Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (12/21/21)
Tuesday Night STREET FIGHT!
Big Mami Cool has a score to settle!
This has been a long time coming! Dakota Kai betrayed Raquel Gonzalez and cost her the NXT Women’s Championship, but will she survive Raquel’s wrath?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Street Fight: Raquel Gonzalez VS Dakota Kai; Gonzalez wins.
- The Creed Brothers w/ Diamond Mine VS Grizzled Young Veterans; The Creed Brothers win, by disqualification.
- Trick Williams w/ Carmelo Hayes VS Dexter Lumis; Lumis wins.
- Von Wagner VS Edris Enofe; Enofe wins.
- Elektra Lopez w/ Legado Del Fantasma VS Io Shirai; Shirai wins.
- Pete Dunne VS Tony D’Angelo; Dunne wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Tommaso Ciampa is in the ring to start NXT!
THE NXT Champion holds up Goldie and he has the mic already. Fans chant his name, and Ciampa says, “Listen guys, I got a little bit to get off my chest today. As everybody knows, as the NXT Champion, you are the hunted. Everybody has their eyes on you and that title you hold above your head.” But as NXT Champion, Ciampa’s different from all the others before him. Ciampa does the hunting. And last week, Bron Breakker was the hunted. Bron is probably gonna come out and interrupt, but Ciampa says he doesn’t need to. Ciampa invites Bron to the ring! Ciampa wants to say something to his face. And so, Bron Breakker heads to the ring!
Fans bark as Bron goes to the ring and Ciampa has him skip getting the mic. Ciampa already knows what Bron’s thinking, anyway. Ciampa knows what Bron wants to say: at WarGames, Bron made a statement! Hell, Bron speared Ciampa through a table in the corner, shattered it to pieces, and pressed Ciampa and spiked him to the mat and won! Bron doesn’t just want another shot at the title, he earned another shot! And he didn’t just earn it on any show, it will be on a big stage! Ciampa is thinking New Year’s Evil, Ciampa VS Bron II for the NXT title! Ciampa agrees with all of that. Bron deserves this. Just hopefully, he doesn’t drown like he did the first time.
Ciampa wants Bron to remember that in two weeks, New Year’s Evil, Bron gets his second opportunity. Some don’t even get one, and Bron gets two! Isn’t he special? Bron earned it, that’s why, and we all know it. But remember something. Remember what Ciampa said about jumping into the deep end. At Halloween Havoc, Ciampa exposed Bron’s inexperience both in the ring and in life. There is no replacement for experience and time. Bron has all the tools, we all know that! HE’s super intense, strength for days, but the thing is, Bron is not ready to be champion in Ciampa’s NXT.
We’re talking about THE NXT Championship. Held by guys like Sami Zayn, Kevin Owens, Shinsuke Nakamura and Finn Balor. Guys like Tommaso Ciampa. Guys who spent a decade before ever getting to the WWE, then another ten IN the WWE perfecting their craft! But Bron’s had what? matches? Well Bron’s doing great, no disrespect! Just, not quite enough to be ready for the title, the bright lights, the weight of the world on your shoulders. It’s all too much too soon. Remember Halloween Havoc, one mistake, and it all slipped away. Surely it won’t happen again. Surely Bron won’t make another mistake.
In Bron’s “fantasy world,” nothing is better than New Year’s Evil, Bron leaving as the NEW champion! And if he does, he’ll take it home to the family and they’ll be so proud, put it on the mantle, barking and clapping for “Lil’ Bronny” who did it all by himself. Bron’s a champion~! And then reality hits. Ciampa SLAPS Bron! That reality is staring Bron in the face! It’s the greatest NXT champion of all time! Bron choke grips Ciampa and trophy lifts him!! And then lets him down easy. Bron picks up the belt, grinning the whole time. Bron hands the belt back to Ciampa, and says blood is in the water! The shark is gonna eat Ciampa alive! “See you in two weeks, CHAMP!”
Bron leaves Ciampa sitting and clutching Goldie. Is the Big Booty Nephew going to get the better of Daddy Ciampa to start 2022?
Grayson Waller posts to Instagram.
“No disrespect to AJ Styles, when I was a kid, I loved AJ Styles. Everyone, ‘Yeah yeah, AJ Styles!’ See, people love AJ Styles. But I feel like he’s kinda like that other guy I’ve read of, he’s just hanging on a little bit too long. It’s 2021, AJ. Like, you have money. Get a haircut, lad!” Waller says $20 sorts Styles all out. Tinder would left swipe all over on him. Think about this? The Phenomenal Grayson Waller. At least he doesn’t have a mom haircut! No offense to Waller’s mom, that’s on Styles. But speaking of, Styles is heading into NXT as we speak! Will Styles show the 21st Century Success Story what it takes to be phenomenal?
Raquel Gonzalez enters the arena.
And Dakota rushes Raquel with a road case!! Raquel dodges it, Dakota KICKS her, then RAMS her into spare ladders! Dakota fires off forearms, Raquel staggers away, and Dakota grabs a pipe! Dakota aims and swings, but Raquel blocks to shove Dakota down! Dakota rushes back in, but her huricanrana is blocked and Raquel SWINGS Dakota into spare girders! Raquel stalks Dakota, SMACKS her with a pipe of her own, then they continue further back. Raquel gets Dakota up and LAWN DARTS her into fencing! Raquel goes again but Dakota slips off to shove Raquel into that fencing! Dakota BOOTS Raquel, and BOOTS her again!
Raquel is down and Dakota leans against the fencing. Dakota finds a chair, but Raquel lifts the girder! Raquel RAMS Dakota down with it!! Raquel drags Dakota up, scoops her again, and then SNAKE EYES Dakota off a road case! Raquel stalks Dakota more, even as Dakota pushes things over to block Raquel’s path! Raquel gets through but Dakota starts throwing things! Raquel still keeps coming and BOOTS Dakota down! Raquel clears off a big road case, but Dakota avoids being smashed between it and another! Dakota SMACKS Raquel with a trash can, and then SMACKS her with it again! Dakota laughs as she SUPERKICKS Raquel down!
Dakota hobbles away, Raquel sputters, and referees rush in. They tell Dakota to stop until the match starts, but Dakota tells them to shut up and leave her alone. Dakota sets up a table, but Raquel runs her down with a dolly! Raquel rains down hands, then runs the dolly into the garage door! Dakota hits the steel then flops off the dolly! Raaquel looks for more weapons but Dakota gets up and RAMS her into a scissor lift! Dakota runs away, Raquel hobbles and flounders after her. The refs keep trying to guide this to ringside but they’re outside in the parking lot! Raquel RAMS Dakota into the garage door again! NXT stays with this as it goes picture in picture!
Dakota smacks Raquel off the side of the building! Dakota flees but Raquel is in hot pursuit! Raquel RAMS Dakota into someone’s SUV! Dakota flounders away but Raquel pursues. Dakota gets shoved into the cameraman! Dakota kicks Raquel back, but Raquel shoves her into security railing. Raquel runs in, only to whiff and hit the railing herself! Dakota hobbles away again but Raquel gets back up. Raquel chases after but Dakota kicks her and brings her into the building. Dakota smacks Raquel off another case, then throws forearms. Dakota throws Raquel into a ladder! Dakota stomps Raquel down, but Raquel gets up.
Dakota CLUBS her and throws hands, but Raquel hits back! They’re behind the fan seating! Raquel smacks Dakota off stairs, then throws her into a wall! The wall cracks and Dakota falls over! Raquel drags Dakota along but Dakota hits back. They brawl their way into the ringside area! Fans are definitely surprised to see where they came from. Raquel brings out a ladder from under the ring! Dakota blocks the apron bump to bump Raquel instead. Dakota CLUBS Raquel, fires off more forearms, but Raquel RAMS Dakota into the apron! And again! Raquel RAMS Dakota a third time, throws body shots, then RAMS Dakota in a fourth time!
Dakota falls, clutching her side, but Raquel ain’t done! Raquel stands her up, but Dakota ducks and Raquel hits the post! Dakota forearms and CHOPS on repeat, but Raquel POSTS Dakota! NXT returns to single picture, the match is official!
Street Fight: Raquel Gonzalez VS Dakota Kai!
Raquel SMACKS Dakota with the hood of the announce desk! Raquel puts chairs in the ring, brings out kendo sticks, and throws some at Dakota! Raquel brings out trash cans, then pulls the steel steps apart! Raquel runs but Dakota avoids getting rammed down! Dakota BOOTS Raquel down, SMACKS her off the steps, then CLUBS her on the bakc. Dakota brings Raquel around to RAM into Plexiglas! Fans are going nuts as Dakota takes a seat on the steps to catch her breath. Dakota CLUBS Raquel, and again. Raquel throws body shots, CLUBS her down again, then RAMS her into the apron! Raquel shoves Dakota, then pops her up to the apron! Dakota SUPERKICKS back!
Dakota kicks but Raquel reels her into an Electric Chair! Dakota grabs the corner desperately, and she STOMPS Raquel into the steps! Raquel is dazed on the ground and Dakota is laughing again. Dakota looks under the ring and brings out a TABLE! Fans really fire up now, and Dakota talks to herself to keep going. Dakota gets the table up and into the ring, but Raquel is there to SHOVE the table back into Dakota! Raquel gets in the ring, gets one of the chairs and sits it up. Dakota gets in, she runs into a FLAPJACKÂ onto the chair! The ref checks Dakota, she’s somehow okay to continue, and Raquel sets up that table in a corner.
Dakota comes in but Raquel pops her up! Dakota RANAS Raquel out of the ring! Dakota mule kicks Raquel down, and then brings a trash can over. Dakota puts Raquel in the can, then goes to the apron. Dakota leaps to DOUBLE STOMP the trash can!! Dakota drags Raquel out of the crushed can as fans go wild for “NXT! NXT!” Dakota drags Raquel up, “This is Awesome!” as Raquel powers out! But Dakota catches Raquel for a dragon sleeper! Raquel powers out to POWERBOMB Dakota on the steel steps!! Fans are thunderous as they lose their minds over that one! Raquel drags Dakota up, fans want that “ONE MORE TIME!” Dakota SLAPS Raquel!
Raquel is furious, and she brings Dakota over to CHOKE her against the desk! “I trusted you!!” Raquel puts Dakota in the ring, Dakota KICKS back from the mat! Dakota gets a trash can but Raquel BOOTS her down! Raquel drags Dakota up, gets her up, CHINGONA BOMB onto the trash can!! Cover, Raquel wins!
Winner: Raquel Gonzalez, by pinfall
Ricky Desperado decimates #CapKota, and finally buries her! Raquel shouts, “I am sick and tired of waiting!” Raquel wants her title rematch with Mandy Rose RIGHT NOW! And she isn’t leaving until she gets it! Will Toxic Attraction’s leader accept this challenge?
Tony D’Angelo speaks.
“It’s been said that being honest is a dangerous thing. Tony D must be the most dangerous man in NXT, because I was honest with yous from the beginning. And I backed up everything I said I would do. I smacked around everybody that’s stepped to me. This guy, that guy, it doesn’t matter. I fear nobody. Especially you, Pete Dunne.” Tony walked in, found “The baddest man in NXT,” earned his way into WarGames, and then bounced Dunne around the cage. Dunne’s the baddest man? How bad was he when Tony took his mouthpiece away? What’d Dunne do? Nothing. Dunne wants to snap Tony’s fingers? Two can play at that game. But will Tony D end up facing a Bitter End?
NXT returns and Raquel’s still waiting.
Raquel dares “Mamacita” Mandy to show up. But instead of Mandy, it’s Cora Jade who walks out! Cora congratulates Raquel on her great win tonight. Cora knows Raquel called out Mandy. And as much as Raquel wants her title back, and as much as she deserves the rematch, as much as she wants it, Cora wants Mandy and Toxic Attraction to pay for trying to rip her arm out of its socket and end her career. The only way to kill Toxic Attraction is cut the head off the snake and take the title off her. And yeah, Mandy doesn’t want to face Cora with the title on the line.
Raquel says Cora’s got guts, we all saw her jump off the cage and do the Swanton through the table. They went to war and came out on the other side together. But the title is every woman for herself. Raquel hasn’t been the same since Halloween Havoc and Mandy stole that title. Raquel took care of one big problem tonight, and there’s only one thing left to do. So it doesn’t matter if it’s enemy or friend, Raquel will go through anyone to get that title back! Cora says, “Not if I get there first.” Mandy says, “Ladies, ladies. Shh. The champ is talking. And enough with this whining.”
Raquel, you were NXT Women’s Champion for quite some time before Mandy got here. And Cora, honey, don’t even try to hang that trashy jacket on that fluke victory. Mandy says this isn’t just about the title. They’re envious of her for what she’s done for the division and the brand. But since she’s in the holiday spirit, at New Year’s Evil, it will be a Triple Threat match for her NXT Women’s Championship! In just two weeks, Mandy kills “two ugly birds with one stone.” And don’t worry, she’ll make it official. And because Mandy’s full of surprises, they not only get this title match, but they get a nice ass kicking! Gigi Dolin & Jacy Jayne attack from behind with those kendo sticks!
Raquel fights off Jacy but Gigi kicks Cora out. Toxic Attraction mug Raquel, then they double whip her through the table! Fans boo but Toxic Attraction soaks it all in. Will Raquel and Cora look to break the sidekicks before going for the head of the snake?
Joe Gacy & Harland speak with commentary.
Gacy tells, “Mr. Joseph, Mr. Barrett, thank you for this time. It has been put upon Harland’s heart to publicly apologize for his actions last week. Harland is a very sensitive man, and he is far too shaken up to speak on this. But you can see the look of regret written all over his face.” Can you…? They apologize, but given what Harland has been through, THE Brian Kendrick has to understand that he triggered Harland, and brought him emotionally back to a point where people didn’t love him as Gacy does. They don’t condone violence, but Mr. Kendrick put his hands on Harland and used offensive language.
Kendrick called Harland a freak, while they were only doing what they were told in leaving the arena. One could argue that Mr. Kendrick only has himself to blame. Gacy isn’t here to make that argument, but hopefully everyone will learn and grow from this unfortunate event. Gacy thanks us for our time. Will there be any more crocodile tears from Gacy as Harland continues in NXT?
James Drake watches workout videos.
He asks Zack Gibson if he’s seen what the Creed brothers have posted to Instagram. Gibson doesn’t care what those dweebs do, they have their match now. But look at they’re throwing 315 pounds like it’s nothing! And then the back flips! Gibson says if there’s one ting he hates, it is a cocky, arrogant team like the Creeds. Uh, yeah. So what does Gibson have planned? The Creeds are great athletes, but GYV isn’t going to win with muscle. They’re going to win with brains. Nice! Gibson will talk details on the way to gorilla. Will the Grizzled Young Veterans SSSSOOOOON be recognized as the team that cracked the code on Julius & Brutus Creed?
Persia Pirotta finds Indi Hartwell backstage.
Persia just found out their match for tonight got postponed. Why? But then Waller walks in. Indi says he’s the worst! He’s a DOUCHE! Indi won’t forgive her for what he did to Johnny! Hey, now, calm down! That hurts Waller’s feelings. Surely they don’t mean that. They’re all Aussies, they should have each other’s back. Persia tells Waller to be less worried about them, and more concerned with how AJ Styles is coming to NXT. That’s what he gets for running his mouth! Like he’s scared. Indi, move on. Waller kicked “Papa” out of NXT. But watch as the Grayson Waller Effect is the way of the future. Persia keeps Indi from mauling Waller, but will someone teach Waller a lesson?
The Creed Brothers w/ Diamond Mine VS Grizzled Young Veterans!
The teams are already in the ring, and Julius and Brutus are already fired up. Will they get back on a winning track after how Gibson & Drake cost them their undefeated streak?
The teams sort out, Gibson starts with Julius. They tie up, Julius trips Gibson, waistlocks, but Gibson gets to ropes. Julius avoids the back hand, they tie up again, and Gibson headlocks then hooks a leg. Julius fights the takedown, Gibson whips him to ropes, then things speed up as Gibson hurdles. Julius turns hip toss into fireman’s carry takedown! Tag to Brutus, Julius arm-drags Gibson and then gut wrench SLAMS Brutus on top of him! Bivens likes what he sees as Brutus drags Liverpool’s Number One up. Tag to Julius, feed to the fireman’s carry takeover, then feed back to Brutus’. Gibson hits ropes, Julius grabs the leg, but Gibson kicks him away!
Gibson get sup, Julius waistlocks but Gibson gets to a corner. Julius whips him corner to corner, Drake gets there to cushion Gibson from the buckles, and Gibson CLOBBERS Julius! Gibson ROCKS Julius, tags Drake, and holds Julius out for Drake’s FLYING AX HANDLES! Cover, TWO! Drake drags Julius up, wrenches the arm and whips him into buckles. Drake runs in to back elbow and tag Gibson. Gibson clotheslines, then feeds Julius to Drake’s calf kick! Cover, TWO! Gibson drags Julius up, Julius blocks the snap suplex but Gibson throws body shots. Julius snap suplexes Gibson! Gibson anchors a leg, Drake tags in and stays between the Creeds!
