Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW WrestleKingdom 16 Results & Report! (1/4/22)
WrestleKingdom 16, Night One!

NJPW goes even bigger in 2022!
NJPW goes even bigger in 2022 as WrestleKingdom 16 will be THREE nights total! But will Kazuchika Okada make it REIGN once again?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- 2022 New Japan Ranbo: Chase Owens, CIMA, Minoru Suzuki & Toru Yano advance to the KOPW 2022 Fatal 4 Way tomorrow.
- YOH VS SHO; Yoh wins.
- Six Man Tag: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Rocky Romero & Ryusuke Taguchi VS KENTA, Taiji Ishimori & El Phantasmo; Kenta, Ishimori & ELP win, by disqualification.
- Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS The United Empire; wins.
Catch Wrestling RulesPro-Wrestling Rules: Katsuyori Shibata VS Ren Narita; Shibata wins.- NEVER Openweight Championship: Tomohiro Ishii VS EVIL w/ Dick Togo; Evil wins and becomes the new NEVER Openweight Champion.
- IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: The Dangerous Tekkers VS Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI; Goto & Hashi win and become the new IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions.
- IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: El Desperado VS Hiromu Takahashi; Desperado wins and retains the title.
- IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Shingo Takagi VS Kazuchika Okada; Okada wins and will defend the title against Will Ospreay tomorrow.
PLAY BY PLAY
2022 New Japan Ranbo!
Another year, another chance at the KOPW trophy! Toru Yano has already retained this prize two years running, will he be one of the final four going into tomorrow night? Or will the New Year wipe the slate clean?
First out is Bullet Club’s Crown Jewel and NWA Texas Heavyweight Champion, Chase Owens! Out second is the United Empire’s Ultimate Weapon, Aaron Henare! The bell rings and these two go right after each other with forearms! Henare then fires off KICKS, runs but dodges the Shi Trigger to fire off knees! Henare whips but Chase reverses, then BOOTS Henare, only for Henare to run him over with a shoulder! Fans cheer and Henare runs in, but into a BUCKLE SHOT! Chase hurries to stomp Henare at the ropes and even digs his knee in. The ref counts the ropebreak, Chase lets off, and here comes the countdown!
Chase stomps Henare in a corner as we see number three is… Young Lion, Kosei Fujita! Could this be his chance to hit the big time? Kosei runs down the ramp and slides in, dodges Chase and fires off forearms! Chase knees low, runs, but Kosei dropkicks Chase down! Fans fire up for the Young Lion as he fires forearms on Chase. Kosei runs, Chase reels him in for a BACKBREAKER! Kosei writhes to a corner and flops out under the bottom rope, he’s safe. But Henare goes after Chase and tries to throw him over and out! Chase holds onto the ropes, throws body shots through the ropes and gets back in. Henare stomps Chase as the countdown returns!
Henare springboards and stomps Chase down, and number four is… Yuto Nakashima! Another Young Lion enters the match at high speed! Yuto CLUBS Henare and fires off forearms! Yuto fires up, runs, ducks and dodges to CLOBBER Henare! Yuta gets Henare up for forearm after forearm, but Henare hits a heavy body blow! Henare keeps on with the body shots and fast hands! The ref counts as he has Yuto in the corner, and Henare stops at 4. Chase sees Kosei sliding back in and is right on him with fists! Henare snapmares Yuto then KICKS him in the back! The countdown is back already and number five is… Ryohei Oiwa! A third Young Lion!
Ryohei runs into the ring, blocks Chase’s kick and throws him down, to then deadlift gut wrench suplex! Fans fire up as Ryohei dropkicks Henare down! Ryohei gets a leg, drags Henare around, but Henare kicks free, and Chase BOOTS Ryohei down! Chase stomps the Young Lions, as does Henare. Fans rally and here comes the countdown! Number six is… Master Wato! The Way of the Grandmaster makes his way down the ramp while the Young Lions start fighting back on Henare and Chase. Henare wraps Ryohei’s arm around ropes while Chase grinds Yuto down. Wato gets in to hit Chase, then kick Henare!
Wato CLUBS Henare, Chase CLUBS Wato. Chase CHOPS, whips, but Wato reverses to hurdle, back elbow, uppercut and SOBAT! Fans fire up and Wato blocks Henare’s kick to give kicks, sobat and SUPERKICK! Chase blocks Wato’s kick for a SHIN BREAKER! And a leg YANK! The countdown is back, and number seven is… Hiroyoshi Tenzan! Chase chokes Wato but the Young Lions go after Henare! Tenzan makes his way down as Henare BOOTS down Ryohei and Chase dropkicks Yuto! Henare fires off kicks in the corner, but lets off as the ref counts. Chase JABS Wato, Tenzan finally arrives and he CLUBS Chase!
Tenzan headbutts Chase down, then fires off Mongolian Chops! Wato goes after Henare and throws elbows in the corner. Chase runs Tenzan over but the countdown is here! Number eight is… Minoru Suzuki! Chase stomps Tenzan while Henare and Wato have dueling HEEL HOOKS! They’re both in the ropes but Henare moves around. Tenzan stomps Chase at the ropes, a Young Lion helps Wato with Henare. Tenzan headbutts Yuto and brawls with Kosei. Wato snapmares Henare for an elbow drop! One of the Young Lions covers Henare, TWO! Suzuki approaches and Chase eggs him on! “KAZE NI NARE!” and Chase runs away, only to get caught by Tenzan!
A Young Lion gets in Suzuki’s way and gets driven down for a HEEL HOOK! Ryohei taps, Suzuki ELIMINATES a Young Lion! Then Suzuki catches Kosei into a KIMURA! Kosei taps, Suzuki ELIMINATES another Young Lion! The countdown returns while Wato grinds Henare down and Yuto goes after Suzuki with forearms! Number nine is… Satoshi Kojima! Suzuki DECKS Yuto then drags him up for a SLEEPER! The Young Lion is OUT, Suzuki ELIMINATES Fujita! Tenzan brawls with Suzuki now, Henare hits Wato back, Kojima gets in to help Tenzan! TenCozy goes after Suzuki but he goes after them!
Suzuki gets pinballed between forearms and Mongolian Chops! Kojima Mongolian Chops, then TenCozy double whip to double shoulder tackle Suzuki! Kojima stomps Suzuki around, the countdown is back, and number ten is… Taka Michinoku! The Blue Playmaker is here, but Suzuki is getting mugged by TenCozy! They dig their boots in, but Taka goes after them with kicks! But then Kojima throws a forearm, so Taka pokes him in the eye! Tenzan Mongolian Chops Taka, but Taka CALF KICKS! Taka runs, into the TENCOZY CUTTER! Suzuki stomps Tenzan, clamps on a chinlock, but Kojima gets Suzuki for a headlock!
The countdown is back and number eleven is… CIMA! What a huge moment for Strong Hearts that the #GleatCima is here! Cima decides to go up top right away, and he METEORAS Taka! Cover, Cima ELIMINATES Taka! Wato goes after Cima, Suzuki whips Kojima and runs in to BOOT him! Tenzan digs his boots into Chase while Suzuki PENALTY KICKS Kojima! Suzuki covers, TWO! Wato has Cima in the corner but Cima turns it around to CHOP Wato! Suzuki tortures Kojima’s arm, all the way to the fingers! The countdown is back and number twelve is… Tomoaki Honma! Everyone’s Kokeshi is ready!
Kojima gets a ropebreak but Suzuki just stomps him down. Tenzan CHOPS Henare in the corner again and again, Chase hobbles to a corner, Cima goes after Wato with a forearm but Wato whips. Cima reverses, hurdles, Wato leaps over, Wato dodges and RANAS Cima to ropes! Wato kicks and whips, Cima reverses again to kick and run. Wato back elbows, runs, but Cima dropkicks Wato at the ropes! Cima runs but then fakes Wato out and dumps him over the top rope! Wato crashes down, Cima ELIMINATES Wato! Honma and Cima brawl, Wato CHOPS away at the ropes! Cima whips, Honma reverses and CLOBBERS CIma with an elbow!
Honma runs, KOKESHI! Cover, ROPEBREAK! The countdown is back and lucky thirteen is… Douki! Japones del Mal is here to reinforce Suzuki! Honma stomps Cima in the corner, Kojima stomps Henare in another corner. Honma CLUBS Suzuki, he and Cima go after Suzuki together. Chase hobbles out under the bottom rope while Henare holds on to ropes as Kojima dumps him over! Douki gets in the ring to KICK Honma! Suzuki-Gun mugs Honma, Tenzan Mongolian Chops Cima down! Honma ROCKS Douki, but Douki dodges to HELL STAB! Suzuki catches Chase getting back in and wraps his arm around ropes!
Kojima bumps Henare off buckles as the countdown returns. Number fourteen is… Yuji Nagata! Blue Justice is here, and now #ThirdGen is at full force! Honma dumps Cima over the top but Cima is safe on the apron! Suzuki waits on his eternal rival, and Nagata gets in to fire off forearms! They go back and forth, Suzuki throws a body shot then a haymaker! Nagata hits back, bumps Suzuki off buckles, Chase tries to scrape Douki off the apron, then he uses a cravat to choke Cima. Suzuki turns things around on Nagata as the countdown returns. Number fifteen is… Yoshinobu Kanemaru! The Heel Master came close, will he get back to the KOPW in 2022?
Henare holds on using a foot on the bottom rope! Cima tries to dump Honma out but Honma lands safe on the apron. Suzuki and Nagata continue to brawl, Kanemaru goes fright after Tenzan! Tenzan headbutts and Mongolian Chops in return, but runs into WHISKEY MIST! Roll up, with help from Douki! Douki & Kanemaru ELIMINATE Tenzan! Nagata and Kojima go after them for that, double suplex for Kanemaru! The countdown is back, and sweet sixteen is… Togi Makabe! The Rampaging King Kong is coming to reinforce Great Bash Heels! Kojima fires off MACHINE GUN CHOPS on Kanemaru, then adds Chase to it!
Kojima throws Chase down, and reloads to MACHINE GUN CHOP Kanemaru! Suzuki has Cima down and tortures his fingers, but Cima grabs at Suzuki’s face! Kojima finishes up chopping Kanemaru to whip him into the corner. Kojima hits a forearm smash and throws Kanemaru down while Honma goes after Suzuki. Nagata turns on Kojima with a SAIDO! Bridging cover, and Suzuki-Gun helps out! They all ELIMINATE Kojima! Technically every man for himself, or rather that tag teams and factions don’t matter. Makabe gets in and he chokes Henare! The ref counts and Makabe lets off while Honma goes after Suzuki.
