Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE Tribute to the Troops Results & Report! (11/14/21)

The 19th annual edition!

Published

4 years ago

November 14, 2021

Steven Mitchell

Thank you to all those who defended the United States of America.

WWE once again presents Tribute to the Troops, to thank and honor the US Armed Forces. But will Shinsuke Nakamura ACKNOWLEDGE Roman Reigns?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Big E VS Dolph Ziggler w/ Robert Roode; Big E wins.
Bianca Belair VS Liv Morgan; Belair wins.
Roman Reigns w/ Paul Heyman VS Shinsuke Nakamura w/ Rick Boogs; Reigns wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Lilian Garcia sings the National Anthem!

WWE salutes our US Armed Forces.

We owe a debt to those who sacrificed their lives to keep up a free people. For 19 years and counting, the WWE and its superstars have given back to the real heroes of the United States. The proudest tradition continues this year, on Fox!

Big E VS Dolph Ziggler w/ Robert Roode!

The WWE World Champion gets to open this great event, and he’s taking on a familiar foe in the Show-Off! Will Big E get to give his best to this Tribute? Or will Ziggler ruin Big E’s momentum going towards Survivor Series?

The bell rings and Ziggler circles with Big E. The two tie up, Ziggler gets a leg then a waistlock then goes for the cobra twist. Big E fights that off, pries the waistlock open and dumps Ziggler with a big fireman’s carry throw! Big E thrusts and swivels at Ziggler but Ziggler kicks him back. Ziggler throws hands, shows off his swivel, then runs, but Big E drops, hurdles and gets Ziggler for the abdominal stretch! Big E starts up the clubbing to the rhythm, “NEW! DAY ROCKS!” Big E lets Ziggler out to shove and CLOBBER him! Big E drags Ziggler to the apron, CLUBS him, then takes aim. Fans fire up and Big E runs, APRON SPLASH! Direct hit and Ziggler is sputtering!

Big E high-fives all the front row fans before going into the ring. Ziggler goes back to an apron, Big E goes out after him again, but Ziggler gets in. Big E drags Ziggler out to join him, but Ziggler fights the suplex! Ziggler gets in the ring, Big E ROCKS him, but Roode grabs at E! Big E kicks Roode away but Ziggler SUPERKICKS Big E down! The champion is down as Tribute to the Troops goes to break.

TTTT returns and Ziggler is on Big E as a sleeper hold backpack! Big E stays on his feet, fans rally up and Big E powers up to throw Ziggler off! Big E then gets Ziggler for an OVERHEAD Belly2Belly! And then another! Ziggler runs, Big E dodges to get the SIDE Belly2Belly! Big E stands over Ziggler to swivel the hips, then he runs side to side to BIG SPLASH! Fans rally up as Big E claps, and Ziggler scrambles to the apron. Big E runs but into a knee! Ziggler jumps up, jumps on, FAMOUSER! Cover, TWO! Big E survives but Roode coaches Ziggler up. Ziggler drags Big E up but Big E is too big, and he fireman’s carries Ziggler instead.

Ziggler slips off, rakes the eyes, ZIGZAG!! Cover, TWO!! Ziggler can’t believe Big E survived his best! But Ziggler sees Big E slowly get up, takes aim and runs in but Big E dodges! Ziggler elbows back, hops up, leaps, but into Big E’s arms! Big E pops Ziggler up, BIG ENDING!! Cover, Big E wins!

Winner: Big E, by pinfall

But then “Big Bob” attacks from behind! Roode stomps away on Big E, throws off his vest, then demands Big E get up! Facelock, but Big E wrenches out to scoop, BIG ENDING for Roode! Now that was glorious! Will Big E make an even bigger impact on Survivor Series when he faces the Universal Champion?

WWE introduces us to Lance Corporal Nhatalyne Bordes.

Bordes joined the Marines to give back to the country that has so greatly given to her. Her joining during a time of war was a remarkable thing to Major Kevin Hoffman. Bordes knows there are those out there fighting to protect the rest of us. “It’s a rare person that joins the Marine Corps. and succeeds at it as she does.” To have the opportunity to go to Columbia University, but then saying “No, thank you,” to join the Marines is itself impressive. Bordes learned to do chin-ups, swim, and now excels at them both. She pushes herself hard, working out even at 5 AM. “If you’re not tired, that means you didn’t push yourself.”

