiro builds speed as the bell rings. Yujiro DIVES to take Yano out at the ramp! Fans fire up as Yujiro gets up and grabs Yano’s special red chair. Yujiro takes off the advertisement, sits it up on the ramp, then pours out Yano’s bag of tricks. And yes, there were plenty of cuffs and wrist tape rolls in there. Yujiro uses tape to tie up Yano completely! He’s wrapping him like a mummy! Yujiro makes Yano take a seat and then BOOTS him down! Fans cheer but the ring count is climbing! Yujiro goes in at 10 of 20 and leaves Yano to the count’s mercy.
Yano is still down at 15 of 20! He manages to stand at 17 and undoes the tape to get in at 19! Yujiro stomps Yano down, then copies him by undoing a corner buckle pad! Well Yano’s tricks are all well known, it isn’t that hard to copy. Yujiro struggles with that last bit, though, so he gives up on that to stomp Yano down. Yujiro then tries to untie the other neutral corner pad. This one was easier to figure out and then he goes to Yano. Yano kicks and facelocks, but Yujiro BITES his hand! Yujiro whips Yano into bare buckles! And now Yujiro unties Bullet Club’s favorite blue corner buckle pad! Half the corners are bare and the ref reprimands.
Yujiro brings Yano up and whips him into the blue corner! Yano bounces off more bare buckles, and now Yujiro undoes the red corner! Three corners are bare and Yujiro goes to Yano again. Yujiro whips Yano and Yano hits bare buckles again! Pieter is happy to see this as Yujiro covers, TWO! Yujiro keeps cool as he brings Yano up again and throws him out of the ring. Yujiro then pursues, Pieter sneaks the pimp cane to him and distracts the ref. Yujiro gets some space then runs in at Yano, CANE SHOT! Yujiro drops the cane and Pieter leaves the ref alone as Yujiro drags Yano up. Yujiro puts Yano in and covers, TWO!
Fans rally but Yujiro stomps Yano down. Yujiro knees Yano low, and again, then stands him against ropes. Yujiro backs up to BOOT! Yujiro then runs but into an atomic drop! Yano says it’s time for payback, and he whips Yujiro. Yujiro reverses, Yano stops himself and then dodges as Yujiro runs in! Yujiro gets bare buckles, Yano rolls him up, TWO! Fans fire up and Yano goes to low blow but Yujiro blocks! Fireman’s carry but Yano slips out. Yujiro dodges the clothesline, kicks low and then shoves Yano into bare buckles! But the ref won’t let Yujiro low blow! Yano learns that was the plan and he rakes Yujiro’s eyes! Clinch and Belly2Belly suplex!
Fans fire up with Yano and he runs, into Yujiro’s LARIAT! Pieter is happy again and Yujiro drags Yano up. Fisherman BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Yujiro fires up and fans rally as he brings Yano up. Yano avoids Pimp Juice, shoves Yujiro into the ref, and LOW BLOWS! But Yujiro holds onto the ref as Yano rolls him up! The ref goes down and can’t count the cover! Yano would’ve won if not for that! Yano tells the ref to get up already, but Yujiro LOW BLOWS Yano! Both men are down and feeling real sore as fans rally up. Yujiro staggers up and hobbles over to Yano to bring him up and throw him out. Yujiro gets some of Yano’s cuffs and gets them on Yano.
The ref sees this and reprimands but Yujiro brings Yano to railing! Yano fights free, and goes under the ring?! Pieter and Yujiro look around but they don’t find Yano. Yujiro shouts for Yano to get out from under the ring, but then he goes under after him! The ref looks for both of them, Pieter wonders where they’ll come out from, and a ring count starts. What are they even doing under there? We’re at 10 of 20 but we still have no signs of them. Wait, Yano gets kicked out from under but he hurries into the ring at 15! Yujiro is the one who ended up cuffed?!? Yujiro is stuck outside, Yano wins!!
Winner: Toru Yano, by count-out (gains 2 points; Yujiro earns 0)
Pieter is in shock! Tokyo Pimp got caught and the provisional Mr. KOPW 2021 gets away with it! Will Yano continue to find new ways of skirting the rules to victory?