Honma gets Suzuki up on the top rope and Cima helps out! The countdown is back and number seventeen is… Bad Luck Fale! Chase Owens has survived this long and now he has an ally! Suzuki fights off Cima and Honma, and he pulls on Honma’s arm! Kanemaru digs his boots into Chase while Douki and Nagata brawl. Makabe sees Fale coming and eggs him on. Fale gets in, Suzuki-Gun goes after him first! Fale blocks the double whip, and he SMACKS Douki and Kanemaru together! Fale TOSSES Douki and ELIMINATES him! Fale TOSSES Kanemaru and ELIMINATES him! Fale TOSSES Honma and ELIMINATES him! THREE eliminations in a row!!
Nagata goes after Fale but Fale fireman’s carries him, only for Nagata to get a SLEEPER! But Fale fights free and CLOBBERS Nagata to ELIMINATE him!! A fourth elimination already! The countdown returns and number eighteen is… Tatsumi Fujinami! The legendary Dragon, inventor of the dragon sleeper, dragon screw and dragon suplex, is here! Fale throws Suzuki over the ropes but Suzuki holds on! Fale goes after Makabe, Cima is after Henare, and Chase is after Suzuki, but now the IMMORTAL Dragon gets in the ring! Fale is ready, but his kick is blocked! DRAGON SCREW! Makabe runs to clothesline Fale out and ELIMINATE him!
Chase CLUBS Makabe down, Fujinami blocks Henare’s kick, for a DRAGON SCREW! Cima goes after Makabe with Chase and they double whip, but Makabe breaks the clothesline to DOUBLE LARIAT them back! But then Suzuki CLOBBERS Makabe! The countdown is back and number nineteen is… Toru Yano! The man to beat is finally here! Suzuki kicks at Fujinami, but he also gets a DRAGON SCREW! Makabe stands off with the legend, and they shake hands, but Makabe’s kick is still caught! DRAGON SCREW! Fujinami gave everyone a Dragon Screw, and he puts Makabe in a FIGURE FOUR! Makabe endures, but Fujinami keeps him caught!
Henare sees Yano get in the ring, and rushes right over! But Yano holds the ropes down and dumps Henare out to ELIMINATE him! Henare can’t believe it! Meanwhile, Yano helps Chase and Cima cover Fujinami and Makabe while they’re still in the leg lock! They ELIMINATE Makabe and Fujinami at the same time!! The Dragon can’t believe it, but he’s out! And then Yano does a head count, we’re at the final four!!
Winners: Chase Owens, CIMA, Minoru Suzuki & Toru Yano (qualify for the KOPW 2022 match)
Yano celebrates but Chase ROCKS Yano, Cima ENZIGURIS, and Suzuki wraps on the SLEEPER! Then they give Yano stomps! They all get their piece of Yano, but this is far from over! Will Yano survive such a fierce field to again be Mr. KOPW? Or is the new year bringing change with it already?
YOH VS SHO!
Direct Drive broke the Murder Machine in the Best of the Super Juniors, but then Sho went after Yoh during the finals! And even then, the NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships are on the line tomorrow night! Who takes the next win in this RPG3K fallout?
Sho tries to go after Yoh before the bell, but Yoh is ready and he knocks Sho down first! Now the bell rings, Sho bails out and Yoh builds speed to FLY! Direct hit at the ramp and fans fire up with Yoh! Fans rally as Yoh drags Sho up by his hair and brings him to the ramp. Sho shouts for mercy but Yoh throws knees, then reels him in to underhook the arms! Sho fights free and runs away down the ramp. Sho kicks a Young Lion and shoves him at Yoh! Sho then drags Yoh up, scoops and SLAMS him on the ramp! Sho mocks Yoh’s pain, then stomps him before going back to the Young Lion. Sho beats him up, then brings him around to scoop and SLAM onto Yoh!
Sho talks trash, goes back to the ring, and lets the ring count handle this. Fans rally up for Yoh but Sho tells them to stop while he plugs his ears. Yoh writhes, crawls for the ring, and gets in at 15 of 20! Sho stomps away on Yoh and kicks him back out! Sho gets the fans to rally up and he builds speed, to then just hop out and whip Yoh into railing! Yoh flops off the railing and Sho puts him back in the ring to cover. TWO, and Sho is annoyed but fans are cheering. Sho tries to tune them out again and he stomps Yoh to a corner. Sho digs his boots in, the ref counts and Sho stops at 4. Fans still rally for Yoh as Sho stands on Yoh’s head.
Sho taunts Yoh, Yoh fights his way up, but Sho rakes Yoh’s eyes! The ref counts, Sho stops at 4, but Yoh blocks the kick to DRAGON SCREW! Fans cheer while both men are down! Sho drags himself to a corner, Yoh gets up and runs in to back elbow! Yoh snapmares Sho to rain down forearms from all sides! Fans rally as Yoh keeps going, and then Yoh gets the arms for DANIELSON STOMPS! Sho sputters as Yoh lets off, and Yoh drags Sho up. Sho pulls a finger! The ref reprimands, Sho CLUBS the arm, but Yoh handsprings to dodge! Sho blocks the superkick to forearm! Sho whips, Yoh reverses and dropkicks Sho down!
Fans rally back up as Yoh waistlocks and GERMAN SUPLEXES! Bridging cover, TWO! Yoh fires up and fans are with him as he waits on Sho. Sho crawls, Yoh drags him up and reels him in. Yoh underhooks, Sho fights out to wrench, kick, kick and SUPER- NO! Yoh blocks the superkick, but Sho rakes eyes again! The ref counts, Sho stops, but Yoh gets around to ROCK Sho with an uppercut! Yoh runs, Sho uses the ref as a shield! Then Sho SPEARS Yoh down! Fans rally up while both men are down, and Yoh gets himself to a corner. Sho goes to the other corner, runs in corner to corner, and he clotheslines!
Sho then snapmares Yoh to return those forearms from earlier! Sho even returns the DANIELSON STOMPS! Sho gives Yoh an extra helping, then holds onto a wrist. Fans rally but Sho drags Yoh up and reels him in! But no Snakebite as Yoh jackknifes! TWO, Sho CLOBBERS Yoh! Sho is fuming now as he drags Yoh back up. Sho reels Yoh in, POWERBOMB! Sho rolls and reels Yoh back in, CROSS ARM PILEDRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Yoh survives but Sho keeps his cool. Fans rally up and Sho says this will end it! He aims his bow, drags Yoh back up and reels him back in. Double pump handle, but Yoh slips out to trip and jackknife, to the STAR GAZER CALF KILLER!!
Sho endures as Yoh pulls way back on the leg! Sho reaches out, moves around, but Yoh pulls back even more! Sho keeps crawling, Yoh throws elbows then rolls Sho away! Dick Togo appears! The Spoiler distracts the ref and he misses Sho tapping out! Yoh would’ve won if not for Dick! Yoh lets Sho go to run Dick off, but then Sho gets up to GERMAN SUPLEX! Both men are down again but fans rally back up for Yoh. Sho crawls his way over, drags Yoh back up, and Sho runs, to LARIAT Yoh down! Sho drags Yoh back up, reels him in, SNAKEBITE!! Yoh reaches, flails, kicks around, and fans rally as he endures!
Yoh gets a second wind but he can’t drag himself and Sho to the ropes! The ref checks on Yoh as he fades, but Yoh gets a third wind! Yoh fights up, moves around, ROPEBREAK! Fans fire up as Sho lets Yoh go! Dick gets on the apron again to distract the ref, and Sho sneaks his wrench out! Sho aims at Yoh, but he tells fans to hush! Yoh flounders up, but he dodges the wrench! Sho gets sent into Dick, then Yoh rolls Sho with the FIVE STAR CLUTCH! YOH WINS!
Winner: Yoh, by pinfall
Direct Drive gets the better of the Murder Machine again! Sho is furious and he stomps away on Yoh! Young Lions hurry in but Sho knocks them down! Sho gets his wrench again and decides to try again! But Sho runs into a SUPERKICK! Dick gets Sho out of there, will this momentum help Yoh and Chaos take the NEVER Six Man titles away from the House of Torture?
Six Man Tag: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Rocky Romero & Ryusuke Taguchi VS KENTA, Taiji Ishimori & El Phantasmo!
It’s a two-in-one in terms of building momentum! The Ace joins the Mega Coaches ahead of both the IWGP US Heavyweight and Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship matches! Will they trump Fang Revived & The Cutest Tag Team of NJPW? Or will Bullet Club be feeling Too Sweet going into Night Two?
Fans cheer as Tanahashi takes off the jacket and shows off the muscles. Tanahashi is definitely ready to start, but Bullet Club has him wait. The Bullet Club Low Sweets, then Kenta backs down. ELP starts against Azucar and fans rally up. They circle, tie up, and ELP headlocks. Rocky powers out, ELP runs him over and flexes. ELP runs, Rocky stays low to then hurdle. ELP leaps over, Rocky runs in and slides under to shove and follow and RANA! ELP handsprings through, but Rocky ducks the kick to roll-up! ONE, Rocky gets ELP for a backslide, TWO! ELP stomps but Rocky avoids the boot to ROCK ELP with an uppercut!
Rocky runs into the corner, ELP stops the monkey flip to put Rocky up top. Rocky boots back and hits a FLYING RANA! Fans fire up with Rocky and he tags in Taguchi. The Mega Coaches combine for a “Sliced Rocky!” Taguchi covers, TWO! Taguchi drags ELP up, gives him a point blank hip attack, then whips him to ropes. ELP holds ropes to avoid another hip attack, Taiji tags in and kicks low. Taiji whips, Taguchi reverses but Taiji goes out, slides in, goes back out and shoulders in! Taiji springboards, Taguchi gets under and gets around to waistlock. Taiji switches, Taguchi elbows out then runs, but Taiji follows. Taguchi jumps, but hip attack becomes an atomic drop!