Her specialty is legal services, and making sure good order and discipline is in ever marine. She loves her job, she loves her family, and she loves her community. That leadership is what we need in your young Marines. Her commitment to excellence has been recognized many times, and she devotes herself to the cause. She could even be a senator one day. But for now, she is honored to serve her country as a Marine.

WWE introduces us to Corporal Matheus Stitt.

Stitt came to America to serve in its military. He is an air traffic controller for the Marine Corps, and Capt. Christopher Tilque knows he is very driven to succeed. Master Sgt. Michael Nelson knows Stitt takes a lot of pride in what he does. Stitt was born in Brazil, and his father was a Marine in 1984. Stitt always looked up to his father, and his father always said the ultimate challenge was the Marine Corps. Stitt moved away from home to come here, with unheard of personal fortitude. Stitt won the Noncommission Officer of the Quarter Award, and what proved him worthy was the care and attention he puts into helping those under his command.

Stitt says helping others and becoming like a family helps when you’re away from immediate family. It is an honor to serve, to be in the Marines, and he enjoys the discipline, sense of fulfillment, and knows there is a purpose to his decision to serve. Others give their time to defend our freedom, he couldn’t do any less.

Bianca Belair VS Liv Morgan!

The EST and the LIVing Embodiment have to work together at Survivor Series as part of Team Raw, but will Bianca put the EST in testing Liv’s readiness?

TTTT returns and the #1 contender to the Raw Women’s Championship makes her entrance. The bell rings, fans fire up to see the EST, but there’s emotions abound for both women. They tie up, Bianca gets an arm and wrenches to a wristlock then wrangles Liv down. Liv kips up, wrenches back and has the wristlock. Bianca slips through, wrenches, but Liv touches her toes to wrench through. Bianca reels Liv into a headlock and takeover! Liv rolls it to a cover, TWO! Bianca holds on, Liv headscissors, but Bianca kips free. Liv hurries to headlock but Bianca blocks the takeover to power out. Liv wheelbarrows to victory roll, TWO! Bianca has the cover, TWO!

Bianca runs in to run Liv over! Bianca smiles and shrugs, things speed up and Bianca handsprings over to then say “Kiss this.” Liv lets it slide, all in good fun. Things speed up again, Liv jumps over then comes back to RANA! Bianca rolls to a corner and Liv playfully waves to Bianca as we go to break.

TTTT returns again, Liv brings Bianca up but Bianca shoves her away. Liv dropkicks Bianca to a corner, then runs in, but Bianca puts her in the corner! Liv staggers into a SPINEBUSTER! High stack, TWO! Bianca gets up as fans rally, and Bianca brings Liv up to reel her in. Bianca lifts, Liv fights the bomb then makes it a sunset flip! TWO, and Bianca stands into an ENZIGURI! Liv and Bianca are both down but Bianca is in the corner! Liv gets to ropes, drags herself up, then runs in at the corner. Bianca dodges again, runs in but into a BOOT! Liv goes up, leaps, but Bianca blocks the rana! She gets Liv up to ALLEY OOP onto buckles!

Bianca torture racks for the KISS OF DEATH!! Cover, Bianca wins!

Winner: Bianca Belair, by pinfall

Liv did her best but that always isn’t enough to beat the EST! Will these two be an even stronger team for Survivor Series?

WWE introduces the legendary Hershel “Woody” Williams.

“Individuals sacrificed their life so that we could have all the privileges we have, and have the opportunity and the thrill of saying, ‘I am an American.'” We are here today because others made it possible. 27 Medals of Honor awarded for the campaign of Iwo Jima. Only 13 survived it, and Woody is the last living of that group. He was a flamethrower operator with a team of four to protect him, and they eliminated seven pillboxes, losing two of the four as they protected him. Receiving the medal depended on them as much as what he did. He wears his medal today in their honor.

Woody has been called a hero, but he is not. The real heroes are the ones who never came home. The Woody Williams Foundation give help to those who lost someone serving in the military. It keeps families believing that that lost member served with purpose. “We owe a debt to those who sacrificed their lives to keep us a free people. They did it for a cause greater than themselves, and they are never going to be forgotten. This is what America is all about.” Semper Fi, Marines!