Shingo Takagi VS Tanga Loa w/ Jado!
The IWGP World Heavyweight Champion is not out of the running, but his chance at history could be ended if he isn’t careful. Can the Silverback go Ape Shit and slay the Dragon in the seventh?
Loa and Jado Low Sweet and Takagi puts aside the jacket and world title. The bell rings and fans rally up as Takagi and Loa approach. Loa rams Takagi with a shoulder, then fires off forearms in the corner! Fans rally but Takagi turns things around and he fires off forearms in return! Takagi tops it off, Loa goes forehead to forehead with Takagi, so Takagi throws another forearm. Loa roars and forearms back, but Takagi brushes it off. Takagi throws another forearm, Loa nods and throws another. Takagi forearms, Loa returns it, again and again as fans rally up. They build up speed, drop the guard and just keep going!
Loa gets the edge, eggs Takagi on, and Takagi forearms, knees and headlocks! Loa powers out and the two ram shoulders, but neither falls. Loa and Takagi fire up, Loa runs and they ram shoulders again. Loa dares Takagi to try, and Takagi runs, but Loa drops. Takagi then stops at the ropes to fake out the hurdle, and he runs Loa over with a shoulder! Fans cheer and Takagi brings Loa around for an elbow drop. And another! And BACK SENTON! Cover, TWO! Takagi wraps on a rear bearhug to keep Loa down. Loa fights up, Takagi straddles and body scissors. Loa endures the squeeze, Takagi CLUBS him on the back, but Loa crawls and reaches out to get the ropebreak.
Takagi lets Loa go to stomp him down, but Jado coaches Loa up. Fans build to a rally, Takagi puts Loa on the ropes to knee low. Takagi throws another knee, whips Loa to ropes the knees him again. Takagi runs but into Loa’s DROPKICK! Fans fire up while both are down, but Loa gets fans rallying up. Takagi goes to ropes, Loa runs in but Takagi puts him on the apron. Takagi ROCKS Loa, runs but Loa holds the ropes down and Takagi ends up on the apron with him! Loa CLUBS Takagi, brings him up but Takagi stops that to fireman’s carry. Loa fights that and they start throwing forearms on the apron’s edge. Loa gets the edge with his forearms, then APRON BACK SUPLEXES!
Fans fire up and Jado coaches Loa up while Takagi writhes on the apron. Loa catches his breath, and drags Takagi to the floor. Loa leaves Takagi behind as fans rally up, and a ring count begins. Loa wants it to go faster, then he gets impatient and goes out after Takagi. Loa CLUBS Takagi on the back, then CLUBS him against railing. Loa puts Takagi back into the ring then slingshot sentons! Fans fire up as Loa STANDING MOONSAULTS! Cover, TWO! Loa argues the count but Red Shoes says it’s fair. So Loa CHOKES Takagi! Red Shoes counts, Loa stops at 2 and drags Takagi up into a sleeper. Takagi endures and fights up to throw body shots.
Takagi is free and he snap suplexes! But Loa is right up! Loa roars and runs Takagi over with a shoulder! Fans fire up while Loa paces around. Loa drags Takagi up, fireman’s carries and RAMS Takagi into a corner. Loa RAMS his shoulder in more, then lets off to stand Takagi up. Loa throws forearm after forearm, but Takagi headbutts! Loa headbutts back! Loa applauds Takagi’s fighting spirit and he stands Takagi up to whip corner to corner and clothesline! Then a whip out then in for another clothesline! Loa nods and brings Takagi up to scoop, OKLAHOMA STAMPEDE! Cover, TWO! Loa keeps on Takagi with a trap of the arm, and the OG KILLER CROSSFACE!
Takagi endures and fans rally up as Loa pulls back! Loa pulls back even further but Takagi fights and moves around to get the ropebreak! Red Shoes counts, Loa lets off at 3, and fans rally up as Takagi rises. Loa reels Takagi in but Takagi fights the clinch with elbows. Loa kicks low, runs, but Takagi ELBOWS! JABS! YUKON LARIAT! But Loa stays up? So Takagi JABS again, YUKON feint to the DDT! Fans fire up again as Takagi stands. Takagi drags Loa up, whips him to the corner then runs in but blocks the boot. Takagi clotheslines through! “Mada mada!” Takagi goes to suplex but Loa blocks! Takagi powers up and suplexes Loa high and hard! Cover, TWO!