Taiji runs, but Taguchi still hits the hip attack! Rocky gets in to intercept ELP with his own hip attack! Taguchi DECKS Kenta, fans rally up while Taiji and ELP end up in opposite corners. The Mega Coaches coordinate, Taguchi and Rocky run corner to corner, hip attack for ELP and clothesline for Taiji! Then the other way to trade! And again! Then they send Taiji and ELP at each other, only for them to reverse! The Mega Coaches dosido, stereo hip attacks for the Cutest Tag Team! Fans fire up as Taguchi goes up top and prepares his Funky Weapon! Rocky has Taiji & ELP, but Kenta gets in to CLOBBER Rocky!
Kenta aims 1000 Years of Death at Taguchi! But Tanahashi CLOBBERS Kenta from behind, and Kenta runs into the Funky Weapon! Taguchi still gets a few years of death to the groin while Kenta DECKS Tanahashi! Kenta throws Tanahashi out while Taguchi falls down! ELP stomps Rocky, Taiji goes after Taguchi, and Kenta rains down fists on Tanahashi on the outside. Kenta POSTS Tanahashi, Taiji tags ELP in and they put Taguchi up top. They put Taguchi in a Tree of Woe while Kenta uses a chair on Tanahashi! The Cutest Tag Team run corner to corner, to then go up and stand on Taguchi’s groin! The ref reprimands and counts, they hop off at 4.
Taguchi flops down again, fans rally up, but ELP drags Taguchi up to knuckle lock. ELP CHOPS, goes up and up and jumps around to show off, to then leap and CLAW Taguchi’s back! Tag to Taiji, he goes up and rallies the fans, to then do his dance moves, jump and CLAW Taguchi’s back! Taiji DECKS Rocky, Kenta gets in to CLUB Taguchi, then Kenta puts Taguchi back in the Bullet Club corner. Taiji rakes eyes, tags Kenta in, and Kenta stomps Taguchi down. Kenta KICKS Taguchi in the side, then drops an elbow on Taguchi’s back! Cover, TWO! Kenta drags Taguchi up but Taguchi throws body shots.
Kenta knees low, runs, but Taguchi follows! Only for Kenta to avoid the hip attack! Taguchi crashes down hard! Kenta DECKS Tanahashi, then he whips Taguchi into a corner. Kenta runs but into the HIP ATTACK! Both men are down and fans rally up! Hot tag to Tanahashi! Tanahashi fires off on Kenta, Kenta reverses the whip but Tanahashi hits FLYING FOREARMS! Tanahashi dropkicks ELP down, then gets Taiji’s leg for a DRAPING DRAGON SCREW! Kenta kicks but into a DRAGON SCREW! Fans fire up with Tanahashi, he runs but Kenta avoids the slingblade! Kenta shoves Tanahashi at the ref, Tanahashi stops from colliding with him!
Kenta rolls Tanahashi up, TWO, and Kenta collides with the ref! Kenta spins Tanahashi around for a DDT! The ref is down so Kenta gets his kendo stick! Kenta aims and SMACKS Tanahashi on the back! And again! Tanahashi crawls, gets up, but Kenta SMACKS him down! Kenta has ELP & Taiji get in, they drag Tanahashi up. They set him up for Kenta, but Tanahashi boots Kenta away! Tanahashi fights free, the Mega Coaches throw the Cutest Tag team out, DOUBLE PLANCHAS! Fans fire up and Tanahashi CLOBBERS Kenta with the kendo stick! And SMACKS and SMACKS and SMACKS away!
The ref returns, he stops Tanahashi from using the stick more but Tanahashi doesn’t care! He shoves the ref away and SMACKS Kenta down again! The ref calls for the bell, that’s a disqualification!
Winners: Kenta, Taiji Ishimori & El Phantasmo, by disqualification
The Ace goes after Kenta, even as Young Lions try to stop him! Even the Mega Coaches have to hold Tanahashi back! ELP & Taiji get Kenta outta there, will Tanahashi unleash all his rage in the No Disqualification match? Or can Fang Revived stay golden in the new year?
Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS The United Empire!
While Night Two will see Tetsuya Naito face Jeff Cobb and Sanada face Great-O-Khan, they and Bushi join forces to take on the full power of the United Empire! Will the Uncontrollable Charisma, Cold Skull & Black Mask make Night One tranquilo? Or will the Hawaiian Hulk, the Dominator and the returning Will Ospreay be rolling into a big Night Two?
Ospreay wants LIJ to hurry up as they all have elaborate entrance attire. Naito still does things on his time, so the Empire attacks! Cobb CLOBBERS Bushi and then fires forearms on Naito while Khan throws Sanada out. Ospreay just stays back as the bell rings to put this on record, and Cobb whips Naito, but Naito reverses. Cobb blocks the arm-drag but Naito gets an atomic drop! Naito shoves Cobb to a corner, runs in to JUMP KICK, then leg sweep and COMBIN- NO! Cobb RAMS Naito to a corner, then runs to CLOBBER Naito with a shoulder! Naito bails out but Cobb goes out after him to ROCK him with a forearm!
Cobb hoists Naito up onto his shoulder to then run and RAM him into railing! Ospreay applauds and Cobb puts Naito in the ring. Cobb covers while mocking the LIJ fist, TWO! Tag to Khan, Khan stands on Naito’s head, but fans rally up. Khan drags Naito up, but Naito pulls the ponytail! Khan knees low to Mongolian Chop! And Mongolian Chop! And Mongolian STRIKE! Cover, TWO! Naito pulls at Khan’s hair so Khan pulls Naito’s hair. The ref reprimands, Ospreay tags in! Fans fire up to see him back in action, and he brings Naito around to RAM into the corner! Tag to Cobb and Ospreay laughs as he says, “I don’t need this, I’m in the main event tomorrow.”
Cobb stomps Naito, Khan clubs Naito in the leg, and Cobb RAMS his shoulder into Naito’s back. Naito fights back with haymakers, but Cobb doesn’t budge! Cobb HEADBUTTS Naito, Ospreay applauds, and Cobb whips corner to corner. Cobb runs in, Naito avoids the back elbow to dropkick the legs out! Naito ENZIGURIS, then whips, but Cobb reverses, only for Naito to FLYING FOREARM him down! Fans rally up, Naito and Cobb crawl, but Cobb stops Naito from reaching the LIJ corner. Cobb suplexes but Naito fights out to shove. Cobb ducks but Naito kicks! Bushi sunset flips but Cobb stays up! Sanada dropkicks Cobb down, Bushi sits Cobb back up, Naito basement dropkicks!
Fans fire up but Khan gets in. The ref has him stay back, Cobb crawls over to the corner, hot tags to Khan and Sanada! Sanada rallies on Khan, arm-drags and atomic drops! Sanada trips Khan, has the legs and ties him up in Paradise! Khan is furious but the fans rally up. Sanada gets them to get louder, then he runs to dropkick Khan out of Paradise! Khan flops out of the ring, Sanada aims, PLANCHA! But Khan dodges, gets in the ring, and he hesitates. Sanada dares Khan to plancha at him! Khan decides not to, so Sanada gets in and fires off forearms. Sanada whips, Khan reverses and pulls on an ear! Then a KNEE SMASH!
Khan gets the legs, and has the throne cradle! TWO, Khan runs to BOOT Sanada down! Khan tries again, and bridges! TWO!! Khan clamps onto Sanada with a katagatami! Sanada fights up, throws elbows, but Khan knees low. Khan whips Sanada to a corner but Sanada goes up and out to springboard in and missile dropkick! Fans fire up as both men are down! Khan and Sanada crawl, hot tag to Bushi! Bushi stomps Khan, drags him up and spins Khan around for a DDT! Cover, TWO! Bushi drags Khan up, reels him in, but no Fisherman Screw as Khan wrenches for a drop sayanagi! Khan rolls, tags Ospreay in, and Ospreay waits on Bushi to rise.
Ospreay springboards, PIP PIP CHEERIO! Fans fire up and Ospreay asks if they want to see it! Ospreay drags Bushi up, underhooks, but Naito CLUBS Ospreay! Cobb runs in but Naito dropkicks the legs out! CORRIENDO- OVERHEAD Belly2Belly! Cobb turns around into Sanada’s dropkick! Sanada dodges Khan’s boot, knees and whips but Khan reverses. Sanada knees back from the corner, goes up and QUEBRADAS, but Khan gets under! Khan runs into Sanada’s fireman’s carry, then throw into a dragon sleeper! Khan drops to victory roll but Sanada rolls through to forearm and ROLLING- HITSUJIGOROSHI, MARINE!
Bushi gets in, Khan BOOTS him down! Ospreay gets back up, “Let’s do this!” Underhooks and lift, STORM- NO! Bushi slips off to ROCK Ospreay! Bushi runs, into a POP-UP POWERBOMB! High stack, TWO!! Ospreay fires up, takes aim and HIDDEN BLADE! Cover, the Empire wins!
Winners: The United Empire, by pinfall
The Commonwealth King finishes it off, and the United Empire has all the momentum! Khan taunts Sanada by standing with his back to him, and Cobb lets Naito have the ice packs. Naito taunts Cobb back by putting the pack on Cobb’s knee. Will Khan and Cobb conquer the Ungovernables? Will Ospreay be back on top as the true IWGP World Heavyweight Champion? Or will he just have to settle for having three other belts in his collection?
Catch Wrestling Rules: Katsuyori Shibata VS ???
The Wrestler is back again! But still taking baby steps, as this is only allowing submissions and grapples, no strikes. Pin, submission, disqualification, count outs, all fair game, but is Shibata ready to take on this challenge? And just who is Shibata facing? It’s the LADOJO prospect, Ren Narita! Is this Ren’s chance to prove he’s ready for the next level?
Before things being, Shibata gets a mic. “I want a rule change. I want pro-wrestling rules!!” WHAT?! Shibata asks Narita if he’s up for that, and of course he is! Then it’s official! This is a full-on pro-wrestling match now?! Is Shibata taking too big a step? Or does he know what he’s doing?
The bell rings, the two circle, and Narita give testing kicks, but so does Shibata. They approach, tie up, and fans are fired up already as Shibata waistlocks and gets Narita down for a top mount. Narita bucks but Shibata stays close with a waistlock. Narita moves around but Shibata doesn’t let him get away. This is still pretty technical stuff as Shibata powers his way back to the top mount. Shibata shoots the half then floats to a short arm scissor. Narita clasps hands then fights up. Shibata has his leg guard, he rolls Narita away and mounts again, then stomps Narita! Fans cheer as Shibata throws the first strike.