WWE introduces us to Matt Lewis.

He loves to say he has served his country, and that he was part of securing our freedoms. Lewis recently retired after 10 years, he can’t imagine his life any other way. The Navy brought him up so he’s giving back at Naval Station Norfolk. They are a family, but he does have a family of his own now. His wife, Liv, and his children, Alaina and Adam, are very proud of who he is and what he’s done. President John F. Kennedy said there is no greater sacrifice. Lewis will always be proud to say he was a sailor in the U.S. Navy.

WWE introduces us to Cadet Holland Pratt.

“The United States represents that symbol of hope across the world.” To be part of that same giving up hope, that’s what shapes you. Pratt went to West Point for a few reasons. Her grandmother grew up in post WWII German, after her father was killed in a concentration camp. At one time, the entire village hid under a bridge. But then someone saw and said, “It’s okay! It’s the Americans!” Pratt’s grandmother has since then lived a wonderful life, and has a wonderful family. That is all because of the sacrifice the soldiers made, so Pratt was compelled to join that same mission. People have been wearing the uniform since 1802, so that itself is an honor.

Colonel Wilson Rutherford says Pratt is the sixth female First Captain since 1990 that is in charge of all 4400 cadets. She rewards those who do excellent. Service means opportunity to empower positive change. No one is more ready to lead than Holland Pratt. If you can make even one small improvement in the world, any risk is worth it. West Point has made her into someone who sees the bigger picture. She wants to be the symbol of hope for the next generation. When she graduates, it isn’t the end of a journey but the start of an even greater one. She can’t even put it into words how much that is worth.

Roman Reigns w/ Paul Heyman VS Shinsuke Nakamura w/ Rick Boogs!

The Tribal Chief, the Universal Champion, is taking on the King of Strong Style, the Intercontinental Champion! Will Roman make Nakamura ACKNOWLEDGE him? Or will there be a new top champion on Friday Night SmackDown?

TTTT returns and Roman is finally in the ring. He raises his title, but there’s no pyro. That’s because Boogs is on stage rocking out! He introduces himself, as well as the Intercontinental Champion, Shinsuke NakamurAAAAAA~! And there’s certainly fan video of Pat McAfee rocking out, to the chagrin of Roman and the confusion of Heyman. The bell rings and fans rally for Nakamura. Roman is annoyed by that but he circles with Nakamura. They tie up, Nakamura waistlocks but Roman pries the hold apart. Roman wrenches, wristlocks, but Nakamura reaches for ropes. Roman keeps him away, Nakamura endures as Roman leans on the wristlock, but he rolls, kips and cartwheels to wrench back!

Nakamura headlocks, but Roman pulls hair to get the headlock himself. Nakamura throws body shots, powers out and things speed up, JUMP KICK! Cover, ONE!! Nakamura drops a knee! Cover, TWO! Roman crawls to a corner, Nakamura drags him up and throws body shots. Nakamura then gives Roman some GOOD VIBRATIONS~! Boogs rocks out with it, then Nakamura lets off to air guitar. Nakamura runs in but Roman ROCKS him with an uppercut! Roman runs in to throw clothesline after clothesline on Nakamura! The fans count all the way to 10, then Roman runs to LEAPING LARIAT! Roman holds up his finger to say #WeTheOnes, as TTTT goes to break.

TTTT returns once more and Nakamura has Roman down. He reels Roman into a sleeper, but Roman flails and throws Nakamura off. Nakamura comes back, into an URENAGE! Cover, TWO! Roman is surprised, but Nakamura is the King of Strong Style for a reason. Fans rally up, Roman goes to the corner and adjusts his golden glove. Roman locks ‘n’ loads, but Boogs rips ‘n’ shreds on his ax! Roman is annoyed all over again, but Heyman has Roman stay in the ring. Heyman begs of his Tribal Chief to simply focus on his match. Nakamura dodges the Superman punch! Roman dodges one kick but not the WHEEL KICK!

Boogs rocks out again, fans are with him as Nakamura takes aim! Roman rises but the Usos mug Boogs!! Nakamura goes out after them and throws them all around! Roman hurries out after Nakamura, FLYING SUPERMAN PUNCH!! “You already know!!” Roman throws Nakamura in, lets out the battle cry, and SPEARS Nakamura down! Cover, Roman wins!