Takagi fires the fans up with “OI! OI! OI!” and they clap along. Takagi gets up, his ribs bothering him. He drags Loa up, reels him in but Loa blocks the back suplex. Takagi keeps trying but Loa pries the hold open. Loa wrenches, kicks, kicks and ENZIGURIS! But Takagi comes back, only to swing into a BLUE THUNDER BOMB! Cover, TWO! Fans fire up but Loa is shocked! Fans rally again, Loa brings Takagi up and reels him in, but Takagi blocks the bomb. Takagi back drops Loa away and comes back to get around, SAIDO! Loa gets up, ducks the lariat and EXPLODERS! But Takagi’s up in the corner, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Loa comes back to LARIAT Takagi down!
Loa storms back over to Takagi, gets him up, SIT-OUT POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!! Takagi is still in this and Jado is frustrated on Loa’s behalf. Fans rally up and Loa slowly gets up. Loa drags Takagi up, scoops and aims, but Takagi gets the ropes and sits on the top rope. Takagi drives elbows into Loa’s shoulder, shoves him away, but Loa PELES back! Loa then goes up top to join Takagi, and brings Takagi up onto his shoulder! SUPER POWERSLAM!! Cover, TWO!! Takagi survives and Loa can’t believe it! Fans rally up hard as ever for “TA-KA-GI! TA-KA-GI!” as Loa aims from a corner. Takagi stands, Loa runs in, but Takagi blocks the spear to fire off knees!
Loa kicks back, scoops again, but Takagi slips out the back and runs, SLIDING LARIAT! Both men are down and fans fire up again! Loa gets to a corner, Takagi aims from the other, Takagi runs in to clothesline! Takagi then hoists Loa up top, climbs up to join him, and the two brawl up top. Loa throws forearm after forearm but Takagi holds on to headbutt again and again! Takagi brings Loa up to the very top, for a SUPERPLEX! Both men are down but fans fire up again! Takagi still isn’t done, he gets himself up and wants Loa to stand. Loa rises, Takagi runs, PUMPING BOMBER! But Loa stays up!? Takagi brings Loa around to POINT-BLANK PUMPING! But Loa just fires up!
Loa BOOTS, shouts, “Not today!” He runs but into a clothesline! Takagi runs, into a SPEAR! Loa hurries to get Takagi up and in a corner. Loa gets Takagi up but Takagi RANAS, only for Loa to block! Loa swings Takagi back up, but Takagi RANAS out after all! Takagi fires up and runs in to PUMPING BOMBER! Both men are down and fans are thunderous! Takagi fires up and brings Loa around. Pump handle but Loa blocks the lift! Loa CLUBS away, Takagi fires forearms in return. Loa forearms back, Takagi gives Loa more. Loa hits back and eggs Takagi on. Takagi fires off boxing elbows, but Loa just fires another! JAB from Takagi, but Loa HEADBUTTS! Both go down again!
Fans rally back up and Loa roars as he fires himself up. Loa drags Takagi up, scoops him, but Takagi fights and flails to get a dragon sleeper! Takagi puts Loa in the ropes, TAKAGI DRAPING GTR! Then pump handle and torture rack, LAST OF THE DRAGONS!! Cover, Takagi wins!
Winner: Shingo Takagi, by pinfall (gets 2 points; Loa earns 0)
The Dragon still soars! With this fifth win, Takagi’s G1 run is still alive! Will he be the third top champion to make it all the way?
Kota Ibushi VS Great-O-Khan!
The Golden Star is rising while the Dominator is falling! Will Ibushi shine bright as he pursues the top spot in the block? Or will Khan redeem himself in the name of the United Empire?