Fans rally as the two circle and tie up with collar ‘n’ elbow. They end up on ropes, the ref calls for the ropebreak, and Shibata lets off. Narita turns it around, then CHOPS Shibata! Fans cheer as Shibata takes his first strike! They go again, Narita headlocks and holds on as Shibata tries to power out. Shibata powers out the second time to then get the headlock on Narita. Narita powers out, Shibata holds ropes and drops down to get the headlock. Fans cheer, Narita fights up, but Shibata hits a headlock takeover. Narita headscissors, but Shibata moves around to pop free and kick! Narita gets under and fans cheer how close that came!
Narita and Shibata reset as fans rally up. Shibata gets a leg, trips Narita and steps through, but Narita keeps the Figure Four from completing. Shibata applies more torque and he clamps it on! Narita endures, fans rally, and Shibata keeps on the pressure. Narita moves around, crawls his way over, but Shibata drags him away from ropes! Shibata puts more pressure on, Narita reaches back and gets the ropebreak! Shibata lets Narita go but stomps the legs. Shibata puts Narita in the corner to fire off forearm after forearm, then he knees low. Shibata runs corner to corner but Narita follows to back elbow!
Narita stomps away, the ref counts, but Narita shoves the ref away! Narita keeps on Shibata as he digs both boots in! The ref comes back, counts, Narita lets off at 4. Narita drags Shibata up, has the half hatch but then blocks Shibata’s strike to fire off KICKS! Narita runs, but Shibata catches him for a headlock STO! Shibata drags Narita up, whips him to a corner and BOOTS him! Shibata whips Narita corner to corner and BOOTS him! Shibata fires off forearm after forearm, but Narita eggs him on! Shibata EuroUppers, then stomps away! The ref counts, Shibata lets off at 4, but he gets his scuffing heel kicks in behind the ref’s back.
Shibata goes corner to corner, fans fire up and Shibata runs in, HESITATION DROPKICK!! Shibata hits his signature! And then SNAP HALF HATCH! Cover, TWO!! Narita survives, but Shibata has the ARMBAR! Narita rolls it to get a DOUBLE HEEL HOOK! He rolls it to a SHARPSHOOTER! Shibata endures, fans fire up and Shibata powers up! Shibata crawls forward, Narita sits deep on the hold, but Shibata gets the ROPEBREAK! Narita drags Shibata from ropes for a KNEEBAR! Shibata scrambles and gets the ROPEBREAK again! Narita lets go but shows no mercy as he stomps away on the leg!
Narita hauls Shibata up, CLUBS the leg, but runs into a KITCHEN SINK! Fans are fired up as both men are down. Shibata gets his leg moving, aims at Narita, and SOBATS! Narita staggers, Shibata KICKS him out of the ring! Narita falls to the floor, Shibata lets the ring count start. But then Shibata decides to go out after Narita, puts him in, and ducks the punch to kick! Shibata ducks another punch to get a SLEEPER HOLD at the ropes! The ref counts, Shibata kicks Narita down and runs, into a clinch! Shibata fights the suplex, pulls Narita’s hair, but Narita is giving Shibata headbutts! Narita slips around to a cobra twist! Shibata breaks it to put Narita in the cobra twist!
Narita endures, reaches for the ropes, and gets the ROPEBREAK! Shibata lets go to KNEE and SAIDO! Shibata holds on, drags Narita back up, ripcord SLAP! Shibata drags Narita back up, to KICK and KICK and KICK! Narita flops, Shibata sits him up to KICK again! Narita flounders to a corner but he fires himself back up. Shibata fires up and BOOTS Narita down! Cover, ONE?!? LARIAT! Cover, TWO!! Narita isn’t done, he gets a leg and clubs away on it! Narita KICKS away on that leg, KICKS up high, Shibata keeps his guard up as Narita fires off. Shibata gives kicks in the openings, then KICKS Narita’s leg out!
Narita fires up but Shibata ROCKS him! SLEEPER, then PENALTY KICK!! Cover, Shibata wins!!
Winner: Katsuyori Shibata, by pinfall
The Wrestler is back!! He and Narita went all out in this match, and Shibata stands tall! And though Narita lost, he embraces Shibata, proud to have been the one facing him in this moment. Is this just the beginning of a storybook comeback?
NJPW returns to AXS TV!
Thursday, March 3rd, New Japan returns to American primetime television!
NEVER Openweight Championship: Tomohiro Ishii VS EVIL w/ Dick Togo!
The Stone Pitbull took this title off Jay White in the United States, and now brings it back to Japan to defend it! But with the NEVER Openweight Six Man titles in the House of Torture, is the King of Darkness about to become the King of NEVER? Or will Ishii never let that happen?
The introductions are made, but Evil attacks Ishii as he enters! Evil CLUBS Ishii, rakes his eyes, and then POSTS Ishii! The bell rings to get this on record, and Evil gets those chairs out from under the ring! Ishii sits up, Evil JAMS him with a chair, then puts it around his head! Evil gets the other chair but Ishii kicks him first! Ishii arms himself with the chair, and they duel! Evil is disarmed, but Dick kicks Ishii enough to throw him off balance! Evil RAMS Ishii into the railing, and down goes the timekeeper! Young Lions hurry to help Abe-san while Evil drags Ishii and the chairs away. Evil knees Ishii low, puts the chair back around his head, and gets the other chair to HOME RUN!
Evil smirks, then he mocks Abe-san as he picks himself up. The ref checks on Ishii while fans rally up, and Evil goes into the ring. Evil wants the ring count to start already, but Ishii staggers up and in first. Evil drags Ishii up while fans cheer, and Evil whips Ishii into a corner. Wait, that one’s buckle pad is gone! Changing up the Bullet Club special, it seems! Evil drags Ishii up, and whips him back into that bare corner! Evil stands on Ishii’s head, then brings him up to throw him out. Dick DECKS Ishii while Evil distracts the ref! Dick puts Ishii in, Evil covers, TWO! Another cover, TWO! Another one, TWO!! Evil is furious but fans rally up.
Evil kicks Ishii around and taunts him. Ishii gets up but Evil CHOPS him. Ishii doesn’t flinch, he ROCKS Evil then whips him into his bare corner! Evil staggers, Ishii runs him over! Fans fire up and Ishii finally gets his shirt off. Ishii drags Evil up, reels him in, but Evil blocks the suplex. Evil throws elbows, runs, but Ishii dodges. Evil goes to the corner, Ishii gets around, SAIDO! Both men are down but fans fire back up! Ishii gets up and fans rally behind him. Ishii waits on Evil to stand, then he runs, but Evil avoids the lariat. Evil waistlocks, Ishii switches, Evil shoves the ref! Evil backs Ishii down into Dick’s CHAIRSHOT! Then FISHERMAN BUSTER!
Both men are down again but the fans rally. Evil gets up, runs, but Ishii avoids the lariat to spin. Evil JABS Ishii, whips him into the bare buckles, but Ishii comes back to LARIAT! Fans fire up while Ishii grits his teeth to fight through the pain in his back. Ishii hoists Evil up top, climbs up after him, and then brings Evil up for a STALLING- No, wait, Evil fights the superplex. Ishii tries again, and he gets Evil up for the STALLING SUPERPLEX! Cover, TWO! Ishii snarls but he keeps his focus as he sits Evil up. Ishii runs, but Dick is there to swipe at him! Ishii is angry, but then the ref is used as a shield!
Ishii swats Evil’s clothesline and gets a waistlock, but Evil grabs the ref! That throws things off so no back suplex. Ishii runs, the ref is thrown into the LARIAT! Dick gets in and stomps Ishii down! And then he uses the SPOILER CHOKER! But not only that, here comes Yujiro Takahashi! Feed to a LARIAT from Tokyo Pimp! The House of Torture get Ishii up, BIG- NO! No big DDT! Ishii shoves Yujiro into Dick! Ishii then sends Yujiro into the bare buckles! Ishii goes back for Evil as fans fire up! Ishii stands him up to CHOP and forearm on repeat! But here comes Sho! GERMAN SUPLEX!
The Murder Machine is still upset after his loss earlier, so he drags Ishii up and tucks the arms. But here comes YOH! Yoh gets in and he CLOBBERS Sho! And SUPERKICKS Evil! Direct Drive then PLANCHAS onto Sho and Yujiro! Now things are even! A new ref hurries out and he checks on both men. Ishii gets up and he headbutts the corner to fire up! Evil sits up in a daze, Ishii runs and- No, Evil swats his lariat! GERMAN SUPLEX! But Ishii is back up! Ishii tanks Evil’s lariat and HEADBUTTS! Ishii runs but into EVERY- NO! Ishii waistlocks, Evil grabs the ref, but Ishii avoids the low blow kick! Ishii ENZIGURIS Evil down!
Dick tries to get in with the title belt! Yoh stops him, Ishii LARIATS Evil!! Cover, TWO?!! Evil survives but Ishii fires up again. Dick elbows Yoh but Yoh keeps him down! Ishii drags Evil back up, but Sho grabs at the ref! Ishii suplexes, Yujiro LOW BLOWS! The ref misses it all! Yoh attacks Sho, but then Evil gets the title belt! Dick distracts now, Evil takes aim, BELT SHOT!! Evil gets the belt out of the ring and he drags Ishii back up. EVERYTHING IS EVIL!! Cover, Evil wins!!
Winner: Evil, by pinfall (NEW NEVER Openweight Champion)
Another night, another dastardly way to win! And at least for tonight, Evil is the Double NEVER Champion! But will Chaos avenge this travesty in tomorrow’s Six Man title match? Or does the house always win?
IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: The Dangerous Tekkers VS Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI!
Taichi & Zack Sabre Jr. have been quite impressive as champions, having even won a Triple Threat involving Los Ingobernables de Japon and the very team they’re facing here. But the Fierce Warrior & Head Hunter fought their way through World Tag League 2021 and are now standing on the precipice of their dream! Will Goto-Hashi make it #LightsOut? Or will they #JustTapOut to the Holy Emperor & Submission Master?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see if this is the moment Goto & Hashi have been waiting for!