Drake ROCKS Julius with forearms but Julius hits back! Drake headlocks, Julius powers out and Brutus tags in. Feed to Brutus’ waistlock SLAM, then Brutus KNEES Drake. Julius KNEES Drake, Brutus pushes Drake around. Brutus dead lifts Drake for a gut wrench POWERBOMB! Cover, Gibson breaks it! Brutus chases after Gibson, Drake pushes Brutus and tags Gibson! Gibson KICKS Brutus, Drake CLOBBERS Brutus from behind! Gibson sets Brutus up, Drake PLANCHAS for the BACKBREAKER ELBOW DROP! But then Jacket Time appear and set up their own commentary!? Fans are loving this, but what will Kushida & Ikemen Jiro have to say while NXT goes to break?
NXT returns and it seems Jacket Time count as Japanese commentary now. Gibson has Brutus down in a cobra clutch but Brutus fights up. Drake tags in, Gibson ripcords Brutus and Drake DECKS him! Drake wraps on a chinlock and he grinds Brutus down to the mat. Drake talks trash, Brutus endures, but now Josh Briggs & Brooks Jensen show up. The good ol’ boys say hey, but Drake is upset. Brutus fights up, Drake shifts to a facelock. Brutus powers up and gets closer to his corner, Jiro and Kushida seem to laugh about something, and Brutus is ever closer! Brutus THROWS Drake away and tags in Julius! Julius rallies on GYV! CHOP BLOCK for Drake!
Julius BLASTS Gibson off the apron and dropkicks Drake down! Tag back to Brutus, they fire up and get Drake for the gut wrench handoff and POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO!! Drake survives but Brutus drags him right back up. Drake fires forearms, Gibson sneaks a tag. Again Jacket Time is amused as Gibson drags Brutus out! Brutus DECKS Gibson, Drake DIVES onto Brutus! Gibson hopes Jacket Time saw that! But then Julius rushes over! Brutus gets Gibson up, Jacket Time don’t want them ruining the desk! They all argue, GYV shove Creed Brothers into Jacket Time, and it’s a BRAWL!
Winners: Creed Brothers, by disqualification
Briggs & Brooks want in on the brawl, too! It’s a four team frenzy!! Fans are going nuts for “NXT! NXT!” as the referees manage to break this all up!
Backstage interview with Carmelo Hayes & Trick Williams.
We’re moments away from Trick’s first singles match and it’s against Dexter Lumis, is there any concern or fears? Melo says Trick is fearless. He’s taken down dudes three times his size in the streets. You must have Trick mistaken for dudes like Roderick Strong, “THE” champion of NXT. Talk about someone who’s scared. Trick says he’s no punk you put in the trunk! He’s Tricky B. Williams, and the B stands for, “Baby, if you don’t know, you better ask somebody!” And here’s another thing. Lumis walks around with eyes wide and thumbs up like it’s all good. If Lumis puts that thumb up, he’s gonna be walking with that thumb up his ass!
But then Lumis appears on the television screen behind them! Trick sees it and freaks out! Melo also gets spooked, but he tells Trick not to worry about it. This is just mind games! But does that mean Lumis has already won before the match has even started?
Io Shirai & Zoey Stark are both in the NXT Medical Facility.
Stark says her knee is feeling great, and she thanks Shirai for joining her in rehab. Well, Shirai was here for her weekly massage, so it just worked out. Legado Del Fantasma walk over and say the ladies are gonna have to wait. Uh, no, Stark sat down first, they’ll have to wait. But top athletes take top priority! Shirai shouts at Legado in Japanese, they shout back in Spanish. Elektra Lopez walks in to stop the arguing. Everyone knows Shirai is crazy. Just look at her, ranting and raving. But Lopez isn’t afraid of her. Shirai says in Japanese, “You will be.” Stark says Shirai was totally sticking up for her. Shirai actually likes her~! No she doesn’t. Will Shirai at least be honest when she takes the fight to Elektra?
Trick Williams w/ Carmelo Hayes VS Dexter Lumis!
NXT returns to the ring and both men are already there. Will Tricky B. put up or shut up?
The bell rings, Trick paces and fans chant, “Whoop That Trick!” Trick tries to step to Lumis, but Lumis doesn’t flinch. Lumis then steps and Trick falls over! Melo coaches Trick up and Trick throws a boot! Lumis blocks, brings Trick forward and then shoves him down! Trick scrambles again and Melo calms him back down. But then Lumis slithers over and scares Trick out of the ring! Lumis slithers after him, they go around the corner, and Trick gets back in. Lumis gets in, ducks and dodges and THESZ PRESSES for fast hands! Lumis then runs to drop ax handles! Luims clamps on with a neck wrench, Trick endures, Lumis has his fingers in Trick’s face!
Melo hears someone chirping at him and looks to the perch to see Diamond Mine! Roderick Strong, Malcolm Bivens and even Ivy Nile are taunting the North American Champion. Trick fihts up, throws elbows, but Lumis ROCKS him with an uppercut! Lumis whips Trick but Trick hurdles over and dropkicks Lumis down! Trick stomps and CLUBS Lumis, the ref counts as they’re in the ropes, but Trick dribbles Lumis! Trick throws Lumis out, Melo talks trash to Lumis and Roddy. Wait, where’d Roddy go? Bivens and Niles play innocent, Trick runs but Lumis traps him in the apron skirt to SUPERKICK! Melo dares Lumis to make a move, Lumis gives a thumbs up!
Strong snatches the North American title off Melo and starts throwing hands with him! They end up brawling past the fans and into the back. Lumis ROCKS Trick with an uppercut, gets in, but Trick kicks the rope to jam Lumis! Trick rains down fists, drags Lumis up and scoops for a SLAM! Cover, TWO! Trick drags Lumis up, throws more body shots, then scoops again for another SLAM! Cover, TWO! Trick wraps on a chinlock and he grinds Lumis down. Fans rally as Lumis endures. Lumis fights up, throws body shots but Trick throws him down! Cover, ONE! Trick clamps on another chinlock, and squeezes tight! Lumis still fights up, and then arm-drags free!
Trick staggers up and Lumis DECKS him! And again! And again! Trick goes to a corner, Lumis runs in and clotheslines, then BULLDOGS! Lumis reels Trick in for a BIG back suplex! And a kip up to the leg drop! Trick flounders, Lumis adjusts the gloves and he fires off hands in the corner! Lumis stomps, the ref counts and Lumis lets off. But then Trick slips off his shoe! Lumis ducks that to hit the SIDE EFFECT! Into the SILENCE!! Trick is passing out, Lumis wins!
Winner: Dexter Lumis, by submission
Lumis pats Trick on the head, having tucked him in for the night. But then WALLER attacks Lumis with a chair!! “I told you! I’m taking out the best in NXT, one by one!” Waller checks off another member of The Way, but here comes AJ STYLES! Waller takes a seat and waits for him, is he just waiting to get a phenomenal whooping?
Pete Dunne speaks.
“No one else in NXT 2.0 is like me. I just turned 28 years old, and I have 15 years experience. Former NXT Tag Team Champion, Dusty Classic winner, a record-breaking UK title run. And I’m far from done. These NXT 2.0 guys, they’re young, they’re hungry, but I’m the same age, and I’m more hungry. I’m not gonna let one of these geezers stand in my way. Tony D’Angelo, you might think you got one up on me at WarGames, but look what I did to ya last week. And that’s just the beginning. Deep down, you know what I’m the baddest man around here. And tonight, I make sure you never forget it.”
NXT returns and Waller has a mic.
“That’s it?” Styles pulls in and doesn’t walk out? Waller can’t stand when WWE Superstars get inducted in the Hall of Fame, they thank the locker room, they thank their mom, their dad, their cat, their dog, and for some dumb reason, they thank “the pathetic WWE Universe.” Like they matter! Do you know what Waller will do when he gets inducted? He’ll say “You’re welcome! I told you so!” the moment Waller showed up on NXT, he told us and then proven that he is THE NXT Superstar! When Waller’s music hits, the crowd- Styles’ music hits and the fans go wild! Styles goes to the ring, gets a mic for himself, and fans chant his name.
Waller says, “Ladies and gentlemen, the Phenomenal A~ J~ Styles~! You’re welcome. That’s the Grayson Waller Effect.” He brought Styles to NXT! Yeah, shut up already. Fans chant, “SHUT THE HELL UP!” at Waller but he says it’ll take more than that. So Styles tells him to shut the hell up. But this is THE Grayson Waller? The one everyone’s talking about, the biggest JACKASS in NXT! Styles saw that video, the talking trash. Feel good, Waller? Fell popular now? Oh he’s real popular. HE went from, “That kid has potential,” to THE superstar! So much, he got the attention of this hall of famer. But why is Styles here? Because he wants to be the veteran that helps the new guy?
NO! Waller says Styles’ meal ticket just left him! Styles needs a new tag partner to keep him relevant, right? Waller appreciates the offer, but he’s more of a singles guy. What’s funny is, Waller talks about relevant but he calls Styles out just to get that rub. And Styles’ seen Waller’s matches. His gloves, one elbow pad, looks pretty familiar. Is it Waller or Styles in the ring? Listen, Waller. Styles will give it to you, you have potential and you’re cocky. Styles appreciates that. But a future Raw superstar? Bron Breakker, sure. Tony D, even. Melo, yeah! But Waller…? The jury’s still out on that one. Waller’s problem is that he’d rather look good and lose, then look bad and win.
Waller says he always looks good. Didn’t you see WarGames? He jumped off the cage, took out LA Knight, and carried his team to the victory! Oh, yeah, wins and losses. But didn’t he say he doesn’t care about that? It’s about swipes ‘n’ likes, right? Waller did say that. But Waller’s confused why Styles has this attitude when his insurance policy isn’t here anymore, and he’s in Waller’s ring. If you don’t know what he does to guys like Styles, but Waller could end him. Then do it! Waller’s had three weeks and he thinks he’s a superstar? Try being phenomenal for over 20 years! Styles dares Waller to do what he says! Waller takes off the shirt and accessories, but then bails.
Fans boo and Waller says, “Hey. I’m gonna let Omos get you first. I’ve got next.” Waller thinks he’ll be able to handle Styles after what Omos does on Monday. Will even a less than 100% Styles be more than the 21st Century Success Story can handle at his best?
Diamond Mine speaks.
Bivens is pretty sure Melo didn’t like the “gift” they gave him. That is what happens when you disrespect them! Diamond Mine is about respect and money! HELL YEAH! They want the big paydays and the big money matches. So at New Year’s Evil, Mr. North American Champion talkin’ all that trash, you go 1v1 with THE champion, Roderick Strong, TITLE VS TITLE! What’s Melo say? Strong says Melo has two weeks to find his balls. Merry Christmas you ho, ho, ho!
Shaman Bro Riddle leads MSK on their journey.
He tells Wes Lee & Nash Carter that a scooter is like a tag partner. A good one is dependable, durable and both wheels must face the same direction or they’ll just fall off. And in the end, a scooter is like a journey to the destination. Mind blowing! Lee won’t lie, all those clues leading them to him, Lee wasn’t sure it was gonna pan out. But Carter was there for Lee, and it was a beautiful journey. Carter says he’s gonna cry. But yeah, the scooter is like a partner. If one wheel is shaky, depend on the other one to get you where you’re going. But Riddle says MSK is teaching him so much in return. He can’t wait to share all this with Randy.
But speaking of Randy, let’s spread some holiday cheer. Check out the bag, stallion. The theme song plays, and they bring out the newest RKBRO merch! Christmas came early, bros! The only thing left to do is call out Imperium next week! And Riddle’s coming with them, bros! REALLY!? Dude, he wouldn’t miss it for the world. Now let’s ride! The stallions ride through the streets for the #BestDayEver! Nothing can go wrong now! OH SHIIIII- They get hit by a van?! MSK wakes up!?? They had the same dream!? No more supplies, guys. Dump- Wait. RKBRO hat? It wasn’t a dream?! And Riddle finds them! Ready to call out Imperium? YEP! Then let’s ride! It’s a Christmas miracle!
But uh, safety first. Look both ways before crossing the street. Okay now let’s go! HIYAH! Will MSK get their shot at Imperium in time for New Year’s Evil?
Von Wagner VS Edris Enofe!
After viciously kicking Kyle O’Reilly out of NXT, Von Wagner wants to rip and tear and crush all those in his way! Will the Excellence of Execution simply be the next on Wagner’s warpath?
The bell rings and Enofe dropkicks Von again and again! Von staggers up, Enofe jumps but into Von’s arms! Von SLAMS Enofe down, but then Robert Stone appears on the ramp. Is he scouting again? Enofe cradles Von, TWO!! Stone looks disappointed. Von CLOBBERS Enofe, then looms over him. Von drags Enofe up to rain down fists over and over! Enofe checks his jaw, Von gets him up to throw knees! Von reels Enofe in, gets him up but Enofe sunset flips! ENOFE WINS!!
Winner: Edris Enofe, by pinfall
Stone is very disappointed, clearly meaning he wanted Von to win. But then Von CLOBBERS Enofe at ringside! Von puts Enofe in, he looks at Stone, and then gets in the ring. Von reels Enofe in, OLYMPIC SLAM! Von is seething as he looms over Enofe, and then he drags Enofe around. Von gets Enofe up for a short arm LARIAT! Fans boo but Von talks trash to Enofe. Von then gets out of the ring and storms past Stone. Stone smirks, perhaps liking what he saw there. Will the Robert Stone Brand rebuild with the vicious and violent Von as its foundation?
Backstage interview with Imperium.
McKenzie is sure Marcel Barthel & Fabian Aichner saw what MSK & Riddle were saying. Barthel, in impeccable German, says, “Why are we talking about MSK? We ripped their hearts out and shattered it into a thousand pieces, and now they’re trying to pick up the pieces, trying to figure out why things happened they way they were destined to in the first place.” Aichner adds in Italian, “Riddle can try to guide MSK to enlightenment, but if you remember, we are the ones that drove them out of town when we became champions the first time, okay?” Um, sorry, she doesn’t know those languages. But does MSK pose a threat to them?
A threat? Barthel says, in English now, that while MSK may have found a shaman, Imperium as a general. Does that mean WALTER is coming to NXT 2.0?!
Elektra Lopez walks and talks backstage.
“Tonight is the biggest match of my career. But am I nervous? Not in the least. I’m about to go destroy the legend, Io Shirai.” But Xyon Quinn is lurking in the back! Will the Gentleman Fighter make sure Legado keeps this fair and square?
Elektra Lopez w/ Legado Del Fantasma VS Io Shirai!
NXT returns and Lopez is already in the ring. Shirai makes her entrance and fans fire up for the Evil Genius of the Sky! The bell rings and the two tie up. Lopez throws a knee then scoops and SLAMS Shirai down. Shirai gets up but Lopez runs in at the corner to back elbow! Shirai staggers, Lopez runs in but only gets buckles! Shirai ROCKS Lopez, trips her up and stomps her down! Shirai then steps on Lopez to swing and- Lopez BOOTS her away! Lopez CLOBBERS Shirai, then she pushes SHirai to ropes. Lopez chokes SHirai against ropes, lets off as the ref counts, and she grabs Shirai’s hair to thrash her around! The ref reprimands and counts and Lopez stops at 4.
Lopez drags Shirai up but Shirai throws a forearm! Lopez gives it back, so Shirai fires off more forearms! Shirai runs, Lopez pops her up for a SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Lopez wraps on a chinlock and grinds Shirai down. Fans rally and Shirai fights up, but Lopez squeezes tighter! Shirai fights up again to snapmare free! Shirai runs Lopez over, then runs again to dropkick her down! Fans fire up and Shirai hits a 619! Lopez falls, Shirai goes up the corner! Missile dropkick! Fans fire up as Lopez goes to a corner. Shirai runs in, SHINKANSEN! Cover, TWO! Shirai keeps cool and she steps on Lopez to go to the corner. Shirai goes up and up but Legado distracts!
Lopez YANKS Shirai down and Shirai hits buckles on the way! But here comes Quinn! Legado rushes over but Mendoza gets ROCKED and TOSSED! Wilde gets popped up for a FLAPJACK! Quinn then brings out some mistletoe?! Quinn is a lover and a fighter, so he’s offering Lopez an early Christmas kiss. Lopez walks over, but then SANTOS ESCOBAR yanks Quinn down! Only for Quinn to send him into steel steps! Shirai hits a SHOTEI on Lopez! Then Shirai goes up top to hit OVER THE MOONSAULT! Cover, Shirai wins!
Winner: Io Shirai, by pinfall
Lopez sits up and looks at Quinn, and then at Escobar. Which is stronger: Lopez’s loyalty to Legado? Or the feelings in her heart?
Carmelo Hayes speaks.
“Hey, Roderick Strong, you want to smoke with Melo? Well I got so much smoke that you gon’ choke, because I am the A Champion. And in 2021, when I shot, I didn’t miss. And going into 2022, we gon’ keep it the exact same way.” New Year’s Evil will be Roddy’s Christmas present because Melo will give him that match! But Melo will be the one walking out with two titles! They’ve talked the talk, but will Melo be the one walking the walk?
THE Brian Kendrick speaks!
“Hey, Joe, I wanted to thank you for that attempt at an apology for Harland throwing me down the stares the other week. And it seems to me that you think I owe Harland an apology.” Kendrick is going to do something about that. Kendrick resigned as a coach, and then signed a waiver with NXT. So Harland, if you want that apology, get it in the ring next week! THE Brian Kendrick is back as a wrestler, will he remind everyone why he is the Man with the Plan?
It’s official!
Wade Barrett will preside over a championship UNIFICATION contract signing next week for Strong VS Melo! Who becomes the first dual Cruiserweight and North American Champion in NXT?
Pete Dunne VS Tony D’Angelo!