The bell rings and the two circle. They feel out the grapple as fans build to a rally, “I-BU-SHI!” Khan goes for legs, Ibushi holds him off and they end up on ropes. Khan lets off quickly and cleanly, and the two reset. Ibushi tries testing jabs and then a KICK! Khan got his guard up but he still staggers back. Khan goes to a corner to reset and the two circle again. Khan kicks, Ibushi shrugs it off to give one back. Khan tries a kick and elbow but Ibushi stays back. Ibushi and Khan feel the grapple out, clinch against ropes, and Ibushi pushes Khan away. Fans cheer the exchange as the two reset again. Ibushi and Khan each try testing kicks and strikes but neither backs down.
Ibushi pushes the aggression but Khan kicks back. Ibushi tries a combo but has to guard quick as Khan comes back with his own. They keep working on each other’s guard, then they clinch again. Khan gets a takedown, Ibushi holds off the lateral press so Khan goes after an arm. Ibushi blocks the double wristlock so Khan drives in elbows. Ibushi rolls to avoid the armbar, and now he has the top mount. Ibushi tries but Khan holds off the armbar and they end up in ropes. Khan backs away and fans cheer the exchange. Ibushi stands and dares Khan to bring it. Khan keeps cool and he circles with Ibushi again. They go back to testing the waters with kicks and hands but still can’t get in.
Khan grabs a leg, drags Ibushi down, but Ibushi keeps his hands together as Khan wants the armlock. Khan goes for the lateral press, Ibushi keeps moving around, so Khan tries for the katagatami. Ibushi gets an arm in, slips around and waistlocks but Khan rolls to drop toehold. Ibushi gets up, gets around but Khan slips away. Fans cheer as the two stand off and reset again. Ibushi and Khan circle, Khan tries jabs and Ibushi tries kicks, then they switch it up. Khan throws palm strikes but Ibushi brushes those off, and has his guard up for the back hand. Ibushi tries but Khan catches his backhand to a clinch. They go around and Ibushi gets a judo throw!
Fans cheer but Khan holds off the lateral press. Ibushi tries a top mount but Khan CHOPS in the gap. Ibushi stays on Khan but Khan slips out the back to tie up the legs. Khan then shifts to get the arm but Ibushi rolls, only to end up in a headscissor. Ibushi kicks around, gets up and tries to stack Khan up but Khan throws in some elbows. Ibushi hops over, floats back to a mount but Khan gets a ropebreak. Red Shoes calls for it and Ibushi lets off slowly. Khan lets Ibushi back off and fans cheer the sportsmanship. Ibushi waits on Khan now but Khan uses a leg guard to advance. Khan kicks, gets up and tries again but Ibushi dodges.
They feel things out again, Khan kicks but Ibushi comes back with kicks of his own. The two get in closer, Ibushi wants legs but Khan sprawls and throws body shots from above. They end up on ropes and Khan sits back as Red Shoes calls for the ropebreak. Ibushi lets off and Khan rolls away to get space. Fans cheer, and the chess game begins again. Fans rally as the two circle. Khan tries a sideways stance for his kicks but Ibushi avoids them. Ibushi kicks but Khan catches it to SLAM Ibushi down! Then Khan drops for a HEEL HOOK! Ibushi endures, uses his free foot to scuff Khan but Khan turns things over for more leverage on the leg. Ibushi crawls around and gets the ropebreak!
Khan lets go and gives Ibushi space now, and even dares him to bring it. Ibushi takes a second, and the two approach while kneeling on the mat. Khan tries straight shots but Ibushi guards. Ibushi tries back, Khan throws more, and the two circle around as they stand. Khan ends up in a corner, he stays along the ropes and gets around to get the head and arm! Ibushi stays up, but Khan hits an STO! Ibushi is caught, Khan leans his weight on the katagatami, and fans rally up. Khan thrashes but Ibushi endures and fights around. Ibushi kicks and gets to a ropebreak! Khan puts more pressure on before letting go at 4. Khan then has his knee on Ibushi’s face! Red Shoes counts, Khan walks away at 4.