Hashi and ZSJ start and fans rally at the bell. They circle, feel things out, and knuckle lock. ZSJ breaks one, wrenches the other, then wrenches more for a wristlock. Hashi breaks free but ZSJ avoids the chop to EuroUpper! ZSJ headbutts low, headlocks, but Hashi powers out and Goto tags in! They double shoulder ZSJ down, then hip toss senton! Then they hammer ZSJ down! Taichi runs in, Goto-Hashi double kick him, but Taichi avoids getting hammered! Taichi chokes Goto to a corner while ZSJ snapmares and NECK TWISTS Hashi! The ref reprimands the Tekkers, Taichi lets off on Goto and exits.
ZSJ drags Hashi out to cravat while Taichi whips Goto into railing. ZSJ slams Hashi down on the ramp for another NECK TWIST! ZSJ goes back to the ring while Taichi chokes Goto with the camera cable! A ring count starts, Hashi gets up at 7 of 20 and in at 8. ZSJ drags Hashi up to go after an arm. ZSJ throws Hashi over to then get a neck lock! ZSJ pushes up to get leverage, but Hashi moves around! ZSJ gets the legs to keep them from touching ropes! ZSJ has them in a figure four knot, but Hashi powers his way with his arms, ROPEBREAK! ZSJ lets go, tags in Taichi, and Taichi stomps Hashi down.
Taichi drags Hashi up, snapmares and KICKS him in the back! Taichi chokes Hashi, the ref sees that and reprimands. Taichi stops, but chokes again. The ref reprimands again, so Taichi uses both hands to choke! The ref counts, Taichi lets off at 4, then drags Hashi back up. Taichi chokes Hashi but sorta hides it as he puts him in the corner. ZSJ tags in to headbutt low and clamp on a cravat. ZSJ snapmares and holds on for a neck wrench. Hashi endures, even as ZSJ thrashes him. Goto rallies the fans and they rally for Hashi as he endures. Hashi fights up, ZSJ cranks on the hold more! Hashi throws body shots, then he CHOPS, but ZSJ blocks!
ZSJ wrenches, KICKS the arm, then runs, but Hashi dodges! Hashi runs to BLOCKBUSTER! Fans fire up as Hashi shakes out his bad arm. Hashi and ZSJ crawl, hot tag to Goto! Goto rallies on ZSJ, DECKS Taichi, then fires up! Goto runs at ZSJ in the corner, MURAMASA! Headlock and BULLDOG! Cover, TWO! Goto drags ZSJ up, fireman’s carries but ZSJ fights that with a double wristlock! ZSJ wrenches, wrangles Goto down then wrenches again. Goto ROCKS ZSJ with a forearm, runs, but ZSJ shoots around to an IRON OCTOPUS! Goto endures, stays up and powers out, but ZSJ slips off the fireman’s carry to EuroUpper!
ZSJ runs, Goto follows and Goto LARIATS! Taichi AX BOMBERS! Hashi LARIATS! ZSJ boots and EuroUppers! ZSJ dropkicks Goto’s leg out and PENALTY KICKS! Goto is right back up to LARIAT ZSJ down! Fans fire up as all four men are down! Fans rally as Goto crawls after ZSJ. Goto drags ZSJ up, throws forearms, and ZSJ staggers to ropes. ZSJ comes back with a EuroUpper! And another, but then Goto ROCKS him! Goto runs, ZSJ gets around and has another IRON OCTOPUS! Taichi gets Hashi for the SEITEIJYUJIRYOU! ZSJ drags Goto down for the grounded octopus, then a mounted armbar! ZSJ keeps after the arm but Goto still endures!
Goto moves around, kicks his way over, ROPEBREAK! Taichi lets Hashi go and ZSJ sets Goto free while fans cheer. The Tekkers coordinate and bring Goto up. Goto blocks the scoop, CLUBS away on ZSJ, then runs, but into a choke grip! CHOKE SLAM BACK SUPLEX! ZSJ covers, TWO! Taichi TAKES OFF THE PANTS! ZSJ drags Goto up again, Taichi takes aim, but Hashi anchors Taichi! Goto gets ZSJ in a sleeper, then a La Magistrol! TWO!! ZSJ swings, into a dragon sleeper! BUt he victory rolls for a EURO CLUTCH! TWO!! Goto escapes by mere nanoseconds! Goto blocks the Penalty Kick to CLUB the leg! But ZSJ PELES Goto’s arm! Goto fireman’s carries, USHIGOROSHI!
Fans fire up while both men are down! Goto and ZSJ crawl for their corners, hot tags to Hashi and Taichi! Taichi BOOTS, Hashi forearms! Taichi rebounds to BOOT, Hashi rebounds to forearm! Taichi and Hashi stare down, Taichi KICKS but Hashi forearms! They keep going, back and forht, kick for forearm, but Taichi gets the edge. Taichi ROUNDHOUSES but Hashi BACK HANDS! They stare down again, Hashi throws another forearm and Taichi throws another kick! They keep going, Hashi gets the edge and CHOPS! Taichi drops to a knee, Hashi powers up! Hashi runs, but into a boot! He BACK HANDS again! Taichi wrenches to DANGEROUS HOOK KICK!
But Hashi’s back up?! Only to run into a DANGEROUS SAIDO!! Cover, TWO!! Taichi grows frustrated but fans rally up. Taichi aims from the corner, powers up, but Hashi SUPERKICKS first! Hashi fires up and copies Taichi’s stance, but Taichi SUPERKICKS back! Taichi fires up, ZSJ gets in, and ZSJ BOOTS Goto down! Taichi gets Hashi up, Alabama lift, but Hashi slips off to shove Tekkers at each other! HIDDEN GAP SUPERKICK for ZSJ! DRAGON SUPLEX for Taichi! Taichi’s right back up!? But Hashi LARIATS him back down! High stack, TWO!! Fans are thunderous as Hashi drags Taichi back up! Hashi half nelsons and pump handles, but no Karma!
Taichi fights but Hashi holds on, Goto returns! Hashi feeds Taichi to Goto’s fireman’s carry, but Taichi slips off! HIDDEN GAP SUPERKICK! Another fireman’s carry, SUPERKICK to USHIGOROSHI! Fierce Flash hits, but that’s not it! Dragon sleeper and leg lift, SHOTO!! Cover, but ZSJ barrels in and breaks it!! Fans are thunderous again as Goto clubs ZSJ. ZSJ EuroUppers, but then Goto gets him in a facelock! Hashi helps out, G Y R!! Goto-Hashi fire up and they get Taichi back up! Full nelson and lift, but Taichi kicks free! ZSJ drags Goto to an ANKLE LOCK! Taichi has the GEDO CLUTCH! TWO!?!?
Hashi kicks at ZSJ but ZSJ has the ANKLE LOCK! Hashi throws ZSJ off to Goto’s fireman’s carry, but ZSJ slips around to a GUILLOTINE! But Goto powers out! FIERCE FLASH to SHOTO!! Fans are electric as Goto runs in, but Taichi dodges to GAMANGIRI! Then GAMANGIRI for Hashi! Taichi erupts and he drags Hashi up! Alabama lift, but Hashi fights it off to a DESTROYER?! Goto gets Taichi, URA GTR!! Hashi gets the Full Nelson, Goto gets the legs, NARAKU!!! Cover, Goto-Hashi win!!!
Winners: Hirooki Goto & Yoshi-Hashi, by pinfall (NEW IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions)
The same way Goto-Hashi won the WTL trophies is the same way they win the tag titles! And this might only be the start! Will this momentum help Goto, Hashi and Yoh take the NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships off the House of Torture?
Hashi shows Taichi and ZSJ respect by offering a handshake. Taichi sits up, and he slaps the hand away, to pat him on the shoulder and even hug Hashi! The Tekkers are down right now, but will we see them find their way back in the New Year?
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: El Desperado VS Hiromu Takahashi!
We just saw Suzuki-Gun’s Dangerous Tekkers lose their titles against the WTL 2021 winners. Now, the Rogue Luchador and the Ticking Timebomb battle again, wanting to settle that time limit draw during the Best of the Super Juniors 28! Will Desperado prove who is really the best? Or will Hiromu make history as being a three-time BOSJ winner that became champion?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and the world witnesses the next chapter in this storied rivalry!
The two go right after each other at the bell! They collide with shoulders, then start throwing forearms back and forth! Fans rally up as the two build up speed! Desperado shakes his head, CHOPS Hiromu, and Hiromu CHOPS back! They go CHOP for CHOP, and this is feeling a lot like their BOSJ 28 match. They overhand CHOP, back hand CHOP, and Hiromu eggs Desperado on. Desperado CHOPS, so Hiromu CHOPS again! Desperado is stinging but he still CHOPS back! Hiromu CHOPS, Desperado ROCKS Hiromu with a right hand! Desperado waistlock but Hiromu elbows free. Hiromu runs, but Desperado elbows him at the ropes.
Desperado runs, but now Hiromu follows and elbows him at the ropes. Hiromu fakes Desperado out but Desperado whips to elbow. Desperado then dodges, elbows, runs, but Hiromu dodges and CLOBBERS him! Desperado is up to CLOBBER Hiromu! Hiromu is up to CLOBBER Desperado! Desperado is up to CLOBBER Hiromu! They both get up, DOUBLE FOREARMS, and then they RAM shoulders! Hiromu clotheslines in the corner, snapmares, but Desperado is up to run, into D! Hiromu has Desperado caught in the triangle hold, but Desperado powers up! Hiromu lets go, but Desperado gets around to back suplex! Cover, ONE!! Hiromu GERMAN SUPLEXES! Cover, ONE!!
Fans fire up as both men stagger. Desperado waistlocks, Hiromu elbows free but Desperado pulls him back. Desperado runs into a pop-up but makes it a RANA! Hiromu falls out of the ring, Desperado runs to DIVE! Direct hit at the ramp! Desperado puts Hiromu in, but Hiromu runs to SUNSET FLIP POWERBOMB! Fans fire up as Hiromu and Desperado are both down. The ring count starts, Hiromu crawls but so does Desperado. The count is 15 of 20 before either stands up! Hiromu and Desperado get to the apron, they slide in at 19! Fans rally as both men sit up slowly. Desperado throws a forearm from his knees, but Hiromu gives it back.
Desperado stands to throw a haymaker, but Hiromu throws it back! Desperado punches back, Hiromu staggers, but he comes back with another! They go back and forth again, Hiromu fires up to get the edge! Hiromu ROCKS Desperado to a corner, then brings him out to fireman’s carry. Desperado slips off, but Hiromu mule kicks, front kicks and fireman’s carries. Desperado slips off again, but runs into a BOOT! Hiromu runs but into a SPINEBUSTER! Desperado floats and GUITARRA DEL ANGEL! Cover, TWO! Desperado drags Hiromu to a drop zone and goes up top! Fans rally, Desperado leaps, FROG SPLASH! Cover, TWO!