The Bruiserweight has been wrestling for over half his life, while The Wise Guy only just got to NXT. Will Dunne show Tony D why you don’t run your mouth to the baddest man in NXT? Or will Tony say Dunne can fuhgedaboutit?
NXT returns and Dunne makes his entrance. The bell rings and Dunne circles with Tony. They tie up, Tony wrenches to a wristlock and then slaps Dunne around. But Dunne wrenches, hammerlocks, and wrangles Tony to the mat. Tony avoids the stomp and then wants Dunne to relax. They tie up, Tony wrenches to a wristlock again, but Dunne rolls, handsprings and wrenches through again. Tony gets the ropebreak, the ref counts, Dunne lets off. Tony sucker punches Dunne down! Tony taunts “Petey Poppins” then gets a headlock. Dunne powers out, things speed up and Dunne swings, into the CROTCH LIFT SUPLEX! Fans fire up for Tony while Dunne writhes.
Tony taunts Dunne more, kicks at him, then drags Dunne up. Dunne KICKS the leg, CHOPS Tony to ropes then KICKS again! Dunne CHOPS and then jumps on for the GIULLOTINE! But Tony powers out to BACK DROP Dunne away! Tony stomps Dunne, talks trash, but Dunne CHOPS back! And CHOPS and CHOPS and wrenches the arm! Tony fights the Kimura to waistlock and HIGH ANGLE GERMAN! Fans rally and duel, Tony brushes himself off. Tony stalks Dunne to ropes, waistlocks again, GERMAN , but Dunne lands on his feet! Tony is too busy gloating, Dunne BUZZSAWS him to the apron! Then GAMANGIRIS him off!
Dunne goes to the apron to drop KNEES on the arm! Tony clutches his elbow and Dunne just glares as NXT goes picture in picture.
Tony leans against the announce desk, but Dunne grabs him by his ponytail! Tony ends up peeling the cover off the announce desk, but Dunne STOMPS Tony’s hand on the apron! Dunne gets in the ring to refresh the count, and he shrugs. Dunne gets Tony up and wrenches the arm to bend the fingers into the ELBOW BREAKER! And then another one! Dunne wrangles Tony down, hammerlocks that arm, and then grabs the other. Dunne digs his forearm into Tony’s ear and even pulls on it! The ref reprimands, Dunne lets off to torture the fingers! Dunne then clamps onto the arm and pushes it way back. Dunne then STOMPS the hammerlock’d arm!
Dunne paces around Tony like a shark with blood in the water. Dunne gets Tony up to wrench the arm, whip, but Tony reverses and CLOBBERS him with an elbow! Tony throws knees into Dunne’s ribs, but Dunne kicks Tony down! Dunne DOUBLE STMOPS Tony at the ropes! Dunne isolates the arm again and pulls on the other! Tony endures, NXT returns to single picture, and fans rally up as Dunne tortures Tony again. Dunne digs elbows into the ribs, then lets off to drop knees on the bad arm again! Tony writhes, Dunne kicks him around. Dunne kicks Tony all around, wrenches the arm again and then pulls the ponytail. The ref reprimands, Dunne kicks away on Tony’s face!
Dunne drags Tony around, stands him up, and CHOPS him! Tony is getting mad now and he’s taking the CHOPS! Dunne ducks the haymaker but Tony TACKLES Dunne! Fans fire up and Tony runs in at Dunne to clothesline in the corner! NORTHERN LIGHTS! Roll through, but Dunne stops that there and has the hand! Tony tries to get away but Dunne has the TRIANGLE HOLD! Dunne squeezes tight, gives short range headbutts and even some hammering hands. Tony fights up, deadlifts, and hits a T-BONE SUPLEX! Cover, TWO!! Dunne isn’t done yet, this is why he was such a dominant NXT UK Champion!
Fans rally and duel, Tony drags Dunne up to throw body shots over and over! Tony reels Dunne in for more shots, then brings Dunne around to HALF HATCH Dunne into buckles! Tony fires up now, then he runs in, but Dunne dodges! Tony hits buckles, Dunne GAMANGIRIS Tony! Tony snapmares Dunne to drop knees on the elbow then run and DECK Tony with a forearm! RUNNING GAMANGIRI! Cover, TWO! Dunne keeps moving, PENALTY KICK! And DANIELSON STOMPS! Dunne tops it off with one big JUMP STOMP! Fans are thunderous as both men are down! Tony crawls to ropes, Dunne stalks up behind him. Dunne snarls as he wants Tony to stand.
“This is Awesome!” as Tony throws a forearm. Dunne gives it back, and they brawl on their knees! Tony hits, Dunne hits back, repeat! Dunne grabs Tony by the face and SLAPS him! Then STOMPS the hands, and BUZZSAWS! Dunne gets Tony up and yet Tony suplexes for a FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO!! That was as close as it could’ve been! Fans duel as hard as they can as Tony crawls to a corner. Tony goes to the apron, but he’s up to something over there. Dunne gets to ropes, Tony has the CROWBAR from WarGames!! But Dunne dodges that and drags Tony down! FUJIWARA ARMBAR!! Tony endures, Dunne pushes as far back as he can, then BENDS the fingers!!
But Tony fish hooks Dunne’s mouth! Tony wants the mouthpiece! He throws that away, and RAMS Dunne’s mouth into buckles! Tony gets Dunne up, but Dunne fights the fisherman to BEND fingers! SNAP!! Pump handle, and BITTER END!!! Cover, DUNNE WINS!
Winner: Pete Dunne, by pinfall
And that’s how you get it done in NXT! The Bruiserweight just shrugs, because he proved himself right all along. But Tony tries to get after Dunne! Dunne DECKS him, kicks him out of the ring, but gets thrown into the announce desk! Tony isn’t done, BADA BOOM with the fisherman screw! “I’m Tony D!” Fans boo as Tony gets the crowbar! Tony takes the crowbar and puts it in Dunne’s mouth!! And he RAMS Dunne into the desk! “This is what happens when you try to get one on Tony D!” Tony uses the crowbar to SMASH Dunne’s fingers!! Dunne writhes as he clutches his busted hand, has Tony D just broken through to a new level in NXT 2.0?
My Thoughts:
A great episode of NXT that set up a lot for New Year’s Evil, and it made 2.0 feel a bit more like 1.0 again. Ciampa had an intense opening promo and Bron was pretty effective letting Ciampa talk for him and rile him up before sparing him a body slam. This could end up Bron’s moment to literally start the new year as the new champion, or something happens that still costs him the gold. Raquel VS Dakota starting as a backstage brawl was a great move, and I like that she was so fired up, she wanted to wrestle again in a title match right after. Cora was a bit awkward in her promo, I feel like she didn’t hit the right cadences with her lines. But Mandy of course set them both up for an attack from Gigi & Jacy. Pretty sure we’re getting Raquel & Cora VS Gigi & Jacy as the tune-up to the Triple Threat.
I like the little bit of kayfabe of Persia & Indi have a match cancelled/postponed. They should’ve chalked it up to Dakota and Raquel brawling and taking up time, that would’ve been a great little bit. But I also like that there is a lot left to Waller and The Way. Indi was furious, and then after Lumis’ match, Waller goes after him. Styles is showing up in NXT, too, to give Waller an established RawDown guy to showcase against, but I’m sure the real blow-off will be Lumis avenging himself and Gargano against Waller. I also like that Strong and Melo brawled on the side of that to set up a match. I’m just very disappointed it’s going to be a unification, where the Cruiserweight title is surely going to cease to exist, regardless of who wins.
I liked the bit in the medical area establishing how that works for the superstars in kayfabe. Shirai is definitely what in Japan (and by extension, the anime-manga community) is known as “tsundere” for Zoey Stark right now. Lopez VS Shirai was good in multitasking: it gets Shirai going again in singles competition, and Quinn advances story with Legado. And I just knew THE Brian Kendrick was returning to action to take on Harland and/or Gacy. That’ll be a good match, but I’m curious when Gacy’s group will add another member. For that matter, when is Stone gonna get his third stable going? Von Wagner will definitely benefit from having a manager talking for him the same way Bivens talks for the Creeds.
We are getting quite a lot in the tag division and I really like that. Jacket Time having their own commentary table was great, the tag match turning into a brawl was fine because this is surely going to be the four teams fighting in a contender’s match. Though we might end up with an 8 Man first, Briggs, Brooks & Jacket Time VS Creed Bros & GYV. Y’know, like we were supposed to get that one time with the tag champs included but then it just became a tag title match. The MSK vignette this week was pretty good, and I like that Imperium teased Walter showing up. A Six Man of Imperium VS Riddle & MSK is already awesome, seeing Walter and Riddle meet in the ring will be reason enough to watch.
And of course, that main event. That was definitely Tony’s longest and best match in NXT, and Dunne winning was the right move. Of course, that also set it up so Tony could be the sore loser and brutalize Dunne’s hand. This is far from over for those two guys, and I would love if they had a rematch on New Year’s Evil that was like No Disqualification or something. That could act as an unofficial contender’s match to whatever singles title, but probably the unified midcard title(s).
My Score: 8.5/10
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Is Orange Cassidy coldblooded? Or just in control?
Before their AEW World Championship match at Full Gear, Jon Moxley puts Wheeler Yuta in Orange Cassidy’s way! Will Cassidy destroy The Decoder before going for The Maniac?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- 8 Man Tag: Will Ospreay, Mark Davis, Ricochet & “Powerhouse” Will Hobbs VS The Don Callis Family; The Don Callis Family wins.
- Kris Statlander VS Hikaru Shida; Kris wins.
- 2v1 Handicap: Bobby Lashley w/ The Hurt Syndicate VS Joe Keys & Cheeseburger; Lashley wins.
- Darby Allin VS Claudio Castagnoli; Claudio wins.
- Orange Cassidy VS Wheeler Yuta w/ The Death Riders; Cassidy wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
8 Man Tag: Will Ospreay, Mark Davis, Ricochet & “Powerhouse” Will Hobbs VS The Don Callis Family!
This All-Star 8 Man is going to make for a massive match! The Aerial Assassin, Dunk Zilla, The One & Only and the man the family foolishly forgot are now teamed together against Konosuke Takeshita, Kyle Fletcher, Brian Cage & Lance Archer! Will Ospreay lead this team to victory ahead of the grudge matches at Full Gear? Or will Callis’ Alpha, Aussie Arrow, Machine & Murderhawk Monster make sure #EverybodyDies?
Well forget sorting out, Ospreay leads his team in attacking the Callis Family right on the ramp! The fans fire up as Hobbs is after Archer, Davis is after Cage, and of course Ricochet is after Konosuke while Ospreay is after Kyle! Hobbs smacks Archer off railing, Kyle CLUBS Ospreay on the back, but Ospreay kicks low. Ospreay sends Kyle into railing, rips the tearaway pants right off him, and then LASHES him with them! Davis sends Cage into railing while Ospreay uses those pants to SLING Kyle into more railing! Davis CLUBS away on Cage, Ospreay blows snot on Kyle’s pants, and Davis sends Cage into more railing.
Kyle turns things around to send Ospreay into railing! Konosuke helps Cage against Davis but Hobbs still throws hands on Archer. Kyle CLUBS Ospreay, CLUBS Ricochet, but Konosuke puts Davis in the ring. The bell rings and this is finally a match. Konosuke headlocks Davis but Davis fires body shots. Davis powers up and out, but Konosuke RAMS him! The fans fire up as Davis stays up. Davis runs to RAM Konosuke! Konosuke stays up and the fans rally. Konosuke runs to RAM Davis, but Davis runs. Konosuke bypasses, leaps, but Davis catches him for a TOSS! And a SENTON! The fans fire up with Davis, and Ricochet reaches out.
Davis tags Ricochet in , then holds the way open, for Ricochet to FOSBURY FLOP onto Konosuke! But Cage CLOBBERS Davis! Cage then RAMS Ricochet into the apron, POSTS him, but Ospreay PENALTY KICKS Cage! The fans fire up as Ospreay goes up, but Kyle UPPERCUTS him! The fans boo as Kyle goes up, CLUBS away on Ospreay, and Ospreay falls to the floor. But now Hobbs is up! Kyle says wait! Then he fires hands! Hobbs just CHOPS Kyle! Hobbs climbs up to get Kyle, but Archer CLUBS Hobbs! Archer drags Hobbs down, throws hands, then puts Hobbs in between steps and post! Hobbs fights back, but Cage sends Ospreay into the steps!
The fans boo as Hobbs’ leg is crushed between steps and post! Archer puts Ricochet in the ring while a medic checks Hobbs. Archer brings Ricochet up but Ricochet slips free to fire off fast strikes! Hobbs is being helped to the back and Ospreay is concerned that this is now 4v3. Ricochet still fires strikes on Archer, but Archer grabs Ricochet by the neck! CHOKE- NO, Ricochet RANAS Archer first! Archer tumbles, stands up, and Ricochet springboards, but Archer CLOBBERS Him out of the sky! Archer BLASTS Davis, then catches Ospreay out of the air! Archer TOSSES Ospreay away and fans boo. But Ricochet springboards back in!
Archer catches Ricochet, and he CHOKE SLAMS Ricochet out onto Ospreay and Davis! The fans boo as the Don Callis Family is in control, and Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Cage & Kyle flex to soak up the heat, then Archer goes out after Ospreay and the rest. Konosuke fetches Ricochet into the ring, waistlocks, and then brings him away from the corner. Archer beats up on Ospreay while Konosuke fires knees into Ricochet. Ricochet tumbles to ropes but Konosuke is on him. Davis fires hands on Archer, then sends him into railing! Davis fires more hands, but Konosuke CHOKES Ricochet at the ropes! The ref counts, Konosuke steps off and tags Kyle. Kyle stays between Ricochet and his corner. Kyle taunts Ricochet, stomps him around, then whips him to ropes. Kyle ELBOWS Ricochet down, then stalks him to a corner.
Kyle stomps away on Ricochet while Archer intimidates commentary. Kyle shouts at the camera while the ref counts, and Kyle steps off of Ricochet’s neck. Kyle bumps Ricochet off buckles, tags Cage, and Cage stands Ricochet up. Cage CHOPS Ricochet, then whips him to ropes for an ELBOW! Cage flexes while he taunts Ospreay & Davis. Cage drags Ricochet up but Ricochet RAMS him! And RAMS him! And fires forearms! Cage ROCKS Ricochet, then runs, but into a tiger wall kick and ENZIGIRI! Konosuke tags in and storms after Ricochet. Konosuke stomps Ricochet, then rains down fists! The ref reprimands while Dynamite returns to single picture.
Konosuke argues with the ref while Ospreay rallies the fans. Konosuke stays between Ricochet and his team, but Ricochet SLAPS Konosuke! Konosuke ROCKS Ricochet for it! Ricochet fires forearms and an UPPERCUT! Konosuke keeps Ricochet from his corner, reels Ricochet in, but Ricochet victory rolls! TWO, and Ricochet ducks a chop to handspring BACK ELBOW! The fans fire up while both men are down! Ricochet and Konosuke crawl, hot tags to Kyle and Ospreay! The fans fire up as these two fire fists and forearms! Kyle kicks and whips but Ospreay ducks ‘n’ dodges to CLOBBER Kyle!
Ospreay whips, Kyle reverses, Ospreay handsprings to NEURALIZER KICK! Kyle staggers, Konosuke tags back in! Ospreay dodges Konosuke to BLAST Cage & Archer! Ospreay fires fists on Konosuke, but Konosuke CLAWS Ospreay’s face! Konosuke runs, but Davis intercepts with a fireman’s carry! AUSSIE DENTAL PLAN! Or maybe in this case, just a United Empire Dental Plan! But in any case, Davis scoops Konosuke, for the LAWN DART CUTTER! Cover, TWO!! Konosuke survives but the fans fire up. Ospreay & Davis bring Konosuke up, double pump handle, but the #MurderMachines make the save!
Archer puts Davis in a corner, Cage ducks Ospreay’s haymaker to waistlock. Archer runs up, BOOT GERMAN SUPLEX COMBO! Davis fires hands on Archer but Cage waistlocks, ripcords, and ROCKS Davis! Then fireman’s carry into the ASSISTED NECKBREAKER! The fans boo but the Murder Machines DOUBLE RIPCORD Ospreay up for Konosuke’s BLUE THUNDER BOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Ospreay survives and shocks everyone! Archer argues with the ref but the count was fair. Konosuke tags Kyle while fans rally up behind Ospreay. Kyle smirks as he stalks Ospreay. Kyle BOOTS Ricochet off the apron for good measure!
Kyle tells Ospreay that this is how he wants it, right? All about Ospreay! Kyle stomps away on Ospreay in the corner, then digs his boots in! The ref counts but wait! Here comes Hobbs! Hobbs hobbles but Kyle hurries to send Ospreay to the Callis corner. Tag to Konosuke and then Kyle slides out. Kyle runs up on Hobbs, but Hobbs CLOBBERS him! The fans fire up as Hobbs makes his way to the corner. Ospreay fights free of the corner but Konosuke holds him back! Ospreay fires forearms, reaches out, repeat! The fans rally as hard as they can, but Konosuke reels Ospreay in! Konosuke hits a back suplex, but Ospreay lands out!