Winner: Roman Reigns, by pinfall

The Bloodline works together again, and that is why Roman is standing tall. They stand tall, fingers to the sky. Will no one be able to stop the Tribal Chief and his family from doing what they want in the WWE?

My Thoughts:

A good show for Tribute to the Troops this year, just as any year. Great profile vids from both young and old, not so much stars but notable names of the military. I for one am glad to know we’ve got some great young people ready to defend the US. And obviously this wasn’t going to be the most thrilling hour of wrestling, but it was still decent stuff. Big E, Bianca and Roman were clearly going to win, even with Liv being a contender for the title. This was recorded before Raw so it wasn’t going to follow that. But I should’ve figured The Usos would help Roman win somehow. Nakamura really should be given a chance at the Universal Championship, but he might have to lose his Intercontinental title first.

My Score: 8/10

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Up Next

Mitchell’s NJPW WTL x BOSJ Results & Report! (11/14/21)

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Coverage

Mitchell’s ROH Results & Report! (3/13/26)

Who’s feeling lucky?

Published

41 minutes ago

March 13, 2026

Steven Mitchell

Very superstitious~! Writing on the wall~!

Don’t worry, it IS Friday! But with Revolution on Sunday, ROH is giving us a special bonus episode tonight, free gratis on YouTube!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Ace Austin VS KM; wins.
Marina Shafir VS Danielle Kamela; wins.
Rush VS BEEF; wins.
Persephone VS ???
Wheeler Yuta VS Serpentico; wins.
8 Man Tag: Eddie Kingston, Ortiz & Top Flight VS Roppongi Vice & MXM Collection; win.

PLAY BY PLAY

[Due to scheduling conflicts, coverage will be on delay]

About Chairshot Radio Network

MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)

TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)

WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)

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 Podcast

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!

All Shows On Demand

Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

Coverage

Mitchell’s NJPW New Japan Cup Results & Report! (3/13/26)

Who’s feeling lucky?

Published

6 hours ago

March 13, 2026

Steven Mitchell

It’s a mighty night for the New Japan Cup!

The New Japan Cup arrives in Osaka as round two continues. Tonight, Hartley Jackson VS Callum Newman, and Hirooki Goto VS Jake Lee!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Shota Umino & Masatora Yasuda VS Chase Owens & Yujiro Takahashi; Chase & Yujiro win.
Six Man Tag: YOSHI-HASHI, Satoshi Kojima & Tatsuya Matsumoto VS TMDK; TMDK wins.
Six Man Tag: Hontai VS House of Torture; Hontai wins.
Yuya Uemura & Tomoaki Honma VS WarDragons; WarDragons win.
10 Man Tag: The Unbound Company VS The United Empire; The Empire wins.
2026 New Japan Cup Second Round: Callum Newman VS Hartley Jackson; Callum wins and advances.
2026 New Japan Cup Second Round: Jake Lee VS Hirooki Goto; Goto wins and advances.

PLAY BY PLAY

2026 New Japan Cup Second Round: Callum Newman w/ Zane Jay VS Hartley Jackson!

The Prince was able to slay one giant German in the first round as he made Oskar “kiss the crown.” But now he runs into TMDK’s giant Aussie! Will Callum find a way to make the mighty kneel? Or will he see that it’s Jackson Number One!

Hartley offers a handshake to show there is sportsmanship here, but Callum just flips him off. The bell rings and Callum runs up to BOOT Hartley! Callum fires off a flurry of forearms, then he mockingly says, “Jackson, gambatte yo. <Do your best.>” Callum CLUBS Hartley, runs the ropes, but Hartley follows, blows past him, then CLOBBERS him! “Jackson Number One!” The fans cheer that! Hartley stands Callum up to CHOP him down! Callum grimaces as he stands back up, but Hartley CHOPS again! Callum stands up faster this time, but Hartley CLUBS him on the back. Hartley then CHOPS Callum in a corner!