Fans cheer and Desperado gets back up. He drags Hiromu up, reels him in and underhooks, but Hiromu fights Pinche! Hiromu wrenches, HEADBUTTS, but Desperado ROCKS Hiromu with a forearm! Desperado runs, but into a POP-UP POWERBOMB! But Hiromu can’t hold the cover as he and Desperado are both down! Fans rally, Hiromu drags himself up the ropes in a corner. Desperado runs in but into an OVERHEAD Belly2Belly into the corner! Both men are down again and fans rally up even more. Hiromu roars as he stands back up, and he runs corner to corner, to SHOTGUN Desperado back down!
Hiromu drags Desperado up, fireman’s carries, DYNAMITE PLUNGER! Cover, TWO! Hiromu grits his teeth as he hobbles back to Desperado and fireman’s carries again. CORNER DEATH VALLEY! Fans fire up with Hiromu and he drags Desperado back to center. Another fireman’s carry, but Desperado makes it a crucifix takedown! TWO, Desperado spins Hiromu to a backslide, but just to get he arms PINCHE- NO! Hiromu fights it, fireman’s carries, throws him to a dragon sleeper, but Desperado slips out, and then fights the Falcon Arrow! Hiromu spins Desperado around, suplexes, but Desperado keeps fighting it!
Hiromu gets Desperado back to the fireman’s carry, spins, but Desperado sunset flips to the STRETCH MUFFLER! Hiromu endures, rolls Desperado to a cover, TWO! STRETCH MUFFLER! Hiromu endures as Desperado makes it NUMERO DOS PLUS! Cover, TWO! Hiromu sits up and sunsets for a DESTROYER!! Desperado flounders and staggers, HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER! Fans rally up as Hiromu gets back up. Hiromu drags Desperado into the suplex, VICTORY ROYALE! Cover, TWO! Hiromu roars again, he’s far from done! Hiromu drags Desperado up into the dragon sleeper, inverted suplex, but no Timebomb! EL ES CULERO! TWO!!!
Hiromu gets up to SUPERKICK! He dodges Desperado’s punch to SUPERKICK again! Hiromu drags Desperado back up, reels him in, and he underhooks the arms, but Desperado powers to the Alabama lift! He tucks Hiromu in, CRUNCHY!! Cover, TWO!! Hiromu survives and Desperado can’t believe it! Desperado roars, drags Hiromu up and underhooks the arms, PINCHE- RANA! Hiromu sits on the cover, TWO!! Desperado escapes, Hiromu SUPERKICKS! Hiromu runs, but Desperado LOCO MONOS! Hiromu goes down and Red Shoes reprimands cuz that was a closed fist. But Desperado doesn’t care, he drags Hiromu back up! Underhooks, PINCHE LOCO!
Desperado holds on as he rolls Hiromu to the underhooks, TIGER- NO! Hiromu slips off, tucks Desperado in, TWO!?! Desperado escapes the clutch, but Hiromu steals LOCO MONO! Hiromu powers up and fans rally behind him as he drags Desperado back up. But Desperado LOCO MONOS right back! Fans fire up with Desperado now as he gets Hiromu up! Underhooks, PINCHE LOCO!! And then the roll-through, to another PINCHE LOCO!! Cover a la the Deadman, Desperado wins!!
Winner: El Desprado, by pinfall (still IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion)
It didn’t matter that Hiromu won the trophy, the Rogue Luchador holds onto the belt! Will Desperado prove that HE is the Best of the Super Juniors through the rest of 2022?
IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Shingo Takagi VS Kazuchika Okada!
The Rampaging Dragon is only the third man to hold this belt, born of unifying IWGP Heavyweight and IWGP Intercontinental Championships. But now, there are those that claim they hold the TRUE belt. The Rainmaker himself resurrected the IWGP Heavyweight Championship belt to act as his G1 Climax 31 briefcase to make such a point. Will Okada reestablish the old order? Or will Takagi burn hot as the sun towards a bright future?
The introductions are made, the winged world title is raised, and forces of nature collide in the main event!
Fans rally up already as the two stare down. Takagi and Okada circle, feel things out, and Okada slips away before Takagi can clinch him. They go again, Takagi gets a waistlock but Okada switches. Takagi switches and brings Okada down, but Okada switches on the mat. They stand, Takagi wrenches to a wristlock, then wrenches again. Takagi pushes through to a hammerlock, but Okada drop toeholds. Okada floats to a facelock but Takagi slips out to get the facelock for himself. They stand, Okada wrenches out, headlocks, and he grinds Takagi down to a knee. Takagi fights up, pries the hold, but Okada powers it on tighter.
Okada hits a headlock takeover but Takagi gets the headscissor. Takagi pushes up to put on pressure, then he gets Okada’s arm. Okada moves around, gets a leg guard, but Takagi pushes through to a lateral press. ONE, and fans cheer as the two stand off. Okada and Takagi go again with a collar ‘n’ elbow. They’re in a deadlock, but Okada finds a point of leverage and he puts Takagi on ropes. Red Shoes calls for the break, Okada lets off slowly, and he fakes the chop to pat Takagi on the shoulders. Takagi and Okada egg each other on, so Okada kicks low! Okada headlocks, Takagi throws body shots and powers out. Okada and Takagi ram shoulders but neither falls!
Okada runs, Takagi withstands the shoulder tackle! Okada runs again, rams Takagi but Takagi rebounds, into a drop toehold! Okada drops an elbow on Takagi’s back! Takagi gets to ropes, Okada brings him up, and Okada throws a forearm. Okada turns Takagi to a NECKBREAKER! Cover, ONE! Okada keeps cool and brings Takagi into a chinlock. Takagi endures, moves forward, and gets a ropebreak. Okada lets off but brings Takagi back up to snapmare, run and basement dropkick! An Okada classic, and he paces while catching his breath. Okada drags Takagi back up, scoops and SLAMS him, then goes to the apron for a slingshot, only for Takagi to avoid the senton!
Okada turns around into Takagi’s ELBOW! JAB! YUKON LARIAT! Okada gets up, Takagi clotheslines him out of the ring! Fans fire up and Takagi encourages them to get louder. Takagi then goes out to fetch Okada, and bumps him off the apron! Then Takagi fireman’s carries to SNAKE EYES Okada off the apron! Fans cheer more, and Takagi hauls Okada up. Okada fights the pump handle, elbows free, boots and DDT’s Takagi to the floor! But Takagi deadlifts Okada for a suplex!? What power from the Dragon! Red Shoes checks on Okada, he’s okay to continue, and fans rally up as Takagi gets back up.
A ring count starts, but Takagi takes his time stretching out his back. Takagi refreshes the count, hauls Okada up, and RAMS him into the apron! Takagi puts Okada back in, then slingshots to STOMP Okada in the stomach! Fans cheer as Takagi stands on Okada and marches in place. Red Shoes counts, Takagi lets go of the ropes, then DOUBLE STOMPS Okada again! Takagi kicks Okada around, Takagi puts him against ropes, and then throws knees! Takagi whips and KNEES Okada against ropes, then runs to run Okada over! Takagi gets Okada right back up for a FAST back suplex! Cover, TWO! Takagi keeps on Okada with a body scissors squeeze!
Okada endures, fans rally up, and Okada moves around. Takagi thrashes Okada, adds on a chinlock, but Okada gets a ropebreak with a foot. Takagi lets go to loom over Okada, and he drops an elbow! And another! And then a SENTON! Fans cheer, Takagi says that’s why he’s champion. Takagi taunts Okada, brings him up, but Okada throws body shots. Takagi HEADBUTTS Okada down, but Okada comes back with more forearms! Takagi ROCKS Okada with just one, but Okada comes back with a string of forearms. Takagi DOUBLE CHOPS back! Takagi then whips, Okada ducks and dodges to CLOBBER Takagi with the back elbow!
Fans rally up again, “TA-KA-GI!” “O-KA-DA!” as both men go to corners. Okada runs in to rally with forearms and elbows! Takagi dodges the boot but not the FLAPJACK! Takagi goes to a corner, Okada whips corner to corner, and runs in to back elbow! Kick and DDT! Cover, TWO! Okada keeps cool as fans continue to rally. Okada waits on Takagi to get up, but Takagi fights the Alabama lift. Takagi runs in, misses in the corner, Okada puts him up to to dropkick him down! Takagi tumbles to the apron and then the floor! Fans rally up while Okada catches his breath and a ring count starts.
Okada goes out after Takagi at 5 of 20, brings him up and whips him into railing! Okada runs and BOOTS Takagi over the railing! Okada has media clear out and then he gets space, to run and FLY over the railing! CROSSBODY sends Takagi crashing down! Fans fire up while Red Shoes checks on Takagi. Takagi’s okay to continue so a ring count starts again. Okada gets up and brings Takagi back to the ring at 10 of 20. Okada climbs up the corner, Takagi stands, and Okada missile dropkicks! Cover, TWO! Okada drags Takagi up, wrenches the arm and puts on the MONEY CLIP! Fans rally as Takagi endures and fights to his feet!
Okada cranks on the hold more, but Takagi steps forward to the ROPEBREAK! Okada lets go, Takagi gasps and sputters, but Okada comes back. Takagi fights the gut wrench so Okada CLUBS him! Okada runs, into the ELBOW! JAB! YUKON feint for the DDT! Both men are down but fans rally back up. Takagi gets up and he drags Okada up. Okada fires forearms and an uppercut, but into the Gory Especial! Okada fights it, and has the MONEY CLIP back! Takagi arm-drags free! Takagi runs in but is popped up to the Alabama! Takagi fights out, Gory Especial, NOSHIGAMI! Both men are down again and the fans rally back up!
Takagi drags Okada into a wheelbarrow GERMAN! Takagi crawls over, sits Okada up, and he drives elbow after elbow into Okada’s shoulder. Takagi runs, but Okada catches the sliding lariat to the MONEY CLIP! Takagi endures again, fights back up, but Okada gut wrenches for the SPINNING TOMBSTONE! And then MONEY CLIP! Takagi endures, throws punches with his free arm, but Okada cranks the arm! Takagi fights up, reaches out, but Okada keeps him from ropes with a BACK2BACKBREAKER! And then MONEY CLIP!! Takagi endures all over again and the fans rally up! Okada cranks harder, Takagi throws more punches.