Ospreay dodges Konosuke, hot tag to Hobbs! The Powerhouse powers up to rally on Konosuke! The fans fire up as Hobbs TOSSES Kyle, but the Murder Machines attack! They reel Hobbs in, but Hobbs fights the double suplex! The fans fire up but the Murder Machines double whip. Hobbs DOUBLE LARIATS! The fans fire up as Hobbs has targets in all corners! SPLASH for Konosuke! SPLASH for Cage! SPLASH for Kyle! SPLASH for Archer! The fans are thunderous and Hobbs brings the straps down. Archer kicks low, then runs, but Hobbs dodges, to SNAP POWERSLAM! The fans fire up again, and Hobbs tags Davis!
Davis runs up to BOOT Konosuke, BOOT him again, but Konosuke just fires up! Ospreay CANNONBALLS onto Kyle while Konosuke fires hands! Konosuke spins, but Davis DECKS him! Davis roars, stands Konosuke up, but Konosuke backdrops back! POWER- NO, Davis stops the knee to ENZIGIRI! Davis gut wrenches Konosuke, for a PILEDRIVER!! Cover, KYLE BREAKS IT! The fans boo but now Aussie Open is face to face! Kyle pie faces Davis, talks trash, but Davis glares at him. Kyle SLAPS Davis, so Davis TACKLES Kyle! Davis throws hands, Kyle gets up, and Davis runs up! Kyle dodges and Konosuke DECKS Davis!
Ricochet springboards, FLYING LARIAT on Konosuke! But Cage POP-UP POWERBOMBS Ricochet! Hobbs SPINEBUSTERS Cage! Archer CHOKE SLAMS Hobbs! Ospreay hits the PIP PIP CHEERIO FOREARM on Archer! Ospreay dares Kyle to man up and fight him! Kyle snarls, gets in, and they fire forearms again! Kyle swings, Ospreay catches him, but Kyle breaks the full nelson with an elbow! Ospreay HOOK KICKS Kyle! Ospreay runs, Kyle dodges, but then Ospreay slips through the lariat! Kyle slips through the bomb, hoists Ospreay up, but Ospreay slips free! Kyle ducks the hook kick to SUPERKICK! Kyle runs, into the SPANISH FLY!!
The fans are thunderous as Ospreay takes aim from a corner! Kyle rises, so does Davis, and Ospreay runs up, Kyle uses Davis as a shield from the HIDDEN BLADE!! Ospreay freaks out, Kyle SUPERKICKS Ospreay out of the ring! Then Kyle DIVES onto Ospreay! Konosuke brings down his kneepad, aims at Davis, POWER DRIVE KNEE!!! Cover, Don Callis Family wins!!
Winners: The Don Callis Family, by pinfall
The Alpha stands tall over Davis as friendly fire takes out Ospreay’s team. But what happens when things divide into 1v1 matches? Will Konosuke still be International Champion after he and Ricochet go #OuttaThisWorld? Will Kyle prove that he IS The Protostar after tearing down Will Ospreay?
Jon Moxley & The Death Riders speak.
“Despite recent discoveries that Orange Cassidy is a snake, coldblooded, uncaring, unmoving, a serpent lurking in the darkest corners of the battlefield, my objective remains the same, my job on Saturday night remains the same. You may be this borderline sociopath, you may be a great guy just like everybody thinks. I don’t care if you’re a great guy. I don’t care what kind of person you are. When the bell rings on Saturday night, and the AEW World Championship hangs in the balance, you are a threat to my people. And I will destroy you.
“There’s so much more going on behind Orange Cassidy’s eyes than any of us could’ve imagined. You may make it to Full Gear with your mind in tact, but your body… For that matter, Darby Allin’s body… Still up for grabs.” Claudio jumps in, speaking in German about what he’ll do to Darby. Then in English, he says, “Tonight, I’m gonna end you.” Moxley pats Claudio on the shoulder. Will The Maniac’s top henchmen do his dirty work for him when they dismantle Cassidy & Darby? Or will it just be fuel on the fire for Freshly Squeezed & The Relentless One? Speaking of…
Darby Allin speaks.
“Claudio, I’m gonna keep this really short. Let’s not forget you’re the one who put the chair around Bryan’s neck and pulled the trigger on his career. Every single one of you Death Riders will have your day. And Claudio, today’s your day.” Will Moxley’s men be dealt with in brutal fashion before he suffers the same?
The Hurt Syndicate arrive.
Renee Paquette waits in the parking lot as an SUV pulls up, and she welcomes Montel Vontavious Porter, Shelton Benjamin & Bobby Lashley to the show. She heard MVP has a surprise in store, what’s he got planned? MVP says yes, there is a special treat for the AEW audience, and that is this announcement: The All Mighty Bobby Lashley will be in action here tonight on Dynamite in Reading, Pennsylvania, prior to his PPV debut on Saturday! Renee asks if MVP is at all concerned to put Lashley in a match- OH NO, Swerve attacks!! Swerve knocks Lashley over, then laughs as he gets away!
Shelton helps Lashley up but that ambush might’ve been with Swerve’s own silver chain. Will Lashley elect not to compete tonight after all? Or is he about to make an example out of whatever poor soul is put in front of him?
Adam Cole is here!
Reading fires up as the Panama City Playboy makes his way to the ring. They join in with the “BOOM!” and “ADAM COLE, BAYBAY!” Cole grabs a mic to ask, “Who’s ready for Storytime with Adam Cole, Baybay?” Reading sure is ready! Cole wishes so so badly that he could get his hands on MJF this Saturday, but he’s not. MJF did everything in his power to make sure he and Cole didn’t fight on Saturday, and he succeeded. But do you know who else succeeded last week? Roderick Strong did! The fans cheer as Cole says he and Roddy have the exact same goal: Give MJF the ass whooping of a lifetime! And that is exactly what happens at Full Gear!
The fans cheer, and wait, Kyle O’Reilly makes his way out here. The longtime friend of Cole & Roddy makes his way out here, and already has a mic. Kyle isn’t sure if Cole remembers, but 14 years ago, right here in Reading, PA, Cole and Kyle had their second match ever against each other. They’ve come a long way. Being associated with Cole has given Kyle some incredible highs, and some serious lows. And through those lows, Kyle knows Cole better than anyone. Which makes Kyle the only one willing to tell Cole the truth. The truth is, this crusade against MJF has got to end before someone gets hurt.
This obsession, Cole needs to wash his hands of it. His ankle has already been reconstructed, what’s next? Cole has friends willing to take a bullet for him, Kyle included, but Cole has got to stop having his friends fight his battles. Roddy barely makes it out alive last week, and now he wants to fight MJF! He wants to END MJF, all because of Cole. Kyle just doesn’t have a good feeling about any of this. Cole asks Kyle what he’s trying to say here. Kyle doesn’t think Roddy can handle MJF? Kyle asks Cole if he really thinks MJF isn’t already three steps ahead. MJF hasn’t been here for weeks but he’s pulling all the strings.
Cole should know that dealing with MJF is like playing with fire, and Kyle doesn’t wanna see his friends get burned. Cole needs to realize why so many of his friends are willing to go to war for him, and it’s because he is a great leader, an elite pro-wrestler, and a great friend, who doesn’t wanna see his friends get hurt. At least, so Kyle thinks. But Cole has to face facts: MJF is more of an evil bastard than Cole will ever be, and that is a good thing. Kyle drops his mic and walks away. Cole drops his mic, and has a lot to think about. Does Kyle have a point? Can Cole just let Roddy handle MJF and then move on?
Orange Cassidy speaks.
“A little later tonight, I’m gonna make an example out of you, Wheeler Yuta. And I’m gonna show everybody exactly what I’m gonna do this Saturday to you, Jon Moxley. And that’s walk down to that ring and beat you, alone.” But The Conglomeration steps in. Mark Briscoe has Rocky Romero & Tomohiro Ishii with him as he asks Cassidy, “What sense does that make, man?” Moxley said himself, there’s five Death Riders, one Cassidy. Conglomeration has his back, they are here for him. Cassidy says no, no one else needs to get hurt. Get hurt? What’s Cassidy talking about? The Conglomeration are ready to scrap!
PLEASE!! Cassidy is asking them… They don’t have to believe him or even understand him. But just promises him they’ll stay back here. If Cassidy insists, then so be it. Cassidy says there you have it, Jon. Five of you, one of him. Do what you’re gonna do. Because at Full Gear, Moxley’s gonna need all the help he can get. Cassidy is himself wanting the best for his friends, but will that work out for the betterment of AEW? Or is he just playing into Moxley’s hands?
Kris Statlander VS Hikaru Shida!
The #BornAgainKristen bodied the bullies that are Mercedes Mone & Kamille the last time she saw them, but she still needs to tune up for Full Gear. However, taking on the THREE-TIME AEW Women’s World Champion might be more than just a workout. Win, lose or draw, will the Shining Samurai get Kris ready for The CEO?
The bell rings, Kris and Shida shake hands and the fans applaud. The two circle, tie up, and Kris wrenches to a wristlock. Shida handsprings and wrenches back, then hammerlocks. Kris reaches back, hits a headlock takeover, but Shida headscissors. Kris kips free and the fans cheer while the two reset. Shida and Kris circle again while the fans fire up. The two tie up, Shida wrenches and hammerlocks, then CLUBS Kris on the back. Shida CLUBS Kris again, then waistlocks. Kris fights the lift with elbows, then switches. Kris SLAMS Shida, then flips her over. Shida kips up to arm-drag Kris! Kris ends up in a corner, and Shida runs up to KNEE her!
Shida climbs up and the fans cheer as she rains down fists! But Kris stops Shida at 5 and carries her out of the corner! Shida slips free, Kris blocks a lariat to SWEEP the leg! STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Shida is tough and she goes to ropes, but Kris whips her to a corner. Kris runs up but into a RANA! Kris cartwheels through! Then she CLOBBERS Shida! The fans fire up while Kris flexes. Kris drags Shida into a motorcycle stretch but Shida endures. The fans rally up and Shida fights to her feet. Shida arm-drags Kris down, and wraps her in a straitjacket stretch! Kris fights up with a bridge, but Shida hops on!
The fans rally while Kris RAMS Shida into a corner! Shida holds onto the straitjacket and pulls! The ref counts, Shida lets go at 4, and then MISSILE DROPKICKS! Kris tumbles and the fans duel as Shida fires up! Shida goes outside, drags Kris to the apron, and CLUBS her! Shida runs to KNEE LIFT! Kris flops to the floor and fans cheer while Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Shida brings Kris up again, and whips her into railing hard! Kris writhes, Shida drags her up, and then Shida whips Kris into more railing! Kris writhes again and Shida refreshes the ring count. Shida sits Kris in a corner to rain down fists! The fans fire up but the ref reprimands, so Shida stops. Shida brings Kris around, pushes her into the ring, and then stalks her. Shida stomps Kris around, brings her up, and snap suplexes! Kris writhes but Shida brings her up again. Shida then snap suplexes Kris into a corner! Shida drags Kris to a cover, TWO! Kris stays in this but Shida stays on her with a chinlock stretch!
Kris endures being bent back, and she reaches out with her free arm. Shida pulls back more but Kris rises up! Shida is again a backpack, but then she slips down. Kris fires body shots, slips around and lifts for a BIG back suplex! Kris huffs ‘n’ puffs as she rises up, but then Shida dodges the sliding forearm! Ghost pin! TWO, and Kris has a cradle! TWO! Shida ROCKS Kris, but Kris PELES! Shida staggers, but she comes back to ENZIGIRI! Both women are down and the fans fire up! The ref checks both women and they’re okay to continue, so a standing count begins. Shida and Kris stir at about 4 of 10, then rise up at 6.
Kris grabs Shida, but Shida fires a forearm! Dynamite returns to single picture as the shots go back and forth. Shida fires a flurry, then whips Kris to ropes. Kris ducks ‘n’ dodges, then dodges a knee! SNAP POWERSLAM! The fans fire up with Kris as she whips Shida to a corner. Kris runs up to UPPERCUT, then she goes side to side for a KNEE LIFT! Shida ends up in ropes but Kris reels her in. Fisherman BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Shida survives and the fans fire up again! Kris hoists Shida up, gut wrenches, but Shida slips free! DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Shida eggs Kris on, then dodges her to fire forearms! Kris just shakes her head!
Shida fires more shots, but Kris fireman’s carries! But Shida slips free, straitjacket roll-up! TWO!! KNEE STRIKE! And then short arm LARIAT! Shida takes aim, but she starts to doubt the Katana! Shida runs up but Kris dodges the boot to then scoop and INVERTED SLAM! Then Kris aims, DISCUS- NO, Shida backslides her! TWO!! Shida reels Kris in, suplexes, FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO?!? Kris survives and Shida is shocked! Shida brings Kris up but Kris fires body shots and forearms! Shida ROCKS Kris, but Kris wrenches to kick! Kris runs, but into the JUMP KNEE! Shida hurries to suplex, but Kris turns it around!
Shida slips out of Kris’ suplex to slip around, GERMAN SUPLEX! Shida roars, aims, KATA- NO, Kris gut wrenches! Tuck and STATURDAY NIGHT FEVER!! Cover, Kris wins!!
Winner: Kris Statlander, by pinfall
Shida gave Kris a powerful match, but clearly Shida has to iron out her own crisis of confidence. Kris still shows Shida respect by helping her up. But wait, here comes Mercedes Mone & Kamille! The fans boo The CEO & Brickhouse but Mone has a mic. “Readiiiiing~! Say hello to your C E O!” The fans boo instead. Mone asks Kamille if she wants to hear a fun fact about Pennsylvania. The 76ers have had yet another terrible season! Embarrassing~! But shoutouts to Mone’s Celtics for another incredible victory. The fans boo Boston but Mone says another person with an incredible win was Kris Statlander. Mone is rarely impressed by her competition.
Does anyone else want to hear another fun fact? “NO!!” Well, Mone has held the TBS Championship longer than Kris! So at Full Gear, Mone will NOT lose, because she is The CEO, the greatest TBS Champion of all time! And she will NEVER lose this title! Fans tell The CEO to STFU, but Mone tells Kamille go get the job done! She is so pissed off! GO! NOW! Kamille walks up the steps past Mone, but with only one good arm! Mone says hurry up, but Kamille looks at both Shida and Kris. Kamille takes as swing, but Kris blocks to ROCK her! Shida QUESTION MARK KICKS Kamille! Then Kris & Shida TOSS The Brickhouse!
Shida goes out after Kamille, but then Mone goes after Kris! Mone goes for the backstabber, but Kris holds onto ropes! Mone is almost stuck up there, but Kris pops her around! STATURDAY NIGHT FEVER!! The fans fire up as Kris stands tall over The CEO! Will Kris once again become the Face of TBS? Or will Mone find a way to win even without her insurance policy?
The Hurt Syndicate has a cameraman with them.
MVP says hold on, he and Shelton have found Swerve. They go after the man in the big fur jacket, but that’s not Swerve! Swerve gave his jacket to the guy, but MVP & Shelton still beat this guy up for helping Swerve. MVP says they’ll find Swerve later, Lashley has his match up next. And it’ll be a 2-on-1 Handicap?! The All Mighty really IS mad, what poor duo is about to be destroyed?
AEW hears from Jay White and Hangman Adam Page.
“Hangman. You and I are on that same path to that same destination, trying to grasp at that same prize. 2024 still has some time left for The Switchblade to share the spotlight with Hangman once more!” But the Blackhat Cowboy asks White if he knows “Who the hell I am?! I am the Hangman! I am THE man! They named this whole godforsaken PPV after ME!” White says when he makes Hangman TAP, it will be a public declaration! But Hangman says White can’t make him tap, even if his life depended on it! These two vicious gunslingers will write one more chapter in their storied rivalry, but who comes out riding off into the sunset?
2v1 Handicap: Bobby Lashley w/ The Hurt Syndicate VS Joe Keys & Cheeseburger!
The All Mighty thought he’d have an easy night getting in a little warm-up, but The Realest quickly reminded him why he’s the most dangerous man in AEW! Lashley’s now doubling down to make a point, will there be nothing left of Keys & Cheese after tonight?
The bell rings and while the fans rally for Cheeseburger, he and Keys each argue the other should start. Lashley runs up and TOSSES Burger across the ring! Keys runs away, Lashley runs to RAM into Burger! Lashley brings Burger up, Keys runs in, but Lashley catches him for a COMPLETE SHOT DDT COMBO! Lashley drags Keys up and TOSSES him out! Lashley then turns to look at Burger in the corner. The fans rally for Burger, but Lashley CLOBBERS him! The fans boo but MVP & Shelton high-five Lashley. Lashley drags Burger up to gut wrench, Canadian Rack, and DOMINATOR! Keys runs in to break the cover!
The fans cheer Keys as he fires hands, but Lashley just gets angrier! Keys short arm LARIATS, but Lashley stays up! Keys runs, into a MILE HIGH SPINEBUSTER! Lashley storms around, then aims at Keys. Keys staggers into the SPEAR! Lashley isn’t done there, and he clamps on the HURT LOCK! Keys can’t open that lock, he is OUT! Lashley wins!
Winner: Bobby Lashley, by submission
MVP & Shelton join Lashley in the ring to celebrate, but then “Whose House?” “SWERVE’S HOUSE!” The fans fire up, and here comes Prince Nana with a chair! Nana eggs the Hurt Syndicate on so Shelton storms out after Nana. MVP watches the rest of ringside for Swerve, but Swerve slides out from under the ring! The fans fire up as Swerve slips in to CHAIN PUNCH Lashley!! MVP gets on the apron but Swerve DECKS MVP with a chain punch! And then Shelton eats a chain punch! The fans are thunderous as Swerve aims, and hits a HOUSE CALL on Lashley! Swerve hurries to the top rope, and he gives Lashley a KILL STOMP!!