Khan drags Ibushi and has the double wristlock while sitting on Ibushi’s head. Khan throws some toying body shots and then digs his elbows into Ibushi’s legs. Ibushi endures as Khan shifts the grip for a top wristlock. Khan CHOPS Ibushi, pulls at the arm, but Ibushi fights with his free arm. Khan slaps and chops him around, then stands up to kick Ibushi in the back. Khan throws more kicks but Ibushi eggs him on. Khan kicks again, toys with Ibushi a bit, but Ibushi kicks back from the mat! And KICKS! Ibushi stands to KICK and Khan falls over! Ibushi gets the other leg, ties them up, FIGURE FOUR LEGLOCK! Khan is furious as he flails and Ibushi adds pressure!
Fans rally as Khan grits his teeth. Khan grabs at Ibushi, Ibushi pushes up for more leverage! Khan pries at the legs, tries to turn things over, but Ibushi smacks his own leg to keep the hold on! Khan flounders and reaches, and gets the ropebreak! Fans fire up as Ibushi lets go and drags Khan away from the ropes. Ibushi tries again but Khan boots him away. Khan hits a judo arm-drag, and then prepares his fist. Ibushi stands up, into a STRAIGHT RIGHT!! Both men are down after that iron fist as Khan clutches his leg. Fans rally up, Khan gets to his feet and shows off some footwork. Ibushi stands up into a THRUST KICK! Cover, TWO!
Khan drags Ibushi back up, tackles him back down and rolls to a CALF KILLER! Ibushi throws elbows and forearms and slapping strikes! Khan CHOPS, Ibushi SLAPS, it’s a close range slap fight! Khan ROCKS Ibushi, he falls back, and Khan clamps on to drag Ibushi up. Khan throws body shots and knees as he puts Ibushi in the corner. Khan CLAPS away on Ibushi’s neck but Red Shoes has him let off. Khan lets off with a SLAP, and Ibushi’s expression changes. STRAIGHT SHOT from Ibushi! And fast hands from all sides! SOBAT! Is this KOWAI Ibushi?! “YAO~!” BOMAYE!! Cover, TWO!! Khan survives but Ibushi fires up with the fans!
Ibushi waistlocks and drags Khan up. Ibushi full nelsons but Khan breaks it to victory roll and KNEEBAR! Ibushi endures as Khan pulls and twists the ankle! Ibushi pounds the mat as he crawls, but Khan gets up to shift to a deep ANKLE LOCK! Ibushi still endures and fans rally up! Ibushi stands and ENZIGURIS! Khan staggers, Ibushi gets up to STRAIGHT SHOT! Khan comes back, into a KNEE!! Ibushi is down but Khan flounders about and the fans are thunderous! Ibushi sits up and vows to end it here! Ibushi gets the wrists, Khan has a bloody nose, KAMI- NO! Khan avoids the knee, reels Ibushi in, but Ibushi wrenches to ROUNDHOUSE! Cover, TWO!!
Ibushi can’t believe how close that was! But he brings the kneepad down now and he drags Khan back up. Ibushi has the wrists, KAMI- IRON CLAW?! The claw blocks the knee?! Khan lifts Ibushi by his leg but Ibushi ENZIGURIS with the other! Ibushi fires up again, drags Khan back up and BARE KNEE KAMIGOYES!! Ibushi falls on the cover, Ibushi wins!!
Winner: Kota Ibushi, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Khan earns 0)
Khan may be great, but on this night, the Golden Star is greater! Khan’s chances of being a contender are dashed, but can he be a spoiler to the Dragon in the next round?
As for Ibushi, he catches his breath and gets the mic. “Great-O-Khan! You’re a fun one. Everyone, that was fun, right?” Ibushi tells “O-Khan” that he was glad to see Oka back in the ring again. But Ibushi just earned his sixth victory in this year’s G1, and is that much closer to his fourth finals appearance in a row. “And like I always say… Whatever happens, I won’t back down, I won’t lose, and I won’t betray you!” The Golden Star is staying true to his words, but can he keep winning in the homestretch?
Here are the current A Block standings!