Takagi keeps reaching, Okada drags him down but Takagi reaches back with a foot for the ROPEBREAK! Okada lets Takagi go and fans rally up again. Okada drags Takagi up, scoops and SLAMS him, and then heads for the corner. Another classic formula, Okada drops the MACHO ELBOW! And then, Rainmaker Pose! Takagi stands, Okada ripcords, but PUMPING BOMBER hits first! Both men are down and the fans rally back up! Takagi says he’s not done yet, and he gets up. Fans fire up more as he copies the Rainmaker Pose, and then flexes! Okada BOOTS Takagi for that, then fires off hammering fists! No one mocks Okada!
Red Shoes has to back Okada off, but Okada pushes him away! Okada ROCKS Takagi, and again! Okada runs, Takagi LARIATS! Takagi runs, Okada BOOTS! Okada boots again, but Takagi blocks and LARIATS! But Okada’s right back up to SHOTGUN dropkick! But Takagi gets right back up, PUMPING BOMBER!! Both men are down and the fans are thunderous! Okada rolls his way out of the ring and flops to the floor. Takagi is annoyed but he goes out after Okada. Takagi drags Okada up, but Okada RAMS him into the apron! Okada POSTS Takagi, then brings him tot he ramp to throw forearms! Okada headbutts to keep Takagi going up the ramp.
Okada goes to gut wrench but Takagi blocks! Okada powers through, but Takagi still fights it! Okada tries a third time but no dice so he EuroUppers Takagi down! Takagi flounders back towards the ring but Okada is there to gut wrench! But Takagi turns it around on Okada, to fireman’s carry and DEATH VALLEY BOMB Okada on the ramp! Now that’s an attitude adjustment! Fans rally back up, the ring count starts, and Takagi sits up at 5 of 20. Takagi crawls for the ring, leaving Okada behind. Takagi stands at 10, gets in at 12, and lets the count handle the rest. Okada stirs at 14, staggers over to the ring at 17, goes around the railing and gets in at 19!
Takagi wants Okada to stand up in the corner, and fans rally as Okada gets up. Takagi runs in to clothesline! Takagi hauls Okada up to the top rope, climbs up to join him right away, and with little hesitation, hits a SUPERPLEX! Okada writhes and Takagi crawls his way over. Takagi sits Okada up and runs, to SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Takagi fires up with “OI! OI! OI!” Fans clap along, Takagi drags Okada up and pump handles, but Okada fights the half nelson! Takagi throws knees, Okada switches but Takagi elbows, only to run into a DROPKICK! Okada gets Takagi for the ripcord, but Takagi ducks to ripcord! Okada ducks, backslides and stands Takagi up, LARIAT!
Okada keeps wrist control, stands Takagi up again, LARIAT! Okada roars, ripcords and RAIN- NO! Pump handle, MADE IN JAPAN! Cover, TWO!! Takagi doesn’t wait, he just gets Okada up again, MADE IN JAPAN AGAIN!! Cover, TWO!!! Okada survives but is dazed, and the fans are thunderous again! Takagi runs, PUMPING BOMBER!! Cover, TWO?!?! Okada is still in this but Takagi just fires up! Takagi drags Okada up, pump handle and torture rack, but Okada slips out! Ripcord, RAINMAKER!! But Okada can’t make the cover! Fans are electric as both men are down! Okada checks his eye while Takagi flounders.
Takagi crawls over to Okada, but Okada pushes himself up. Okada throws a forearm from the mat, but Takagi gives it back. Okada throws another, Takagi gives it back! Okada throws a forearm, Takagi throws it back! Takagi stands Okada up but Okada throws a forearm! Takagi forearms, Okada forearms, and fans rally up as Takagi roars! Takagi forearms, and again, but Okada just stares him down. Takagi SLAPS and SLAPS and forearms, but Okada EuroUppers! Takagi wobbles, Okada EuroUppers again! And again! Takagi leans against ropes and fans fire up again! Okada eggs Takagi on so Takagi comes back with boxing elbows!
Takagi tops things off and he DECKS Okada! Takagi drags Okada back up, pump handles, torture racks, but Okada slips off, MONEY CLIP! But Takagi arm-drags free, and BLINDSIDE ELBOWS! Takagi goes to the corner, fireman’s carries Okada and climbs up! Okada fights free and then moves around. Takagi throws body shots back, fans fire up, but Okada again resists! Okada and Takagi are brawling up top, Takagi fights up but Okada hits a SUPER DDT!! Fans are thunderous as both men are down again! Okada roars as he stands back up! Ripcord but Takagi elbows free! So Okada GERMAN SUPLEXES! Okada holds on, ripcords, but Takagi dodges!
Okada catches Takagi, spins, but into the JAB! And a HEADBUTT! Both men wobble, POINT-BLANK PUMPING!! Takagi fires up, he drags Okada up and pump handles for the torture rack! Okada fights again, dragon sleeper to a gut wrench! Takagi fights free of that, DRAGON SUPLEX! Takagi runs, into a DROPKCIK! Takagi flounders up to his feet, but runs into a MICHINOKU DRIVER! Okada gets Takagi back up, ripcord and RAINMAKER!!! Cover, Okada wins!!
Winner: Kazuhicka Okada, by pinfall (NEW IWGP World Heavyweight Champion)
The more things change, the more they stay the same! The Dragon has been slain, and now the Rainmaker is back on top! And as such, Okada wants his belt first. He sets that belt down and thanks it for being there for him. Then he puts that aside, to have Red Shoes put the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship around his waist! But of course, Ospreay returns to get the mic! “This is how you do it! Ladies and gentlemen, your winner, aaaaand NEEEW interim IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, Kazuchika… Okada…!” Ospreay grins as he says Okada has had a rough 2021. That ring gear looks so cheap! And people are agreeing with him!
Ospreay gets in the ring with Okada, and “congratulates” Okada for his hard fought victory. Okada looks exhausted. Ospreay, on the other hand, didn’t break a sweat earlier. So Ospreay can’t wait. Because not only will Ospreay get sweet revenge tomorrow, he will walk out with the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship and Okada can just go away from NJPW to be an actor. NJPW will be safe in Ospreay’s hands. “See you tomorrow.” Ospreay drops the mic and has a smarmy smile as he exits the ring. Okada takes his turn with the mic to say in English, “Yo, Ospreay. I’m sorry, fake champion. See you tomorrow.”
That gets Ospreay to come back in a huff! Fake champion?! Okada just called Ospreay a fake champion!? “Yeah, yeah, yeah. You are fake champion. See you tomorrow. Have a good night.” Ospreay talks trash as he exits for real, and Okada continues in Japanese for the crowd. “Everyone, Happy New Year! For wrestling fans, the new year doesn’t begin until today. I’ve got three things to say. First: Takagi-san, you were a real champion. And that was a real battle. Thank you very much.” Fans appreciate Okada showing that respect.
“Second: I selfishly resurrected the fourth gen IWGP Heavyweight Championship belt.” Okada knows he confused some people with that. But Okada truly believes that belt fueled NJPW these past 50 years. Okada was mostly upset that when they created the new belt, they didn’t properly say good by to the old one. But with all the fans clapping along, Okada was able to give it a proper sendoff. He thanks everyone for that, and asks for one last round of applause for the IWGP Heavyweight belt. Fans oblige, and Okada continues by saying, “Third: There is no third thing.” Another classic Okada move.
Well, he’d like to call it here, but there is the title match tomorrow. Plus, the 50th anniversary year is just kicking off. Fans applaud that, too! NJPW is really the greatest, and they will continue to give fans hot matches with their support. Okada thanks everyone for coming out to see the show, and knows there is still the “opponent” of COVID. Wrestlers always get back up, so the people have to do the same. That way, next year’s WrestleKingdom, though Okada has said this before, he still promises, “Let’s fill the Tokyo Dome to capacity! That’s the goal for this 50th anniversary!” Fans definitely cheer that!
Okada hopes they continue to support NJPW as it celebrates 50 years and marches forward! Fans also cheer that sentiment. Okada finishes by saying he hopes to see everyone back tomorrow, and promises to make it rain for the 50th! Fans cheer and night one comes to a close! Will Okada make sure to keep this promise and reign through 2022? Or will Ospreay rain on Okada’s parade and already become a two-time IWGP World Heavyweight Champion?
My Thoughts:
What a great night for NJPW to start WrestleKingdom week! Fujinami was a great surprise in the New Japan Ranbo, as was Cima. Cima being a finalist was also great, he will make the Fatal 4 tomorrow really interesting, as will Suzuki, but I’m thinking it’s between Yano and Chase. Yano is still a comedic genius, but it’d be great if this year, Yano has to chase the trophy while Chase is the one with all the wild match stipulations. Yoh VS Sho was a great grudge match, and I’m a little surprised Yoh not only won, but stood tall no matter what Sho tried to do after. But I also like that this all turned around in the NEVER Openweight title match, Yoh not being enough to thwart the entirety of the House of Torture, so Evil wins the belt.
Skipping ahead, Goto-Hashi VS Tekkers was an awesome match, and what a great moment for Goto-Hashi to finally get the heavyweight tag titles. Now, the math is literally 2 to 1, Chaos standing tall with Yoh, Goto & Hashi winning, so I have a feeling that House of Torture retain their Six Man titles. The Six Man of Tanahashi & Mega Coaches ending in a DQ was a bit of a surprise, but it is a great way to plug the NO DQ match tomorrow. Tanahashi loses the match but stands tall as he whoops Kenta, I’m thinking Kenta retains the title. Meanwhile, United Empire wins their Six Man, so I think Naito and Sanada each win their singles matches.
Holy crap, Shibata surprising with the rule change and giving us not just a pro-wrestling match but a great match with Narita, that was probably the best moment of the whole night. Everyone is rooting for Shibata to get back in the swing of things, this was a great sign that he is right there at the doorstep. Desperado VS Hiromu was great, definitely the way to follow up their BOSJ match, and what a shock that Hiromu doesn’t use the momentum from BOSJ to win. Depending on how the Junior Heavyweight Tag title match goes, any of the four losers could step up to face Desperado for the title next.