The fans are thunderous as Swerve stands over Lashley! MVP & Shelton get up and get in, but Swerve escapes, chain draped on his neck! Will AEW then, now and forever be whose house? “SWERVE’S HOUSE!”
Backstage interview with Mariah May & Mina Shirakawa.
Renee is now with the AEW Women’s World Champion and her best friend, the Rev-Pro Undisputed British Women’s Champion. They are planning their Championship Champagne Celebration for Full Gear, BUT Friday Night Rampage will feature the two of them teaming up for the first time in just over a year. Mariah says no champion deserves a celebration more than her. Her rise to the top was meteoric, and her reign will be historic. She takes ish and makes it shine, any time and any show, against anyone. In Mariah’s division, you hold this title, or you die.
Mina says yes, Mariah has been working so hard. She came back to tell her she is so very proud. And Mina will give Mariah a celebration she’ll never forget! Mariah says the “H Cup Angel” (Mina) and the “Woman from Hell” (Mariah herself) are going to make Rampage into Glampage. Everyone wants Mina, but Mina wants Mariah. And then… They’ll dance! These two shimmy and shake their way out, will they finally be toasting their victories at Full Gear?
Darby Allin VS Claudio Castagnoli w/ The Death Riders!
The Relentless One told The Swiss Superman that revenge was coming, and here is Darby’s chance! Will Darby avenge Bryan Danielson? Or will he just be the next to fall?
The bell rings and Darby stares Claudio down. Darby takes some deep breaths then circles with Claudio. Darby slips around to waistlock but Claudio flings him off, only for Darby to roll to his feet. They circle again, and the fans rally behind Darby. Darby and Claudio feel things out, tie up, and Darby headlocks. Claudio lifts Darby but Darby thrashes the hold. Claudio throws Darby off, runs up, but Darby uses that to get around and springboard arm-drag! The fans fire up while Claudio bails out, and Darby taunts Claudio with some drop steps. Claudio snarls, but then Darby fakes him out with a slingshot!
Claudio is annoyed and takes a swing but Darby slingshots up and over! Darby taunts Claudio again while the fans rally up. Claudio cools off before he storms up the steel steps. Claudio pops Darby up but Darby keeps from hitting buckles! Darby ELBOWS Claudio away, goes up, then leaps, but Claudio catches him! Claudio SLAMS Darby down, flips him back to his feet, but Darby slips around to waistlock. O’Conner Roll, TWO! Darby springboards to SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Claudio bails out but the fans fire up. Darby goes up a corner, and he SUPER COFFIN SPLASHES into a waistlock! Claudio swings and THROWS Darby away!
Darby staggers to his feet but Claudio runs up, to POUNCE Darby into railing! Darby writhes against the railing, but Claudio runs up to UPPERCUT Darby up and over! Fans freak out as Darby hits the floor! Claudio leaves Darby behind while the ring count climbs, but Darby drags himself up at 7. Claudio goes back out after Darby to suplex! Claudio holds Darby up while he marches up the steps! The fans fire up for this feat of strength and balance, and then Claudio TOSSES Darby back into the ring! Darby writhes again while Claudio steps back in. Claudio stalks Darby, talks some trash, and Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Claudio looms over Darby, then deadlift gut wrenches for a GUTBUSTER! And then another GUTBUSTER! And then another GUTBUSTER! Darby writhes while Claudio stands over him again. Claudio watches Darby crawl towards a corner and stalks him. Claudio drags Darby up, brings him around, and ROCKS Darby with a forearm! Darby pushes Claudio, then CHOPS! Claudio DECKS Darby! Darby tumbles out of the ring! The ref wants Claudio to stay back while Darby drags himself up. Darby is back in before the count starts, but then Claudio DOUBLE STOMPS him! Claudio kicks Darby around, then clamps on with a neck wrench!
Darby endures, fights up, but Claudio powers him down. Darby BITES Claudio’s hand! The ref reprimands but Darby fires off forearms on Claudio. Claudio HIP TOSSES Darby up and out of the ring! Darby hits the floor and flounders around while the ref reprimands Claudio. Claudio again waits on Darby, and then he DOUBLE STOMPS Darby the moment he’s in! The ref counts as Claudio stands on Darby at the ropes. Claudio steps off at 4, brings him around, and clamps on an armlock and chinbar. Darby endures, fights around, and manages to fireman’s carry Claudio! But Claudio rains down elbows! HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL even!
Claudio clamps on with a double wristlock and he grinds Darby down. Darby still endures and the fans rally up again. Darby fights around and Dynamite returns to single picture. Darby fires body shots but Claudio knees low! Claudio then HIP TOSSES Darby into a corner! Darby tumbles out of the ring but Claudio pursues! Claudio SWINGS Darby into railing! Then Claudio fireman’s carries, to TOSS Darby back in the ring! Claudio storms in while Darby flounders away. Darby flops back out of the ring but Claudio pursues him again. Darby trips Claudio up and traps him in the apron skirt! Darby then fires forearms, and BITES Claudio’s ear!
The fans fire up but Claudio shoves Darby away. Darby slides into the ring then DIVES onto Claudio! And then runs to DIVE again! Down goes Claudio and the fans fire up! Darby crawls over to bring Claudio up and into the ring. The fans fire up as Darby climbs up a corner, though slowly given all the damage to his back. That lets Claudio trip Darby up! Darby is stuck up top, and Claudio climbs up after him. Claudio gut wrenches for a SUPER GUT WRENCH PLEX!! Cover, TWO!! Darby survives and Claudio can’t believe it! The fans fire up but Claudio calls for the swing! Claudio grabs the legs, but Darby twists to a victory roll! TWO!!
Claudio escapes and runs up, but Darby ducks ‘n’ dodges, roll and- WHOA, Claudio has to fight to stay up, and then he deadlifts Darby! Darby pops through to CODE RED!! Cover, TWO!! Claudio survives and the fans fire up again! “This is Awesome!” as Darby and Claudio crawl for ropes. Claudio runs up to UPPERCUT! And UPPERCUT again and again and again! The ref backs Claudio off, but then Claudio fires off body shots! Darby flops over but Claudio has the legs. Claudio FLIPS Darby up and over the ropes, but Darby lands on the apron! Claudio BOOTS Darby down! The ref wants Claudio to hold on but Claudio goes out after Darby.
Claudio drags Darby by his legs, then SWINGS him around! Into steel steps!! The fans lose their minds, the ref reprimands Claudio, but Claudio doesn’t care. The fans tell Claudio he is sick, but Claudio TOSSES Darby over the announce desk!! Schiavone, Excalibur & Matt Menard narrowly avoid becoming collateral damage! But Claudio clears the desk and brings Darby up. Claudio puts Darby on the desk, then stands over him. The ref reprimands but Claudio just ignores him. Claudio drags Darby up, and gorilla presses him! SUPER DUPER TOSS onto the timekeeper’s table!! The fans lose their minds as Darby is down but that table’s somehow still standing!
The ref checks on Darby but Claudio storms right over! The ref tells Claudio to stop so they go to the ring. Claudio lets the ring count start, and yet Darby somehow stirs at 4 of 10! The fans rally as hard as they can and Darby crawls his way over! Darby is still far away at 7! But then he powers up and LEAPS in at 9!! But Claudio LARIATS Darby inside-out!! Cover, Claudio wins!
Winner: Claudio Castagnoli, by pinfall
Darby truly is relentless, with durability like no other, but it just wasn’t enough against the strength and brutality of Claudio! Will no one stop The Death Riders from running roughshod over AEW?
Backstage interview with Private Party.
Renee is with Marq Quen & Isiah Kassidy and brings up that at Full Gear, the AEW World Tag Team Championships are on the line in a Fatal 4 Way. Private Party takes on The Acclaimed, The Outrunners and The Kings of the Black Throne. In such a match, the champs do NOT have to be pinned or submitted to lose their titles, so what is their strategy? Brother Zay says they obviously can’t tell her that, the other teams are watching. But it seems like the odds are against them. Fortunately, the odds have been against them their whole lives, their whole careers, just like against The Young Bucks.
But look what happened: Private Party defied the odds, beat The Bucks, and are your AEW World Tag Team Champions. That is the same thing that happens on Saturday. They leave Newark, New Jersey still your tag team champions. Because there ain’t no party like a Private Party, that’s a flex. Oh, speaking of! It’s AJ & Big Justice! They’re fired up to be here, but Justice wants to know what that face Zay made was last week. Oh, right, this one, with the chin scratching. And AJ says they’ve got a BIG announcement coming up after this! Maybe some double chunk chocolate cookies? BOOM!!
A green Porsche Taycan pulls up to the middle of nowhere.
And out steps MJF. The Wolf of Wrestling tells the hobo to “go get it” as he throws spare change off to the side like birdseed. MVP then sits back and tells Roderick Strong, “You’ve been through so much. The kid who grew up trailer park trash with two abusive alcoholic parents. For crying out loud! Your own mother shot your father right in front of you. That’s traumatizing. And as you know, Roddy, trauma is the result of an overwhelming sense of danger, powerlessness and fear. However, healing is a result of feeling safe, empowered and supported. That’s why you’d do anything for Cole. He makes you feel all those positive things that you lacked.
“It’s why I was no different than you. It’s why I trusted him. Unfortunately, the difference between you and I: Cole for me was a mirage of what I wanted him to be. A fraud, a liar. And whilst Cole is a fraud, I do actually believe deep down, in his narcissistic, sociopathic, frail, feeble frame, is a man who cares about Roderick Strong. This is precisely why upon further contemplation, I am happy you won, Roddy. Because I want Adam Cole to watch a person he cares about suffer! And because of your White trash upbringing, you aren’t intelligent enough to realize that you don’t have a prayer. And I’m sending you back to where you belong. To your grimy little trailer park.
“And after the match, you’ll be in so much physical anguish, you’ll wish your mother hadn’t shot your father, but instead shot you.” As if this scumbag couldn’t stoop any lower, he brings up Roddy’s past to hurt him. But will Roddy make sure MJF’s future is the one full of pain and suffering?
Backstage interview with AJ & Big Justice.
Renee is with the Costco Tiktok sensations and says that in the Full Gear Zero Hour, we will see #BigBoomAJ take on QT Marshall in a match 20 YEARS in the making. AJ says it may have been 20 years in the making for QT, this all started for AJ when QT threw the double chunk chocolate cookies down! Renee says AJ has not been in the ring in those 20 years, is he concerned about how his body will hold up? AJ isn’t worried about that, because he just has one strategy, and that’s the strategy they use each and every day. That strategy is to bring the BOOM~! But hey, there’s another special announcement.
Because when AJ rings QT’s bell, and he Power-Booms QT right in the middle of that ring, there is only one guy they want ringing the bell: Big Justice’s best friend, THE RIZZLER! Time to bring the BOOM~! Will QT be sleeping on the mat for The Rizzler? Will he be skibidi? Fanum Tax? Why are those even words?
Tony Schiavone is on stage.
And he welcomes out The Undisputed Kingdom! The fans cheer as Roderick Strong makes his way out, accompanied by Matt Taven & Mike Bennett. Schiavone brings up Roddy VS MJF at Full Gear, and we just heard all that disgusting stuff MJF had to say. Roddy’s response is that to be honest, he has not slept a wink since last week. IT is finally happening! Roddy feels like a kid on Christmas morning. He finally gets his hands on “MAAAAAX~!” The fans echo that, and Roddy says if MJF was here tonight, and not hiding out there, Roddy would ask him: Is Roddy supposed to be ashamed of his childhood?
Is Roddy supposed to be ashamed of his parents? You don’t think Roddy’s heard that stuff before? His whole LIFE, that is what people brought up! His mom’s an addict, his dad’s an addict, mom shot dad. Good job, Max, you made Roddy feel like he was in elementary school again. And people may look at Roddy’s past and feel sorry for him, but Roddy asks us not to. Because looking at MJF, Roddy feels sorry for him. Understand this, Max. With Roddy’s life, he learned that to get the most out of life, you have to earn it. If you wanna break the cycle, you have to earn it. And that is what Roddy’s done ever since he was a kid!
And now looking at MJF, he’s been spoon-fed everything. And when something doesn’t go his way or something happens and he doesn’t like it, MJF throws a temper tantrum like a baby until that changes. So Roddy wants MJF to do something for him: Look in the mirror and think about all the things that MJF has done to people. The manipulating, the backstabbing, the using. MJF needs to realize, when the bell rings at Full Gear, MJF will pay for all those sins. With every chop, with every punch, with every elbow, with every backbreaker! And when it is all over, Roddy walks to his hotel room for the best night of sleep in his life because he earned it.
Especially because Roddy will know he has broken MJF’s back, and left him humbled! Roddy is all fired up, and the fans are with him! Will MJF finally get what’s coming to him? Or will he give Roddy nightmares for the rest of his life?
AEW shares footage taken from last Saturday night.
First, a recap video of Daniel Garcia thwarting Jack Perry’s attempts to abduct and torture Matthew Menard, as well as the joyride they took in the Scapegoat bus, with Perry as the hood ornament. And now, they have Perry strapped into a chair, the bus headlights as the only source of light. Menard is behind the camera as he asks Perry how he’s feeling. How’d that work out for him, huh? Garcia splashes Perry with water to wake him up, and says “Let’s have a conversation. I’m all ears.” Perry chuckles and says Garcia thinks he’s so much better than him. Look at where they are! Garcia shouts back that he doesn’t wanna be here!
Garcia just wants to wrestle, but AEW is full of savages! Perry tried to take Daddy Magic’s life! And those in power just sit back and watch, pretending that nothing’s going on. So what do they do? Gotta take the power back, right? Perry counters with, “Everybody’s got a code. Everybody cares about right and wrong until it costs them something. Until they have to SACRIFICE!” Garcia gets in Perry’s face, grabs him by the mouth, and says Perry’s always going on about sacrifice but Perry has no idea what Garcia’s had to go through! Perry has NO idea what Garcia’s had to sacrifice to be here!
Garcia knows where Perry wants him to go, but Garcia promises that he’s never gonna go there. Perry smirks, then SPITS in Garcia’s face. Garcia wipes that off his face and says bet. Garcia’s got something for Perry, so just wait right there. Garcia goes to the bus while Perry mockingly asks what he’s gonna do. Menard tells shut up, Jack! Life must be so hard for him! What’s Jack got to be sad about?! Garcia comes back and he has a crowbar! Perry dares him to go ahead. Garcia raises the bar, but he SMASHES up the bus! Garcia throws the crowbar away and Perry laughs. Is that it? Garcia tells Menard they’ll get out of here. What? Where’s Garcia going?
Perry says yeah, walk away. Menard tells Perry that Garcia’s gonna whoop his ass! Just wait! Menard leaves, Perry shouts into the night, but will The Face of TNT soon be the one sacrificed for the greater good?
Renee Paquette presides over the ROH World Championship contract signing.
She welcomes us backstage to the signing for this match, which will happen next week, Dynamite: Thanksgiving Eve, in Chicago. The challenger, Tomohiro Ishii, is on her left, and the champion, Chris Jericho, is on her right. Jericho, as champion, you have the honors to sign first. Jericho smiles and waves as he says, “Hi, guys.” But Renee, you should know better. A champion of Jericho’s caliber does not just sign a contract thrust at his face randomly. He has a whole legal team that needs to approve this contract. Renee says it was sent to said legal team last week. Oh, really? What about today? The now! Jericho lives in the now!
Jericho says he’ll get this checked by his legal eagles one more time. But for now, wait here. Choto matte kudesai. Jericho steps around the corner and then down the hall. He smiles at his own picture on the wall. What a good looking guy. But wait, Ishii has followed Jericho to the hall. Jericho is a bit worried as he keeps moving. Jericho tries to block Ishii’s path but a trash can isn’t enough. Jericho tells staffers that Ishii wants to talk to them. They step in the way but Ishii pushes them aside. Jericho moves faster, pushes more people in the way, but Ishii pushes them aside. Was that RJ City?
Jericho goes up some stairs but Ishii follows. Ishii’s even gaining ground! Jericho goes through a doorway and ends up in the concourse! Fans cheer as Jericho and Ishii keep up their cat ‘n’ mouse game. Jericho decides to go into the stands! Ishii follows, and they head down the bleachers towards ringside! Jericho hurries over railing but so does Ishii. They go into the ring, and now Jericho tells Ishii to stop following him! Jericho wants a mic, a mic is brought, and Jericho says hey, listen, Ishii. Jericho would sign this contract, but he doesn’t have a pen. Ishii has a pen! Oh. Ishii clicks it for Jericho, and pushes it into him.
Jericho takes the pen, looks at the contract again, and still hesitates. Jericho signs his part, and then hands things over to Ishii. But then BRYAN KEITH & BIG BILL ATTACK! It was all a massive set-up! Bad Apple & Redwood beat down Stone Pitbull, and then sit him up! Jericho has the pen ready, but here comes The Conglomeration! Mark Briscoe & Rocky Romero rush in, and Mark TACKLES Jericho! Rocky fires off on Bill while Mark CHOKES Jericho! Keith saves Jericho from Mark but Mark fires hands on Keith! The fans fire up, but then Bill SKYSCRAPER- NO, Mark UPPERCUTS Bill first! Rocky adds on!