Hartley brings Callum out to suplex, but Callum slips free! Callum waistlocks, Hartley switches, but Callum elbows free. Callum then trips Hartley and KNEES him in the side! Hartley rolls away to a corner, clutching his ribs, but Callum says, “Callum Number One!” The fans are torn but Callum walks over to Hartley. Callum digs his knee into Hartley’s face but the ref counts. Callum mocks the ref, then backs off at 4. But then he digs his boots back in! The ref counts, Callum backs off and flexes. Callum KICKS Hartley, KICKS him again, and again! Callum eggs Hartley on and slaps him around. Hartley says, “Kimochi! <Feels good!>”

Callum says okay, and slaps Hartley some more. Hartley says, “Motto! <More!>” Callum fires a forearm, but Hartley dares him to headbutt?! Callum says okay! He brings Hartley out and HEADBUTTS! But Callum’s the one dazed by that! The fans cheer as Callum has to sit down! Hartley brings Callum up to HEADBUTT, and Callum staggers to a corner! Hartley storms up on Callum, ROCKS him with a forearm, then whips corner to corner. Callum sputters but Hartley SPLASHES, then short arm LARIATS! And then SENTONS! The fans cheer while Callum sputters again. Hartley covers, TWO! Callum toughs it out but the fans rally for Hartley.

Hartley drags Callum up, fireman’s carries, but Callum fights free with elbow. Callum staggers, kicks, but Hartley blocks! Callum ROCKS Hartley, ROLLING ELBOWS, then ROUNDHOUSES! The fans applaud as Hartley falls and Callum wobbles. Callum shakes out the remaining stars from those headbutts while Hartley rolls out of the ring. Callum builds speed and DIVES onto Hartley! They both hit railing! The fans fire up while both men are down! The ref checks and Callum stands up. Callum flexes, saying he’s the best. The fans rally for Hartley while Callum goes back for him. Callum stands Hartley up to whip, but Hartley blocks!

Callum kicks Hartley, whips, but Hartley reverses! Callum hits railing hard! The fans fire up as Callum bounces off and crawls on the floor. Hartley rises, and he tells fans to move aside. The fans oblige as Hartley fetches Callum. Callum fires forearms but Hartley ROCKS him in return. Hartley then BOWLS Callum into the chairs! STRIKE! The fans fire up for that one! Hartley nods, then heads over to fetch Callum. Hartley has more fans clear out as they move through the crowd. The fans cheer as Hartley CLUBS Callum, then takes aim! Hartley BOWLS Callum again! Callum slides with a chair for the second STRIKE!

The fans cheer and Hartley bows in thanks. Hartley then makes his way over to fetch Callum again. The ref wants this back in the ring already but Hartley makes Callum take a seat. Hartley CHOPS Callum, then heads back to the ring as the count starts. No, wait, Hartley turns around, and he runs up on Callum! CROSSBODY gutter ball as Callum dodges! Hartley hits chairs instead! Callum hobbles his way to railings to rest against them. Hartley crawls, and manages to take a seat, but Callum runs up to DROPKICK him right back down! The fans rally as the count climbs, and Callum is back in at 10 of 20. Hartley sits up at 11!

The fans rally harder as Hartley struggles to rise! Hartley stands at 15, and he hurries on shaky legs! Hartley returns to ringside at 18! Hartley rolls in at 19.5! Callum is beside himself, but he wants Hartley to wait. Both men sit up into a kneeling position. Callum then fires a forearm! Hartley DECKS Callum in return! Callum sits up again, and fires another forearm. Hartley DECKS Callum again! Now Callum stands and he dares Hartley to do the same. Both men stand, and the forearms keep going back and forth! The fans rally up as the shots go faster and faster! Callum fires a flurry, then runs, but into a fireman’s carry!

Callum flails and throws elbows, but Hartley puts him on the top rope. Hartley ROCKS Callum, and Callum clings to ropes to stay up. Hartley climbs, brings Callum up, but Callum fires body shots! Callum ROCKS Hartley, then hops down to GAMANGIRI! Callum then gets under Hartley, and manages a RUNNING POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO! Hartley survives but Callum PENALTY KICKS! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up as Callum aims from a corner! Callum runs again, KNEE STRIKE! Cover, TWO!! Hartley survives again and the fans fire up! Callum grows frustrated but he then mockingly cheers Harltey on again.