Kota Ibushi: 6-2, 12 points
Kenta: 5-2, 10 points
Zack Sabre Jr: 5-2, 10 points
Shingo Takagi: 5-2, 10 points
Tomohiro Ishii: 4-3, 8 points [ELIMINATED] [won special singles bye]
Toru Yano: 4-3, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
Great-O-Khan: 4-4, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
Tanga Loa: 2-5, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
Yujiro Takahashi: 2-5, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
My Thoughts:
Another very good round for the G1 Climax, with ZSJ VS Kenta being a great match before intermission again. Kenta winning was quite the surprise but it now adds to the battle for the block. Yano and Yujiro was pretty good and that finish was hilarious, but of course both guys are out so this was more an entertaining filler. Takagi VS Loa was great, as Loa again gets to really bust out some stuff, but of course Takagi wins to keep things going towards him making history. Ibushi had an awesome match with Khan, especially with the use of martial arts training and technical wrestling throughout. Ibushi wins to keep his own historic streak possible, and gets his No Naito Bye so round 8 is all about seeing who from Kenta, ZSJ and Takagi loses.
My Score: 9.1/10
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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 BLISS 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 SUPLEX 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 ADJUSTMENT 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
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Coverage
Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 6.19.25
Are we going to start trending upwards with Slammiversary to build toward?

Last week’s episode was lacking in ring work but had decent story moments and segments. Starting the build to Slammiversary we can either launch nicely or things can always get worse. Jason Hotch and KC Navarro are the real shining stars of the last few months, so lets hope once they get over this Leon Slater idiot ship, they can push X Division wrestlers with actual talent for pro wrestling and not just flippy charisma vacuums.
Oh and let’s not forget, it is the episode they celebrate the 23rd anniversary of TNA! TWENTY – THREE!! Somewhere PCO hates this.
.@Kelly_WP is back in TNA Wrestling and has a message for TNA Knockouts World Champion @mashaslamovich!
WATCH #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/cF0F1ZKKuL pic.twitter.com/tnm4TIuPUz
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) June 20, 2025
Ratings:
- Sami Callihan vs Eric Young w/Losers: EY wins via Piledriver – ** 3/4
- Lei Ying Lee & Masha Slamovich vs The Elegance Clique w/M & Personal Concierge: Elegantos win via Rarefied Air – ***
- Eddie Edwards & JDC w/Alisha & Brian Myers vs Matt Cardona & Home Town Man: HTM wins via Cradle – *
- Champion’s Challenge: The Rascalz, Joe Hendry, Leon Slater & Elijah vs The Kaiba Boys, Moose, Steve Maclin & Trick Williams: Elijah wins via Highwayman’s Farewell – ***
Results:
Sami Callihan vs Eric Young w/Losers
Sami knocks them all off the apron before the bell rings, he levels the loser children, finds a chair, attacks EY but EY counters and this is the excuse to use weapons since the bell didn’t ring yet. EY tries to break Sami’s hand on the steps with the chair, but Sami moves, throws EY back in the ring, bell rings and EY hits a Belly to Belly suplex for two. They slug it out, Sami goes for Headbutts, then Sami wants to run the ropes but a loser trips him, distracts long enough for EY to knock him out of the ring and loser children swarm as loser children do. EY does the classic, throw back out for losers to attack while EY grabs and distracts the ref. Sami is selling a few lame attacks from the losers like he got shot. It’s an excessive sell, so it’s honestly a dumb transitional moment.
EY levels Sami, Lariat into Scoop Slam, looks for the Macho Elbow but Sami hits the ropes to crotch EY. Sami Superplex time, but EY bites the face to make Sami drop, EY jumps at him but eats a straight right hand. Cactus Driver, but no, EY tries his Piledriver…they both gouge eyes at the same time, Sami catches an EY charge into a Flatliner as they’re both down…for…reasons? The selling in this match seems…poorly timed and kinda stupid. Hard Irish Whip, EY Flair Flips the corner, levels Sami, Macho Elbow for 2.9! EY threatens to hit the ref, but then goes to mad dog commentary. EY then wants to attack fans…he’s more unhinged than World Elite EY. Sami gives him the old Dick Twist into a Stunner but only for two! Losers try to distract, first one gets taken out, second one uses a chair, EY hits the Piledriver on Sami, EY wins.
I feel like this is gonna continue for a few weeks since it wasn’t a clean win.
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?
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?
.@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.
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:
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