The fans fire up as The Conglomeration pinballs Bill, and then Ishii CLOBBERS him! Bill tumbles out, but Rocky DIVES! Bill is sent into railing! Keith stands up, into a kick and underhooks! JAY DRILLER! Jericho stands up, Ishii has him, and hits a BRAINBUSTER!! Conglomeration stands tall over The Learning Tree and his Branches, and now Ishii signs his part! The match is now official, and Ishii is looking to take a bite out of Jericho! Will The Conglomeration have the ROH World Championship to be thankful for this year?
Backstage interview with Jamie Hayter.
Renee is with the former AEW Women’s World Champion and notes that last time, we were going to hear from her, only for her to be interrupted by Julia Hart. What is Hayter’s reaction to that? Well, yeah, she isn’t angry, but she is baffled why Julia chose to interrupt Hayter. They’ve never really spoken or interacted, or even wrestled each other. Hayter is just curious as to why Julia felt it was okay to do that. Granted, Julia can do whatever she wants, Hayter moves to the beat of her own drum just as much as Julia. But… if Julia wants to have a chat-
Uh oh, something is happening to the video! Brody King’s message echoes, “It’s time to come home.” Julia Hart walks through the woods. Brody says The House is her foundation. She has seen her rebirth. Now it is time to rebuild. She has woken up stronger, more determined, and more dangerous than ever. Julia aims her arrow to shoot down a target: her past self. Her obstacles are just bull’s eyes. She is the Princess of the Black Throne, and the Keeper of Secrets. She is Julia Hart, and her heart grows harder. She hits her mark, but will she find Hayter Hits Hard?
Orange Cassidy VS Wheeler Yuta!
Freshly Squeezed has been accused of being coldblooded and uncaring, but he got pretty heated as he told The Conglomeration to keep themselves safe tonight. He goes 1v1 with The Decoder, a young man who was once Cassidy’s student, and who left him behind to join the then Blackpool Combat Club. If anyone is uncaring, it is Yuta with how he would then follow Jon Moxley’s lead in the destruction of Bryan Danielson and Chuck Taylor. Who will be the more ferocious fighter tonight, this close to Full Gear?
The bell rings and Yuta SHOTGUNS Cassidy! Yuta follows Cassidy to a corner to CHOP, then ROCK, then CHOP again! Yuta whips corner to corner but Cassidy goes up and out. Cassidy bumps Yuta off buckles, climbs up top, but has to leap over. Yuta comes back but Cassidy catches him to a backslide! TWO, but Cassidy reels Yuta in for a cradle! TWO! Yuta pulls on an ear! But Cassidy arm-drags and wrangles Yuta into the SEATBELT! TWO!! Yuta escapes and the fans fire up as these two stand off. Yuta huffs ‘n’ puffs, but Cassidy shows he wants a grapple. They feel things out, knuckle lock, but Cassidy blocks a kick!
Cassidy reels Yuta in for a headlock, but Yuta powers up and out. Cassidy ducks ‘n’ rolls, tilt-o-whirls, but Yuta suplexes! Into STUN DOG MILLIONAIRE! Yuta tumbles out and fans fire up! Cassidy builds speed to DIVE! Down goes Yuta and the fans fire up again! Cassidy brings Yuta up, whips, but Yuta reverses to reel Cassidy in! Cassidy fights the suplex, but then Yuta fights a suplex. Yuta suplexes, to RAILING BRAINBUSTER!! Cassidy writhes and fans are stunned! Yuta stomps Cassidy, then leaves him behind for the ring count. Cassidy crawls into the ring, Yuta exposes a crossbar, and then he GRINDS Cassidy’s face into the steel!
The fans boo, the ref reprimands, but Yuta steps off at 4. Cassidy seethes as he rises up, but Yuta has him at the corner. Cassidy kicks Yuta’s legs out and Yuta falls onto a turnbuckle! Yuta falls back, Cassidy climbs, but Yuta grabs Cassidy first! Yuta drags Cassidy down but Cassidy fires hands. Yuta squeezes the facelock tight, then hits an APRON DDT! The fans boo Yuta while Cassidy writhes, and Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Cassidy clutches his neck while Yuta waits in the ring. A ring count starts and Yuta eggs Cassidy on. Cassidy reaches up as the count reaches 5 of 10, but he doesn’t sit up until 6. Cassidy hobbles up, stumbles and falls, but springs back to life! He slides in at 9! Only for Yuta to be right on him! Yuta reels Cassidy in, but Cassidy turns that into BEACH BREAK! Cover, TWO!! Yuta survives but Cassidy is too sore to be frustrated. They both sit up, and Yuta crawls his way over to a corner. Cassidy rises, checks his neck, then runs up, but into an ELBOW! Yuta goes up, but Cassidy JUMP FOREARMS! Cassidy positions Yuta just right before he climbs the corner.
Yuta resists but Cassidy still brings Yuta up. Yuta continues to fight the suplex, throws body shots, then shoves Cassidy down. Cassidy rolls back to his feet, runs back up the corner, but Yuta again fights the suplex! Cassidy fires hands, but Yuta fires back! They brawl up top, Cassidy HEADBUTTS Yuta! But Yuta HEADBUTTS back! They both wobble, but then Cassidy BITES Yuta! The ref reprimands, but Cassidy CLAWS Yuta’s back! This is very Moxley of him to do! And then Cassidy hits the SUPERPLEX! Both men are down and the ref checks. They’re both okay to continue, so a standing count begins!
Cassidy sits up, spots Yuta, and heads that way. Yuta sits up, they fire forearms as they stand! Dynamite returns to single picture as these shots go back and forth. The fans fire up for Cassidy but boo Yuta as the shots go faster and faster! Yuta BITES Cassidy’s forehead! Yuta spits then runs, but Cassidy dodges! BODY BLOW! SUPERKICK! Yuta sits down, Cassidy runs, PENALTY KICK! Cassidy slashes his throat, hauls Yuta up, BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Yuta survives but Cassidy seethes. Cassidy rains down fists on Yuta! The ref reprimands about closed fists and hair pulling, but Cassidy doesn’t stop until the ref counts 4.
Cassidy stands, and he throws off the elbow pad! Cassidy aims at Yuta, runs up, but Yuta ducks the punch! GERMAN SUPLEX! Yuta runs to CHOP in the corner! And then a wrench and PAIN THRILLER! The fans boo while Yuta seethes and stands over Cassidy. Yuta sits Cassidy up, for HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! But Cassidy blocks one! And bends fingers, to then SNAP them! The fans fire up as Cassidy SNAPS finger after finger! Yuta swings, Cassidy BOOTS him, then serves up SOLE FOOD! Scoop and MICHINOKU DRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Cassidy is busting out all his best friends’ best moves, but he hasn’t gotten it done!
Cassidy aims, loads up, and ORANGE- NO, Yuta ducks! Orange fights the suplex, switches to O’Conner Roll! TWO, Yuta dodges Cassidy, scoops him, and CROSS LEG TOMBSTONE!! Cover, TWO?!? Cassidy survives and Yuta is furious! The fans are thunderous, but Yuta rains down HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! Cassidy grits his teeth but he’s almost a ragdoll! Yuta lets off to then hook the arms, CATTLE MUTILATION!! Cassidy endures as Yuta thrashes him around! Cassidy powers up as the fans rally, and he kicks around to the ROPEBREAK!! Yuta holds on, the ref counts, and Yuta finally lets go at 4!
The ref reprimands Yuta, but Yuta pushes past the ref to go outside the ring. Yuta grabs a chair! Yuta storms into the ring while the fans boo, and the ref says don’t do it! Cassidy dodges the chair shot! Victory roll, CASSIDY WINS!!
Winner: Orange Cassidy, by pinfall
Yuta is in disbelief! Cassidy beat him with a technical move! Yuta snarls but the ref keeps him back. Cassidy did what he promised in beating Yuta, but then he stares his former student down. Is Cassidy going to offer a handshake? WAIT, PAC ATTACKS! The Bastard BOOTS Cassidy down so we’ll never know what Cassidy was going to do! The fans boo more but Pac & Yuta stand on Cassidy. The rest of the Death Riders appear, and Marina Shafir has duct tape! The AEW World Trios Champions stomp away on Cassidy, like vultures picking the bones. Moxley steps into the ring while Marina hands the tape over to Pac.
Claudio puts Cassidy’s hands in his pockets, and then Pac tapes them in! Cassidy is physically bound, and Moxley paces around. Cassidy is pushed around by all the Death Riders, then Moxley DECKS him! Claudio hauls Cassidy back up, the Death Riders keep bullying him, and then Moxley SLAPS Cassidy down! But the bullying continues as they stand Cassidy up. Cassidy “kicks” Moxley! Defiant to the end! But Moxley DECKS him again! Moxley paces around more, then stomps Cassidy right on the face! Moxley leads The Death Riders away, and The Conglomeration finally comes out here.
Mark has scissors to cut Cassidy loose, and the fans boo as The Death Riders still retreat. Cassidy tries to stand up, but he has to use ropes to do it. Even so, Cassidy stands on his own two feet. Moxley eggs on the fans while Cassidy puts his sunglasses on. And then hands up, and then into the pockets! Try as they might, The Death Riders could not break the Freshly Squeezed fighting spirit! Will Cassidy finally become AEW World Champion? Or will Moxley find a way to break Cassidy at Full Gear?
My Thoughts:
A great go-home Dynamite here, though it felt like it contracted Go Home Syndrome. A lot of recap and other promos, but good promos all the same. Good follow-up from last week with Hayter and Hart, that will probably really get going after Full Gear. Good promo from Mariah & Mina to hype up their celebration segment for Full Gear, and with Toni Storm’s announcement of her retirement, you can bet Toni is anything but retired! Toni Storm most assuredly will return very soon, maybe even to ruin the celebration and spark another feud. I still want us to get to Mariah VS Mina but maybe Storm moves things back so that Mariah VS Mina happens in 2025.
Good promo from Private Party to also have AJ & Big Justice show up. The promos didn’t really add much to any of the matches, though. I’m very sure AJ does hit the BOOM on QT to win, and then Private Party finds a way to survive the Fatal 4. Great stuff with Perry, Garcia and Menard, that was another very action movie kind of promo, maybe even like that grittier Batman movie. But with Garcia not sinking to the same lows as Perry, that will be why Garcia loses. Honestly, why not just have Perry blatantly get himself disqualified? What great heat for Perry while keeping Garcia strong in not becoming TNT Champion.
Great promos in this MJF story. I appreciate Cole throwing his support behind Roddy was good, as well as Kyle O’Reilly wanting Cole to just leave it at this. MJF of course insults Roddy over his past while also trashing Cole at the same time, but great response from Roddy. Also I’m not a car guy so it took me a little too long to Google out what car MJF was driving. Anyway, given all these promos, I am very confident MJF wins at Full Gear and then Cole still wants after MJF, only for Kyle to have to fight Cole to make him stop. Then we’ll maybe get Cole VS MJF at Worlds End, or even some time in 2025.
Very good stuff with The Hurt Syndicate, even with them getting jumped by Swerve. Poor Cheeseburger, that’s one fan favorite that got fed to Bobby Lashley. But Swerve getting the better of the Hurt Syndicate again and again tonight, all the more reason Lashley wins at Full Gear. Very good promo vignette from White and Hangman to hype up their grudge match, which still feels it could go either way since they’re tied on the year. And Jericho and Ishii had perhaps simultaneously the most clever and most ridiculous contract signing segment ever. And of course Jericho worked out some sort of trap, only for it to go badly for him and his team. But with that, that means Ishii is losing next week, as I figured he would.
Awesome opening match with the 8 Man, and I liked that they had Hobbs do the “fighting through the pain” angle in the match. Also, great bit with Kyle Fletcher sending Davis into harm’s way so that the Callis Family can get the better of Ospreay’s team. I thought the Faces were going to win here, but the math now says Ospreay finds a way to beat Kyle, and maybe Ricochet takes the International Championship from Konosuke Takeshita. The Continental Classic is coming, and they could easily use that round robin to get Konosuke back to a feud with Kazuchika Okada and they battle for the Continental Championship at Worlds End like we should’ve gotten at WrestleDream.
Awesome match from Kris VS Shida, and I appreciate the crisis of confidence for Shida. Kris gets a great win to go into Full Gear, and then Kris and Shida get the better of Mone & Kamille, so all the more reason Mone finds a way to survive. As for Kamille, I feel like she should ditch Mone for being treated like crap by Mone, and maybe we can get a feud of Mone VS Kamille going into 2025. And of course, plenty of promos from Death Riders and “Team AEW” members. Moxley just kinda went on and on about stuff he’s already said in reference to Cassidy, but I did like Claudio going bilingual in talking trash on Darby.
Awesome matches from those stories, of course. Darby really got thrown around but he continues to show that toughness. Claudio getting the win mostly keeps Darby back so that Darby can build towards a world title match at Worlds End. Cassidy VS Yuta was great stuff, too, with great back and forth of Cassidy wanting to end it quick, having to grit it out with Yuta, and then Cassidy still finding a way to end it with a quick pin. And they did a good job muddying the math. Cassidy wins the match, but the Death Riders beat him down, only for Cassidy to literally stand tall at the end of the show. I still don’t see him taking the world title from Moxley, though, with Darby still in the wings, but this could end up Cassidy’s best match yet.
My Score: 8.9/10
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Will this be the mightiest Tag League yet?
It’s time for NJPW World Tag League 2024, and this year already looks mighty good as IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, Zack Sabre Jr, is in the A Block! Will he and Ryohei Oiwa make everyone #JustTapOut?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kickoff – Shoma Kato VS Masatora Yasuda; Kato wins.
- Six Man Tag: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Jado & Katsuya Murashima VS Taiji Ishimori & The Filip Brothers; Taiji & The Filip Brothers win.
- Six Man Tag: Toru Yano, Boltin Oleg & Tiger Mask VS The House of Torture; The House of Torture wins.
- Six Man Tag: Taichi, Douki & Taka Michinoku VS The United Empire; Taichi, Douki & Taka win.
- Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS TMDK; TMDK wins.
- World Tag League 2024 A Block: Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma VS Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman; Cobb & Callum win.
- World Tag League 2024 A Block: Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji VS Alex Zayne & Ryusuke Taguchi; Takagi & Tsuji win.
- World Tag League 2024 A Block: Bishamon VS KENTA & Chase Owens; Bishamon wins.
- World Tag League 2024 A Block: Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa VS Gabe Kidd & SANADA; ZSJ & Oiwa win.
PLAY BY PLAY
World Tag League 2024 A Block: Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma VS Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman!
The Roughneck is bringing Everyone’s Kokeshi along for the ride, but this league might already be too much to handle. Can Honma help Shota bring about his Paradigm Shift? Or will they just get conquered by the United Empire?
The teams sort out and Shota starts against The Imperial Unit. The bell rings and Shota runs up to RAM Cobb! And RAM! And RAM! Cobb stays up so Shota kicks low. Shota runs to RAM Cobb, but Cobb rebounds to CLOBBER Shota! The fans cheer while Cobb stalks Shota. Cobb brings Shota up to whip him to a corner. Shota comes back to RAM Cobb! Cobb stays up, so Shota clinches! Cobb fights free with elbows, but Shota dodges a lariat to RAM Cobb! Cobb falls over! The fans fire up with Shota, and he brings Cobb up again. Callum runs in so Shota shoves Cobb aside to catch Callum. Shota shoves Callum at Honma for a shoulder tackle!
The fans fire up as Shota keeps moving and he SOMERSAULT SENTONS Callum! Shota then sets up so he and Honma can tabletop Cobb! Cobb sits up into Shota’s SHOTGUN! The fans fire up and Shota tags Honma. The fans rally behind Honma as he CLUBS Cobb. Honma reels Cobb in, but Cobb suplexes first! Cobb SLAMS Honma down, then calls for Callum. Callum rises but Cobb says hold on. The “Cobby Cat” mocks Honma by bopping himself on the head. Cobb then runs to FALLING KOKESHIÂ FLOP! Honma winds up and runs, but Callum is in the way! Cobb runs up, Honma dodges the lariat but Callum tags in.
Cobb dodges Honma, then shoves him at Callum. They pinball Honma around, and Callum BOOTS Honma while Cobb BLASTS Shota! Then Callum & Cobb coordinate to HIGH LOW with a shoulder tackle and leg sweep! The fans cheer and Cobb says You Can’t See Him! Callum stomps Honma, then KICKS him in the back. Honma gets mad but Callum scuffs him again and again. Honma rises, CHOPS, and CHOPS again! Callum CHOPS and pretends that hurt his hand. Callum CLUBS Honma down but the fans rally up. Honma rises to CHOP! And CHOP! And CHOP! Callum kicks low, reels him in, but Honma fights the suplex!
Honma catches Callum’s lariat to spin and DDT! The fans fire up while both men are down! Callum and Honma crawl, but Honma hot tags Shota! Shota rallies on Callum with big elbows! Shota whips, Callum reverses, but SHota ducks ‘n’ dodges to CLOBBER Callum! Cobb runs up, but Shota arm-drags him, then dropkicks the legs out! Cobb bails, Shota fires up, and the fans rally again. Shota whips Callum corner to corner, runs up on him, and UPPERCUTS! Shota reels Callum in for a FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Not quite perfect but Shota doesn’t let that slow him down!