Callum reels Hartley in, underhooks, but Hartley might be too big for the lift. Callum KNEES Hartley down! “Callum number one, b*tch!” Callum vows to end this, and he reels Hartley back in. But Hartley fireman’s carries! DEATH VALLEY BOMB! Cover, TWO!! Callum survives and the fans fire up again! Hartley pounds the mat, the fans rally behind him, and he torture racks Callum! BURNING- NO, Callum lands out! Callum BOOTS, HEEL KICKS, but Hartley DISCUS LARIATS! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! Callum sputters while Hartley again rallies the fans. Hartley drags Callum up, but Callum HEADBUTTS!

Both men wobble, Callum rebounds, but Hartley ELBOWS him down! Hartley hurries to cover, TWO!! Callum survives but Hartley hauls him right up! PILEDRIVER!! Cover, TWO!!! Callum survives and the fans fire up again! Hartley shouts, “IKU ZO! <Here we go!>” Hartley drags Callum up, but Zane Jay slides a chair into the ring! Hartley picks it up, hands it to the ref, and the ref puts it outside, but Callum LOW BLOWS Hartley!! Then EXCALIBUR!! Cover, Callum wins!

Winner: Callum Newman, by pinfall (advances to the next round)

The Prince needed help this time, but he still slayed another giant! Will Callum soon claim the Cup and the crown?

2026 New Japan Cup Second Round: Jake Lee VS Hirooki Goto!

Similar to Callum Newman, the Silent Jester defeated the Headhunter, but now runs into the other half of Bishamon! Will this Smart Bastard have a plan for taking down the Fierce Warrior? Or will the Goto Revolution rise again?

The bell rings and the fans rally for “GO-TO-O! GO-TO-O!” Jake conducts the fans like a choir, and there are “JA-KU! JA-KU!” fans here. Jake calls for silence as the two circle, and then they tie up. They’re in a deadlock but the fans rally again. Goto puts Jake on the ropes, but Red Shoes calls the break. Goto obliges and the fans applaud. Jake brushes that off and the two reset. They circle again, tie up again, and are in another deadlock. Jake powers Goto to the ropes, Red Shoes calls another break, and Jake lets off slowly. The fans applaud that, and Jake mocks the zanmai “HAI~!” Goto runs up, but Jake blocks the kick!

Jake kicks Goto, whips Goto to ropes, but Goto ducks ‘n’ dodges to then RUN Jake over! The fans cheer while Jake sputters. Goto stomps Jake around, then drags him up. Goto snapmares Jake into the chinlock, digging his knee into Jake’s back. Jake endures but Goto ELBOWS him in the head! Goto stomps Jake around, then brings him up. Goto CLUBS Jake on the neck, then follows him to the ropes. Goto CLUBS Jake again, then CHOPS! Goto whips, Jake reverses and KNEES low! Jake then hoists Goto up, to crotch him on the ropes! Jake mocks Goto’s pain as Goto slumps to the apron. The fans rally as Jake goes to the outside.

Jake aims from the apron as Goto stands, and runs up to PENALTY- NO, Goto blocks the kick! Goto trips Jake and he lands hard on the apron! Goto kicks Jake, then brings him around to whip, only for Jake to reverse! Goto hits railing, but he comes back! Only for Jake to get around, lift, and SLAM Goto on the apron! Jake rolls into the ring and leaves Goto to the count. Goto stirs at 3 of 20, sits up at 7, and Hashi coaches him up. Goto manages to stand at 13, but Jake is already bringing out his black medical glove. Goto rolls in at 17, but Jake stomps him! Jake cocky covers but Red Shoes refuses to count.

Jake argues with Red Shoes, and he changes feet. No, still no good. Jake properly covers Goto, Red Shoes counts, TWO! Jake drags Goto up to CLUB him, then he puts Goto on the ropes. Jake fishhooks Goto for the Bad Vibrations! Jake stops as Red Shoes reprimands, then throws the glove away. Jake stalks Goto, kicks him around, and taunts him while the fans rally. Goto frowns while Jake laughs, and Goto CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! Jake kicks low, then whips Goto to the corner. Goto reverses, then runs in, but Jake dodges! Goto hits buckles, then Jake scoops him, to put him in the Tree of Woe!