Shota waits on Callum, then runs, but Callum avoids Ignition to hook Shota! Shota fights the backslide so Callum whips him to a corner. Callum runs up but Shota dodges! Shota runs up but Callum goes up and over! Callum keeps moving, but Shota ROCKS him, UPPERCUTS him, and runs! Callum follows to ROCK Shota at the ropes! Callum runs, but then stops to fake out Shota’s dropkick! Shota sits up, but he ducks the Penalty Kick! Shota rolls Callum but Callum rolls through. Shota ROCKS Callum, then spins, but Callum dodges the rolling elbow! DREAMCAST KICK! Shota drops to his knees and the fans fire up!
Callum and Shota crawl, hot tag to Cobb! Cobb runs up to waistlock Shota for a deadlift! Shota fights with elbows, goes to run, but Cobb reels him in for a forearm to the back! Cobb runs, but Shota DROPKICKS him! The fans fire up again and Shota heads for his corner. Hot tag to Honma! The fans rally as Honma CHOPS Cobb, and CHOPS, and CHOPS! Honma puts Cobb in a corner, whips him corner to corner, then runs up. Honma ELBOWS Cobb and hits a BULLDOG! The fans fire up as Honma shows Cobb how it’s done! FALLING KOKESHI- NO! Now Honma FLOPS as Cobb moves! Callum runs up to SHOTGUN Shota off the apron!
The fans fire up as Cobb RAMS Honma into the corner! Callum runs up to forearm SMASH! Callum drops down and Cobb LEAPS over to ELBOW Honma! Callum comes back and Cobb pops him up to the apron! ENZIGIRI, then fireman’s carry! Callum climbs, DOUBLE STOMP ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT! PENALTY KICK and GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULT! Cover, Shota breaks it! The fans fire up and Shota TOSSES Callum! Cobb kicks Shota, whips, but Shota reverses to TORNADO DDT! Shota shouts to Honma and the fans fire up again. Honma rises and he storms up on Cobb. Honma & Shota double whip corner to corner!
Honma runs up to LARIAT! Honma feeds Cobb to Shota’s UPPERCUT! Honma LARIATS, Shota clinches, EXPLODER!! The fans cheer and Honma runs, SLIDING KOKESHI! Shota keeps moving, IGNITION! Honma covers, Callum breaks it! Shota stomps Callum out of the ring and leaves the rest to Honma. Honma drags Cobb up, but Cobb fights the suplex! Cobb ROCKS Honma, whips him, but Honma grabs ropes! Honma BOOTS Cobb, and Shota joins in! DOUBLE RUNNING KOKESHI! And then they DOUBLE FALLING KOKESHI! Cover, TWO!! Cobb survives but Shota goes after Callum! CANNONBALL to the floor!
The fans fire up again as Honma climbs! FLYING- NO, Cobb catches Honma! SPINEBUSTER, and FALLING HAMMER! Cover, TWO!! Honma survives and the fans fire up again! But then Cobb reels Honma in, for a TOUR OF THE ISLAND!! Cover, United Empire wins!
Winners: Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Shota & Honma earn 0)
A powerful showing from “The Kokeshi Brothers,” but they could not bring down Callum & Cobb. With the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships already on Great-O-Khan & Henare, will The United Empire completely dominate the NJPW Heavyweight Tag Division?
World Tag League 2024 A Block: Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji VS Alex Zayne & ???
Los Ingobernables de Japon’s heavy formation is in this block, ready to rampage like twin dragons. If only The Sauce could’ve brought his own monster back. Who will be the substitute for Lance Archer? And can he help heat things up?
Zayne makes his entrance before anyone else, and asks to speak on the mic. A mic is given, and Zayne says, “Kon’nichiwa.” The fans applaud, and Zayne explains that when he was contacted this year for WTL, he was also informed that Lance Archer could not make it. Zayne knew he had to do one thing: find the most “delicious” tag partner he could find. And that man is… RYUSUKE TAGUCHI!? The fans can’t believe the Funky Weapon is joining Zayne in this tournament! And he wears a green version of Zayne’s gear! Are things about to get really spicy now?
The teams sort out, and Takagi is in disbelief. LIJ fist bumps and the fans applaud. Taguchi and Zayne bow, “Itadakimasu,” and Zayne starts against Yota. They circle, tie up, and Yota powers Zayne back. But Zayne powers Yota back! Yota powers up to power Zayne onto the ropes, but Zayne turns things around. The ref counts, Zayne lets off slowly with a pat on the shoulders, but Yota plays with Zayne’s hair. Zayne smirks and Yota grins as the two reset. They circle, tie up, and are in a deadlock. Yota headlocks, but Zayne powers up and out. Yota RAMS Zayne but neither man falls. Fans cheer as Yota grins and Zayne plays with his own hair.
Things speed up suddenly, and Zayne sidesteps. Yota bucks the O’Conner Roll, then gets around Zayne. Zayne ELBOWS Yota away to a corner. Zayne runs up to BACK ELBOW and go to the apron in one go! Then he slingshots to RANA! Yota has a rough tumble, but he stands back up. Zayne runs up again, dodges the lariat and waistlocks, only to bring Yota back and run. Yota sidesteps Zayne then drops down, only for Zayne to IMPLODER KNEE DROP! The fans fire up but Zayne keeps moving, STANDING MARIPOSA! The fans cheer more while Zayne grins at Takagi. Zayne brings Yota up, tags Taguchi, and they double whip.
“Funky Sauce” misdirects Yota to hit a BULLDOG then basement dropkick! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer and Taguchi stomps Yota. Taguchi brings Yota up, kicks low, then whips. Yota reverses but Taguchi RANAS! A little slippery, but then Zayne BLASTS Takagi off the apron! Funky Sauce takes aim, Taguchi PLANCHASÂ but flops as Yota moves! Zayne is on the apron but Takagi YANKS Zayne down! The fans rally but Takagi hauls Zayne up to whip him into railing! Yota drags Taguchi up and puts him in the ring. Takagi gets the fans fired up, then he stands Taguchi up. LIJ double whip Taguchi to then DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE!
The fans cheer and then Takagi SENTONS! Yota SPLASHES down! Cover, TWO! Taguchi stays in this but Yota tags Takagi. The fans rally and duel while Takagi stands Taguchi up. Takagi bumps Taguchi off buckles, RAMS into him again and again, then digs his shoulder in. The ref counts, Takagi steps back, and he snapmares Taguchi down. Tag to Yota and Yota drags Taguchi up. Yota snapmares Taguchi to ROCK him in the back! Taguchi falls back, Yota tags Takagi, and LIJ drags Taguchi up. They DOUBLE ATOMIC DROP! Taguchi hobbles in pain, falls to his knees, and Takagi BLASTS Zayne off the apron!
Takagi gets annoyed with this Funky Sauce, but Taguchi fires off CHOPS! Taguchi runs, but Takagi easily dodges the hip attack! Takagi then suplexes Taguchi high and hard! Cover, TWO! Taguchi survives and the fans fire up. Takagi hears the fans dueling as he stomps Taguchi. Takagi KNEES Taguchi against the ropes again and again, then whips, for another KNEE! Takagi runs, but into a SOMERSAULT HIP ATTACK! The fans fire up while both men are down! Taguchi and Takagi crawl, hot tag to Zayne! Zayne jumps in and DECKS Takagi, then he BLASTS Yota! Zayne swats a lariat to fire elbow after ELBOW!
Takagi blocks the superkick to CLUB the leg! Yota joins in, LIJ whips Zayne, but Zayne KICKS Takagi, mule kicks Yota, and runs, DOUBLE SOMERSAULT KICKS! The fans fire up and Zayne runs at Takagi. Takagi ELBOWS Zayne, BOOTS him, then goes up. Zayne returns to JUMPING STEINERS! The fans fire up while Zayne covers, TWO! Takagi stays in this but Zayne brings him right up. Zayne goes to scoop but Takagi fights it! Zayne CHOPS, scoops, and BAJA- NO, Takagi slips free! SLIDING- NO, Zayne dodges! Zayne mule kicks, runs, but into the ELBOW! JAB! YUKONÂ feint and DDT! Both men are down again and the fans fire back up!
Takagi pounds the mat, the fans rally behind him, and he crawls, hot tag to Yota! Yota fires up and the fans are with him. Yota brings Zayne around to whip, but Zayne stops himself. Zayne dodges Yota, Yota dodges Zayne, and both men kick low! Yota comes back to BOOT! The fans cheer and Yota brings Zayne up again. Yota fireman’s carries but Zayne fights free. Yota ROCKS Zayne first! Yota tries another fireman’s carry but Zayne sunset flips it! TWO, and both men stand! Zayne rolls Yota, BASEMENT ENZIGIRI! Zayne hurries to hot tag Taguchi! Taguchi HIP ATTACKS in a corner! Taguchi goes corner to corner, for another HIP ATTACK!
Taguchi keeps moving, but Yota runs up! Taguchi dropkicks Yota’s legs out! The fans fire up and Taguchi keeps going! Another dropkick to legs, then a LEG SWEEP! Taguchi rolls Yota into the OH MY GAH ANKLE!! Zayne BOOTS Takagi off the apron! Yota scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! Taguchi lets go but he brings Yota back up. Taguchi traps Yota and Zayne runs in to ELBOW! Zayne then sets up and Taguchi runs, SHOTGUN IN MOTION! Taguchi then brings Yota out to GOURD BUSTER! The fans fire up as Zayne climbs! But Yota KICKS Taguchi away, then GAMANGIRIS Zayne off the corner!
Taguchi kicks Yota, runs, but into a scoop and BACKBREAKER! Takagi slides in, and he finds the camera, “TOKI GA KITA!” The fans fire up as the time has come, and they join in on a chant of “OI! OI! OI!” LIJ whips Taguchi to a corner, then Yota runs in to ELBOW! Takagi whips Yota back in to SPLASH! Takagi adds a LARIAT, then feeds Taguchi to a BOOT! BLINDSIDE LARIAT! SUPERKICK! Taguchi is down, Yota covers, TWO! Taguchi stays in this and the fans fire up. Takagi stands Taguchi up and throws him to Yota for a POWERBOMB! Cover, Zayne breaks it! Takagi drags Zayne up, LIJ mugs him, but he fights back with CHOPS!
The fans fire up but Yota spins Zayne around to facelock, and Takagi wheelbarrows. Yota helps Takagi swing Taguchi down, then up for a BOOSTED WHEELBARROW GERMAN!! The fans fire up and Takagi leaves it to Yota. Yota takes aim and the fans rally. Taguchi rises, Yota runs in, GENE- LEG DROP!? And then La Magistrol! TWO!! Yota escapes in time, but Taguchi spins him to a backslide! TWO!! Yota escapes again! But Taguchi ENZIGIRIS! Taguchi fires up and the fans are with him! But Takagi LARIATS! GENE TRIGGER! PUMPING BOMBER!! And now Yota loads up, for the GENE BLASTER!! Cover, LIJ wins!
Winners: Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Zayne & Taguchi earn 0)
The Funky Sauce was hot, but they’re the ones that got burned! Will they be able to spice things up in the second round? Will Takagi & Tsuji keep the tag league tranquilo?
World Tag League 2024 A Block: Bishamon VS KENTA & Chase Owens!
Hirooki Goto & Yoshi-Hashi once again clash with The Fang & The Jewel, both sides hungry for gold. Will it be Lights Out in the opening round? Or will someone just #Go2Sleep?
The teams sort out but then Bullet Club just attacks! Chase is after Goto and Kenta is after Hashi, and they put each man in corners. The bell rings to get this on record as Kenta TOSSES Hashi. Chase CHOKES Goto in the corner, then stands on him! The ref reprimands and Chase lets off to bring Goto up. Chase ROCKS Goto, whips him, and Kenta POSTS Hashi! Chase hits a big hip toss then covers, TWO! The fans rally up while Chase stomps Goto’s leg. Chase scrapes his sole off Goto’s face, and Kenta whips Hashi again. Hashi reverses and Kenta hits railing in front of English commentary! Chase ROCKS Goto, CHOPS him, then whips.
Goto grabs ropes to stop, then he BOOTS Chase! Hashi returns and Bishamon DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE! Then ZENMAI! Kenta returns but Bishamon kicks him first. “Se no!” Bishamon BEATS Kenta like a drum! The fans cheer and Bishamon flexes. Goto then goes back to Chase to stomp and CLUB him down. Goto kicks Chase, Chase shoves Goto and ROCKS him with a forearm! Goto knees Chase low, runs, but Chase TOSSES Goto out! Goto hurries back up, he counter punches Chase, and then counter punches Kenta! Chase slips out to YANK Goto down and THROW him into railing! Kenta intercepts Hashi with a kick!
Kenta whips Hashi away into railing while Chase sends Goto into other railing! The ref reprimands but Chase brings Goto through the gate. Chase has fans move out of the way, but then brings Goto back to ringside. Chase grins as he trolls the fans and pushes Goto into the ring. Kenta CLUBS away on Hashi before leaving him behind. Chase pulls on Goto’s arms then TWEAKS Goto’s neck! Not a twist, but equally painful. Chase tags Kenta while the fans rally for “GO-TO-O! GO-TO-O!” Kenta pushes Goto into the corner, Goto hits Chase, but Kenta RAMS Goto! The ref reprimands and counts as Kenta RAMS Goto more!
Kenta sits Goto down, and digs his boot in! The ref counts, Kenta stops at 4, and he tags Chase back in. They stomp Goto more, then Chase headlocks for a sucker punch! Cover, TWO! Chase drags Goto up and he bumps Goto off Kenta’s boot. Tag to Kenta and Bullet Club double whips. They DOUBLE ELBOW Goto down then Kenta covers, TWO! Kenta covers again, TWO! Kenta argues with the ref but the count was fair. Kenta drops an elbow, drops another elbow, then covers, TWO! Kenta gets mad at Hashi for no reason, but the fans rally up for Goto. Kenta CLUBS Goto, but Goto fires CHOPS in return!
Kenta knees low, whips Goto to a corner, but Goto reverses. Goto runs up but into a BOOT! Kenta runs but Goto follows! Goto avoids Chase’s cheap shot to LARIAT Kenta! The fans fire up while Goto and Kenta are down! Goto crawls, hot tag to Hashi! The fans fire up as Hahsi BLASTS Chase! Kenta kicks Hashi low then whips him to a corner. Kenta runs up but Hashi CHOPS in return! And mule kicks! And turns Kenta for a NECKBREAKER! The fans fire up and Hashi watches Kenta. Hashi waits on Kenta to rise, then runs up to CHOP! Hashi hoists Kenta up to hang him out to dry! The fans fire up as Hashi runs, and he DROPKCISK Kenta down! Cover, TWO!
The fans cheer Hashi on as he brings Kenta up. Hashi reels Kenta in, lifts, but Kenta fights with fists! Kenta slips free of the bomb, then slips around Hashi to spin and- NO, Hashi suplexes first! But Kenta slips free again, and he spins Hashi around, to SPIKE DDT! Hashi is stood up on his head before falling over, and Kenta tags in Chase. Chase brings Hashi up and fireman’s carries. Hashi fights free of that, but Chase slips around to half nelson, lift, and SWINGING FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Hashi survives but Chase says time to end this! Chase takes aim, C- NO, Hashi dodges the trigger! Chase knees low, runs, but Hashi dropkicks the legs!
The fans fire up whiel both men are down! Chase clutches his leg while Hashi crawls. Hot tag to Goto! Goto runs at Chase to LARIAT in the corner! Goto whips corner to corner, runs up again, but Chase BOOTS him! But Goto comes back! Only for Chase to BUCKLE SHOT and STO, then SENTON! Kenta steps in and Bullet Club drags Goto up. But Goto fires forearms and CHOPS! Kenta SOBATS! Chase KICKS! Kenta ROUNDHOUSES! Goto sits up into the “I HATE YOU!” PENALTY KICK! Cover, but Hashi breaks it! Kenta TOSSES Hashi then goes out after him. Chase drags Goto up and reels him in.
Chase tucks the arms but Goto fights the lift! Goto wrenches out but Chase ROCKS him first! Chase runs, Goto follows, but Chase ENZIGIRIS! Goto stays up, but the C-TRIGGER hits! Cover, TWO!! Goto survives but Chase hurries up! C-TRIGGER POINT BLANK!! And then the tuck for the PACKAGE PILE- NO, Hashi hits a BLOCKBUSTER! The fans fire up, Kenta BOOTS Hashi! Goto fireman’s carries Kenta but Kenta slips free! Kenta shoves Goto into Hashi, then waistlocks Goto. Goto fights the lift, and then ducks, HIDDEN GAP SUPERKICK for Kenta! The fans fire up as Bishamon regroups.
Hashi drags Chase up, whips him to Goto, but Chase BOOTS Goto! Chase swings on Hashi but Hashi ducks the lariat. Hashi powers Chase to ropes, Goto BLINDSIDE LARIATS, and then Hashi rolls Chase. Goto drags Chase up, Hashi has the legs! Chase BOOTS Hashi away! Chase then slips around to dragon sleeper, to steal G T- NO, Goto drops down to victory roll! Chase stands up, into a SUPERKICK! Goto drags Chase around while Hashi BLASTS Kenta! Dragon sleeper and SHOTO!! Cover, Bishamon wins!!
Winners: Bishamon, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Kenta & Chase earn 0)
Another classic in this storied rivalry, worthy of the titles themselves! Will this first win be the win that leads the Fierce Warrior & Headhunter back to the titles? Can Kenta & Chase borrow a page from Bishamon and #GetBackUp in the next round?
World Tag League 2024 A Block: Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa VS Gabe Kidd & SANADA!
TMDK has a team in each block, doubling their chances of taking this league. But perhaps burying the lead is the fact that THE IWGP World Heavyweight Champion is joining in the fun! Will The Front Man & The Mullet rock this league right from the start? Or will the Mad Man and the turncoat Cold Skull get this tournament #WarReady?
The teams sort out but Oiwa gets in Gabe’s face. Gabe pushes Oiwa, they start, and they tie up at the bell. The fans rally as Oiwa and Gabe are in a deadlock. They go around at center, then Oiwa digs his heels in to push Gabe back. Gabe turns things around to put Oiwa on ropes, but Red Shoes calls the break. Gable lets off, to then CHOP! Gabe scoops and SLAMS Oiwa, then he goes for legs. Oiwa UPKICKS Gabe, then stands up to scoop and SLAM Gabe! Gabe UPKICKS back, both men get up and go face to face. Then they go forearm for forearm! The fans rally as Oiwa gets the edge, but Gabe CHOPS!
Gabe headlocks. Oiwa powers up and out, and they RAM shoulders! Gabe eggs OIwa on and he runs to RAM Gabe! They both run now, and they RAM shoulders again, and again, and again! Gabe CHOPS then runs, but Oiwa CLOBBERS Gabe! The fans fire up while Gabe bails out. Oiwa eggs Gabe on and Gabe snarls. Gabe shakes the railing in frustration, then he paces around the outside. Gabe cools off, slides in, but then tags Sanada. Sanada steps in slowly, so Oiwa tags in ZSJ. The two rivals circle and the afns rally behind “ZAKKU! ZAKKU!” ZSJ and Sanada feel things out, knuclke lock, and ZSJ rolls to wrench.
Sanada is already frustrated so he kicks ZSJ low! Sanada TOSSES ZSJ out and then Gabe goes after Oiwa! Gabe CHOPS away on Oiwa while Sanada sends ZSJ into railing! And then more railing! Gabe does the same to Oiwa, and Sanada storms up on ZSJ. Sanada CLAWS ZSJ’s back, a definite attitude change showing. Gabe Too Sweets with Taiji Ishimori on commentary while Sanada pushes ZSJ into the ring. Sanada whips ZSJ to a corner, but ZSJ goes up, under, around, and RAMS into Sanada! ZSJ snapmares, Sanada handsprings through, but ZSJ UPPERCUTS him down! Tag to Oiwa and he BLASTS Gabe!
Oiwa goes back to Sanada and stands him up. Oiwa wrenches an arm, YANKS it, then wrenches to YANK it again. Oiwa tags ZSJ and ZSJ brings Sanada around to wrench, step over, and wrangle into a mounted armbar! Sanada endures as ZSJ bends the fingers and isolates the arm, to STOMP it! The fans cheer, ZSJ tags Oiwa, and Oiwa CLUBS Sanada’s arm. Oiwa headlocks for a takeover, then isolates the arm in an short arm scissor! The fans rally while Sanada endures and kicks around. Sanada reaches out, ROPEBREAK! Red Shoes calls it, Oiwa lets Sanada go, but then Oiwa brings Sanada up.
Oiwa whips, Sanada reverses, and Gabe trips Oiwa up! Sanda BLASTS ZSJ while Oiwa drags Oiwa out of the ring! Now things spill out into the crowd! Gabe CHOPS Oiwa, then SMACKS him off empty chairs! Sanada BOWLS ZSJ into chairs! Not quite a strike, so Sanada JAMS ZSJ up with a chair! That picks up the spare, and we can hear Gabe’s CHOPS on Oiwa echo out. Gabe stomps Oiwa while Sanada CHOKES ZSJ with a chair! Red Shoes reprimands the War Dogs, but Gabe POSTS Oiwa! Gabe says War Dogs run this, but Red Shoes starts a ring count. Gabe flexes on Oiwa, then drags him up at 7 of 20.
Gabe puts Oiwa in at 10 and Sanada covers, TWO! Oiwa stays in this and the fans rally behind him. Sanada is annoyed but he brings Oiwa up. Sanada CLUBS Oiwa, then bumps him off Gabe’s boot. Oiwa sputters while Sanada tags Gabe in. Gabe drags Oiwa up, mockingly asks where Zack-senpai went, then he UPPERCUTS Oiwa down. Gabe TOSSES Oiwa out, and he BLASTS ZSJ off the apron! Sanada whips Oiwa into railing! Gabe lifts ZSJ bu tZSJ wrenches free to KIMURA! Gabe powers through, to BITE ZSJ on the forehead! Sanada sends Oiwa into more railing, Gabe sends ZSJ through railing and into chairs!
Sanada BOWLS Oiwa into chairs now, there is the strike! Sanada continues to show his new edge as he JAMS Oiwa up with a chair. Red Shoes reprimands so Sanada brings Oiwa back to ringside. Sanada puts Oiwa in for Gabe and Gabe pushes Oiwa to a cover. Red Shoes says no, all the shenanigans were not right. Gabe gets in Red Shoes’ face about that, but Red Shoes stands his ground. Gabe storms around while the fans rally behind Oiwa. Gabe drags Oiwa up, to CHOP! Oiwa wobbles but he rises up. Oiwa CHOPS, and CHOPS, and fires forearms! Gabe DECKS Oiwa with just one! The fans still rally for Oiwa but Gabe stands on Oiwa’s face!
Gabe soaks up the heat, scuffs Oiwa and stomps him around. Oiwa sits up, Gabe runs, but Oiwa reels him in! Gabe fights the waistlock, runs, but into a SNAP GERMAN! The fans fire up while both men are down! Oiwa and Gabe crawl, hot tags to ZSJ and Sanada! The fans fire up as ZSJ dodges Sanada, full nelsons, then spins him to a headlock. Sanada powers out but ZSJ catches him to a COBRA TWIST! Sanada powers out to HIP TOSS, but ZJS UP KICKS! Sanada avoids the Penalty Kick, blocks the boot, but ZSJ steps through the dragon screw to NECK TWIST! And basment DROPKICK! The fans fire up and we’ve only hit 10 minutes!
ZSJ drags Sanada up, UPPERCUTS him, then UPPERCUTS again! Sanada blocks the next to spin and suplex, but ZSJ says no to the Magic Screw! NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO! Sanada escapes but ZSJ stays focused. ZSJ stands Sanada up to scoop, but Sanada slips free. ZSJ fights the waistlock, runs, but into a dropkick to the legs! Sanada then DROPKICKS ZSJ down! Sanada fireman’s carries but ZSJ slips free, to have the IRON OCTOPUS! The fans rally while Sanada endures, and Sanada powers out to have a leg! DROPPING DRAGON SCREW! ZSJ clutches the leg and Sanada takes aim! SHINING-
NO, ZSJ ducks, but Sanada catches him to a backslide! ZSJ rolls through to NECK TWIST! Tag to Oiwa and Oiwa BLASTS Gabe off the apron! Oiwa goes back to Sanada and brings him up. Oiwa whips Sanada to ropes, ELBOWS Him down, then ZSJ PENALTY KICKS Sanada! Oiwa deadlift GUT RWENCH PLEXES! Cover, Gabe breaks it! Gabe CHOPS away on ZSJ and Oiwa, but ZSJ blocks! Oiwa DOUBLE CHOPS! ZSJ UPPERCUTS! ZSJ & Oiwa DOUBLE DROPKICK Gabe down! The fans fire up with Oiwa and he clamps onto Sanada with a SLEEPER! Sanada endures and fights up, but Oiwa thrashes him around!
Sanada still fights to his feet, slips around the back, and shoves Oiwa to ropes. Gabe trips Oiwa up! Oiwa kicks at Gabe but Sanada kicks ropes to jam Oiwa up! Sanada suplexes Oiwa into the MAGIC SCREW! Both men are down but the fans rally up again. Sanada crawls over, tag to Gabe, and Gabe storms right up on Oiwa. Gabe UPPERCUTS Oiwa right down! Gabe then puts Oiwa in a corner to fire off forearm after forearm! Red Shoes reprimands and counts, but Gabe digs his boots in while talking trash. Gabe shoves Red Shoes aside so he can keep stomping away on Oiwa! The fans rally and Red Shoes backs Gabe off.
Gabe seethes but the fans continue to rally for Oiwa. Oiwa grits his teeth as he sits up, but Gabe ROCKS him with another shot! Oiwa still looks up defiantly at Gabe, so Gabe fires shots! Gabe says Oiwa’s not worthy of being his NJPW Strong Openweight Challenger. Gabe says Oiwa’s just some “weak ass kohai!” Gabe SPITS on Oiwa, but Oiwa gets in Gabe’s face! Gabe fires slapping strikes, blocks a shot, then SLAPS Oiwa again! Oiwa spins to DOUBLE CHOP Gsbe down! Sanada runs up and kicks low! Sanada whips, Oiwa reverses, but Sanada reverses back, RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! ZSJ PENALTY KICKS Sanada!
Gabe runs up, ZSJ BOOTS him first! Gabe runs back in, slips out of the scoop, and he scoops ZSJ for EMERALD FLOWSON!! But Oiwa spins Gabe! Gabe avoids The Grip, runs, but into a LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!! Oiwa is frustrated but the fans rally behind him. Oiwa hauls Gabe up, ANACONDA PLEX!! Cover, TWO!! Gabe survives again but Oiwa roars! Oiwa drags Gabe up, reels him in, but Gabe fights the gut wrench! Gabe CLUBS Oiwa on the back, then he gut wrenches! Oiwa fights back, wrenches out, and he blocks a lariat to spin. Gabe HAYMAKERS, and SAIDOS!! Gabe crawls his way to the cover, TWO!!
The fans are thunderous as Oiwa survives! Gabe snarls and he drags Oiwa up. Gabe says this is the end. But Oiwa fights the suplex! Oiwa suplexes, but Gabe fights it! Oiwa still tries, but Gabe slips out to waistlock. Sanada DROPKCIKS Oiwa, Gabe UPPERCUTS! Gabe & Sanada work together to DOUBLE SUPLEX! Gabe suplexes again, BRAINBUSTER!! Cover, ZSJ BREAKS IT! Sanada TOSSES ZSJ out and tells Gabe to finish this! ZSJ RAMS Sanada, they brawl outside, and Gabe slashes his throat. Gabe drags Oiwa up, reels him in, but Oia slips through the gut wrench to backslide! TWO, and Gabe UPPERCUTS!
Gabe runs, but ZSJ is back! He BOOTS Gabe but Gabe SLAPS ZSJ! ZSJ KICKS the haymaker away to then ROUNDHOUSE Gabe! Sanada’s in to dragon sleeper! ZSJ arm-drags free, but Sanada comes back to SHINING WIZARD! Sanada then drags ZSJ up, but ZSJ scoops first! ZACK DRIVER!! ZSJ and Sanada flop out of the ring, leaving Oiwa and Gabe to rise up. They run at each other, to DOUBLE LARIAT! neither man falls, they DOUBLE LARIAT again! Gabe UPPERCUTS! Oiwa PALM STRIKES! Gabe PALM STRIKES, CHOPS, JABS, rebounds, into a roll-up! Hig stack, TMDK WINS!!
Winners: Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa, by pinfall
Gabe is in shock! He gets right in Red Shoes’ face but Red Shoes says it was a fair count! Gabe then goes after Oiwa to CLOBBER him! The fans boo and Young Lions rush in, but Gabe eggs Oiwa on! So Oiwa obliges and they brawl among the fans! The Young Lions rush in to separate the two, but Gabe gets loose to CLOBBER Oiwa! They scrap, ZSJ joins in, and he pulls the two apart. Gabe kicks a chair in frustration, then goes into retreat. Wait, Oiwa chases Gabe to the ramp and beats him down! Young Lions again scramble in to stop this, but it just heads to the back! Sanada shrugs it off, will the #ColdWarDogs just have to try harder in the next round?
As for the winners, well, they’re no longer ringside so there won’t be any in-ring closing words. Backstage interviews begin, Gabe promises Oiwa will be put in the ground! Will the Mad Man show The Mullet what it takes to be NJPW Strong? As for ZSJ, he gathers himself, and tells NJPW Media that he doesn’t know where The Mullet went. Actually, no, he has an idea: The Mullet must be smashing the s*it outta Gabe. “Roy The Mullet” is the next NJPW Strong Openweight Champion! Oiwa will hit Gabe so hard, his legs will turn into trombones! As for ZSJ, there is something rare happening in this year’s WTL, isn’t it?
Yes, it’s that the IWGP World EFFIN’ Heavyweight Champion is involved, as this should be! The first time the world champion’s been in this tournament in roughly a decade! ZSJ said he was gonna be a different kind of world champion for NJPW, and that he promises to take NJPW back to the top! Now obviously, a conflict of interests, as this tournament is Shane Haste’s & Mikey Nicholls’ to win, but ZSJ won’t give the boys an easy ride. ZSJ is dreaming~ of an all TMDK World Tag League finals! Then who knows, maybe Zack & Roy get the job done.
But ZSJ knows the Tokyo Dome is coming soon. And Shota Umino wants to be ZSJ’s challenger. ZSJ says he will be keeping his eyes wide open for Shota. ZSJ says he’ll have a DOUBLE main event in the Tokyo Dome, it’s in the bag. What about you, Shota? The Front Man heads out, having put the pressure on his challenger, but will all of NJPW soon belong to TMDK?
Here are the A Block standings!
Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa: 1-0, 2 points
Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman: 1-0, 2 points
Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji: 1-0, 2 points
Bishamon: 1-0, 2 points
Gabe Kidd & Sanada: 0-1, 0 points
Kenta & Chase Owens: 0-1, 0 points
Alex Zayne & Ryusuke Taguchi: 0-1, 0 points
Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma: 0-1, 0 points
My Thoughts:
A great start to World Tag League 2024, with just A Block opening things tonight. I will say those tune-up matches were interesting. Even though David Finlay is the Global Champion, it’s Taiji Ishimori that has apparently become Bullet Club’s international ambassador. Taiji brought Robbie X into the group, now he teamed with The Filip Brothers, Tome & Stevie, who knows who else Bone Soldier will recruit. Taiji’s team beating Tanahashi’s team, House of Torture cheating and beating Tanahashi’s friends, this is all putting the pressure on The Ace, meaning The Ace will win out at WrestleKingdom 19.
Shota Umino teaming with Tomoaki Honma, I wonder if this is to hold Shota back somehow. He is apparently still heading for WrestleKingdom and a world title match with ZSJ, so it’s not like Shota needs to win WTL, but I guess NJPW just wants Shota to give the fans a good time alongside a fan favorite like Honma. Also, Callum & Cobb have a fun new shirt for their team-up. I figured Zayne would need to improvise now that #MonsterSauce is no longer happening, and Taguchi was a great surprise choice. But #FunkySauce making its debut against a team as strong as Takagi & Tsuji was a shame because of course LIJ was winning that. Maybe Zayne & Taguchi can pull off a spoiler victory later on, but I don’t see Funky Sauce going that strong.
Bishamon VS Kenta & Chase really was an awesome match, and it is so surprising how Chase has grown in just the past couple years. Great win for Goto & Hashi, though, as they’re clearly the solid utility choices in the tag division. And what an awesome main event, with Sanada bringing out the most Heel stuff he’s done perhaps ever. A bit jarring really, but that’s just kinda old fashioned Heel turns for ya. Great win for TMDK, though, and definitely an unorthodox way of closing by having Oiwa and Gabe brawl all over ringside and into the back.
While ZSJ says it is big for the world champ to be in this tournament, which I do agree with on some level, it also makes some of the A Block action seem secondary. Gabe and Oiwa having their grudge was kinda the main motivator behind this match, and then it’ll be similar when Shota & Honma VS ZSJ & Oiwa happens. There is the added drama of, “What if someone pins ZSJ? Will they get a world title match before WK19?” Maybe Shota solidifies his WK title match by being the one that pins ZSJ in their match, but it all just feels like more flash than substance. No one else is going to pin ZSJ, Oiwa probably takes whatever losses their team will take, so A Block’s story suffers for it.
My Score: 8.9/10
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Mitchell’s Hyrule Puro-Resu Results & Report! (10/31/24)
IT'S TIME!
Hockey Talk- Jet Setters [102924]
Hockey Talk looks at the red-hot start to the season of the Winnipeg Jets and discusses how the defending champion...
Mitchell’s AEW Dynamite Results & Report! (11/20/24)
Dynamite is Freshly Squeezed!
Greg DeMarco Show: Looks That Kill
Patrick O'Dowd went to Arizona and he and Greg had themselves an extended weekend with IZW Looks That Kill!
Mitchell’s NJPW World Tag League Results & Report! (11/19/24)
It's Tag Season again!
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (11/19/24)
There's a lot on the line tonight!
Classic POD is WAR: What Is Thank You Alex Trebek? (111220)
The Chairshot, brings you THE podcast that will absolutely have you questioning everything you thought you knew about professional wrestling,...
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (11/18/24)
It's a BIG night!
#TheOddity 018: That’s Alot Of Chalamets
Join Dave Wortz and PC Tunney for your weekly newsletter on the ridiculous and dumb of actual headlines from around...
Mitchell’s AEW Collision Results & Report! (11/16/24)
Championship or Bust!
Mindless Wrestling Podcast: Posthumously? Really??
Smash or Trash is back this week as the guys are talking beverages! Plus, some thoughts on the Mike Tyson/Jake...
Mitchell’s AEW Rampage Results & Report! (11/15/24)
Ricochet is on a Rampage!