Jake fires KNEE after KNEE into Goto, then runs corner to corner to KNEE Goto out of the Tree! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer as Goto survives. Goto coughs and sputters, but Jake drags him up to whip to ropes, and KNEE! Jake whips again and KNEES! Jake whips a third time, Goto reverses, but Jake still KNEES him low! Jake runs, but Goto follows to LARIAT! The fans fire up while both men are down! Jake checks his jaw but Goto drags him up. Goto ROCKS Jake with forearm after forearm, then whips corner to corner. Goto runs up and MURAMASA! Then SAIDO! Cover, TWO! Jake is tougher than that but Goto stays focused.

The fans rally as Goto brings Jake up, but Jake fights the fireman’s carry! Jake CLUBS Goto, then waistlocks, but Goto fires elbows. Goto is free, but he runs into another KNEE! The fans are torn while Goto writhes on the mat. Jake catches his breath, then hauls Goto up for a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer as Goto survives but Jake frowns. Jake drags Goto up, bumps him off buckles, then takes aim! Jake runs corner to corner, but Goto ducks the boot! Jake is stuck on the ropes while the fans rally again. Jake hobbles from the corner, but he dodges Goto! Guzel and CHOKE SLAM! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer as Goto survives!

Jake is annoyed but he shakes his head as he stands back up. Jake watches Goto crawl back to the corner and reloads. Goto stands, Jake runs in, but Goto again dodges the boot! Dragon sleeper, and DRAPING SHOTO! The fans cheer while both men are down again! The fans rally up as Goto and Jake stir. They both sit up slowly, then head for each other. Both men stand, and Goto fires a forearm! Jake fires back! They trade forearms again and again, picking up speed! The fans rally as the shots go back and forth, neither man backing down! Jake ROCKS Goto, CLUBS Goto, then brings him up, only for Goto to HEADBUTT!

Jake drops to his knees while the fans fire up. Goto HEADBUTTS Jake again and again and again! The fans cheer as Goto tops it off with one more HEADBUTT! But Jake goes crazy! We’ve seen Jake bring this out against Yota Tsuji and Yoshi-Hashi, and now this wild joker runs up on Goto! Goto takes a swing but Jake ducks ‘n’ dodges, but Goto spins him around, URA GTR! Goto runs, but into a BOOT! Goto RIDGE HANDS! Jake ROUNDHOUSES! Jake hurries to FACELOCK GUILLOTINE! Goto flails, but he’s dropped to a knee! The fans rally harder and harder but Goto is fading! Wait, Goto gets a second wind, but Jake KNEES him low!

Jake reels Goto in, but Goto fireman’s carries! USHIGOROSHI! The fans fire up while both men are down again! Goto grits his teeth as he rises up, and he storms over to Jake. Goto drags Jake up, fireman’s carries again, G T W! Cover, TWO!! Jake survives and the fans fire up again! Goto catches his breath before he stands up again. Goto roars and the fans are with him! Goto powers up as Jake sits up, but Jake SPITS at Goto! Goto BUZZSAWS Jake down! Then he drags Jake up, dragon sleeper, G T R!! Cover, Goto wins!

Winner: Hirooki Goto, by pinfall (advances to the next round)

The Jester was defiant to the end, but his run in the New Japan Cup ends here! What will it take for Jake Lee to conquer NJPW?

As for Goto, the fans cheer him on as he gets the mic. “Everyone, thank you for coming tonight! I will definitely win this year’s New Japan Cup, and then win THE IWGP Heavyweight Championship, the belt I have never held before, and then come back here!” The fans cheer that! Goto continues by saying listen up! Follow him as he brings the Goto Revolution to another victory! The fans cheer Goto’s straightforward message, but will he truly stand on the mountaintop he has fought so long to reach?

My Thoughts:

Another very good night for New Japan Cup, though maybe not as fiery as the previous nights. Good stuff in the tune-ups again, good to see Takagi & Drilla back in action as WarDragons again. Very good match from Callum VS Hartley, and Callum is doing really well selling those chair bowling spots. Hartley did get cheated, so that protects him in the loss while building the Heel heat on Callum. Great match from Goto VS Jake, and I’m actually a little surprised this is where Jake loses. His wild joker mode is 1-2, having only worked on Hashi, but Goto is a tried and true choice so it makes sense. And Goto pointing out that, despite having the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship before, he still needs the classic IWGP Heavyweight title is great stuff.