And of course, the main event! Great pacing, great build upon what we saw from them in the G1 and the vacated title match before that. I personally really liked Takagi being that newer, fresher face carrying this belt, but I completely understand Okada getting back to the top at this time. Okada’s still running strong, he was the last man to have the fourth gen belt, this was the moment to properly close the book on that chapter in NJPW so that this new one can finally come into its own, just as Okada said himself. Now, Okada VS Ospreay could go either way, but for all those same reasons I just said, Okada could definitely win out and carry NJPW through 2022 and then maybe be the one there when fans in Japan can finally shout out loud in the stands.
My Score: 9.1/10
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CM Punk is back in the WWE?!
Just as the smoke settled at Survivor Series: WarGames, we witnessed the shocking return of CM Punk! On top of that, he’s going to be on Raw tonight!! What will the controversial “Best in the World” say about his return?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championships #1 Contenders Tag Team Turmoil: The Creed Brothers win and will challenge The Judgment Day for the titles.
- Bronson Reed VS Ivar w/ Sarah Logan; Double Count-Out Draw.
- Nia Jax VS Zoey Stark; Nia wins.
- WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Chelsea Green & Piper Niven VS Natalya & Tegan Nox; Chelsea & Piper win and retain the titles.
- Randy Orton VS Dominik Mysterio w/ JD McDonagh; Orton wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
The first hour of Raw is COMMERCIAL FREE!
Randy Orton is here!
Nashville fires up as The Viper is back! Orton came through for Cody Rhodes and the team in WarGames and they all defeated The Judgment Day plus Drew McIntyre, and he is feeling good being back on Raw. Orton signs a young fan’s action figure box, then goes to the ring. Orton thinks about how long it has been, and he steps up to finally and once again hit his pose! The fans cheer, and they chant for “RANDY! RANDY!” as Orton gets a mic. “Well, it seems, or I should say it sounds like a few of you missed me.” Fans cheer again, and Randy says, “I’m back! I’m back for as long as I can stay here. Now without any further ado, let me cut right to it. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Monday Night Raw!”
Fans cheer again and Orton says he was gone awhile, wasn’t he? Nashville chants “Welcome Back!” and Orton nods. He thanks them and says the whole time he was gone, it gave him plenty of time to think about all his accomplishments and accolades. They already know all that and he won’t bore us to day, but he had never done one particular thing. And it was WarGames. So when his dear friend, Cody Rhodes–fans cheer a lot–called, of course Orton was in! But there was another reason he wanted in. It is because WarGames was invented by the late, great American Dream, Dusty Rhodes! To be part of that match is to be part of pro-wrestling history!
And guys, that is what it is all about. Making moments. Two nights ago at Survivor Series, he got to make a moment. But he also came back because he has unfinished business to attend to. And that business has to do… with The Bloodline. Now, if anyone gets where those guys are coming from, it’s him. Orton’s the Legend Killer, he made a living out of putting people on the shelves. He can forgive, but he can’t forget. So point of the matter is, he has a bag full of receipts for every single member of The Bloodline, and he means every single member! Now, he is sure they know what form the receipts come in, right?
These receipts are in the form of the three most dangerous letters in the WWE. NO, the most dangerous letters in ALL of Sports Entertainment: R K O! Fans fire up for that! But then Rhea Ripley makes her way out here? Mami waves hi to Randy as she struts down to the ring. Rhea is still Women’s World Champion after dealing with Zoey Stark, but she welcomes Orton back. What a performance he had at Survivor Series. She didn’t think he was the kind to do favors for others, or to team with someone who tried to end his career. Or have his big return a year in the making upstaged.
But hey, don’t get Rhea wrong. Randy looks more dangerous than ever, so it’d be a shame to have all of that wasted. Because Randy doesn’t realize that the landscape here has changed. The Bloodline has fallen, and the Judgment Day has risen as the most dominant force here in the WWE. Fans boo but Rhea says when it comes to WarGames, that was just a bump in the road. The reality is, Randy, they’re all dripping in gold! Rhea wiped the floor with Zoey, Her Dirty Dom is THE NXT North American Champion, and when it comes to Finn & Damian, they hold those Undisputed Tag Team Championships that Randy lost everything trying to get.
And if not for Randy, Damian would be the NEW World Heavyweight Champion! So he’s come in here, made all these enemies that could make his life a living nightmare. He needs to stop focusing on The Bloodline because unlike them, The Judgment Day gets the job done, and they will put Randy out permanently! Fans chant “R K O! R K O!” and Randy looks around. He stated how he kept in touch and watched for a year and a half. It’s Mami this, Mami that, blah blah blah. Guess what, Mami? Daddy’s back! Fans fire up for that! They chant “Who’s Your Daddy?” Randy says yeah, things have changed. A lot of things.
But the one thing that hasn’t changed, the one thing that will never, ever, EVER change as long as Orton is here, is that no one tells Randy Orton what to do. Rhea laughs and says he’s made his bed. She tried to warn him, tried to give him an out, but Orton has made them his enemy. And the Judgment Day attacks from behind! Dom, and McDonagh in a neck brace, stomp away on Orton in a corner! Orton fights back, POSTS McDonagh and puts Dom in ropes! Fans fire up as Randy drags Dom along, but McDonagh CLUBS Orton! RKO FOR JD!! Fans fire up as The Viper keeps the Irish Ace down and gets the mic back.
“Don’t you go too far, Dom. Don’t you leave this damn arena. Cuz as soon as I leave this ring, I’m gonna find Adam Pearce, and I’m gonna make damn sure I get you in this ring, one on one, TONIGHT!” Fans love the sound of that! Rhea freaks out, is her Latino Heat about to end up snakebit?
The Raw Tag Division gathers backstage.
Chad Gable says tonight is the night! For the first time ever, Otis & Tozawa team up! You guys ready? OOOH YEAH~! Woods & Kofi can’t believe this, the New Day’s been at this a decade and a team that literally just got put together is facing them? Maxxine & Ivy walk in, and no pressure but they have a very special guest. He is a CMA award winning, Grammy nominated and multi-platinum artist, it’s JELLY ROLL! Everyone’s excited to say hey, and Otis brings it for a belly bump! Jelly is excited to see them all in his hometown, but then R-TRUTH is here! Wassup, guys? Where’s them jelly rolls? His sweet tooth’s got a sweet tooth.
Uh, no, Truth, this guy is Jelly Roll. He’s got ’em all? He can’t have ’em all. Truth say she gotta go check catering. Tozawa, hit ’em with the roll. Ooooooh, that’s naaaaaaasty~! Truth’s confusion aside, will this Tag Team Turmoil be sweet and spicy?
Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championships #1 Contenders Tag Team Turmoil!
Judgment Day held onto the titles on SmackDown last Friday, all thanks to Mami. The Profits are down, so who steps up to go after Finn Balor & Damian Priest next?
First out, Gable’s guys, Otis & Tozawa! And their opponents? Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano! Will the Psycho Killer and Johnny Wrestling finally get on track towards former glory?
Otis & Akira Tozawa w/ The Alpha Academy VS #DIY!
Ciampa and Tozawa start, tie up, and Ciampa headlocks. Tozawa throws body shots and powers out, but Ciampa runs him over! Things keep moving, Tozawa jumps but Ciampa catches him! Tozawa slips free, SOBATS, but Ciampa ducks the spin kick. Tozawa slides under, “A THANK YEW~!” Ciampa swings, Tozawa dodges and CHOPS! Then he does his Tozawa Shuffle! But Ciampa knees low in return. Ciampa whips, Tozawa reverses but Ciampa ducks ‘n’ dodges, tag to Gargano! Ciampa slides under, CHPOS, Gargano LARIATS and Ciampa JAWBREAKERS! Whip and LARIAT! Gargano does his shuffle, then puts Tozawa in a corner.
Gargano CHOP LARITS, whips corner to corner, but Tozawa reverses. Gargano BOOTS him away, goes up and leaps, but into a GUT BUSTER! Fans fire up, Tozawa and Gargano crawl, hot tags to Otis and Ciampa! Otis blasts past DIY, does it again, then rolls under to CLOBBER them both! Fans fire up as Otis whips Gargano, WRECKER ELBOW! Clinch on Ciampa, whip and WRECKER ELBOW! Otis ELBOWS Gargano in a corner, then SPLASHES Ciampa in another! DIY falls over, and Otis rips off the shirt! Tozawa joins in, but his shirt is a bit tougher… Otis rips it off for him! The fans fire up as they DOUBLE CATERPILLAR ELBOW!
Nashville fires up as Otis tags Tozawa back in. And then Tozawa gets on Otis’ shoulders! But Gargano SPERKICKS, and Tozawa falls into a JUMP KNEE! Ciampa DUMPS Otis out, tags Gargano, and DIY sets up! MEET IN THE MIDDLE!! Cover, DIY ELIMINATES Alpha Academy! But that only brings out Indus Sher! Will the Modern Day Maharaja’s menacing proteges pulverize DIY?
#DIY VS Indus Sher w/ Jinder Mahal!
DIY attacks first, DROPKICK and BOOT sends Veer & Sanga down! But then the brawl continues on the outside, and Indus Sher pick DIY up, to SANDWICH and POST! Jinder approves as Veer stomps away on Gargano in the ring. Fans boo but Veer whips Gargano to ropes. And then THESZ PRESS! Tag to Sanga, and Indus Sher double whips to CLOBBER Gargano! Sanga BOOTS Ciampa for good measure, then tags Veer back in. They drag Gargano up from the apron, have him along the ropes, and Sanga runs to BOOT Gargano down! Fans boo but Indus Sher shouts “NAMASTE!” Veer then runs in, but Gargano dodges!
Gargano manages a sunset flip, and high stack! DIY ELIMINATES Indus Sher!! But while Indus Sher is furious for getting caught off guard, here come The Creed Brothers!
#DIY VS The Creed Brothers w/ Ivy Nile!
Ciampa hurries to reset, and he starts against Julius. They feel thigs out, Julius hits a fireman’s carry takeover and then an armlock. Tag to Brutus, and they hit a fireman’s carry takeover! Brutus sends Ciampa into Julius’ fireman’s carry takeover! Then they DOUBLE fireman’s carry takeover! Brutus has a cording hold to keep Ciampa back from Gargano, tag to Julius. Julius wrenches but Ciampa fires shots! Julius scoops, Ciampa slips free and hits a RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Fans fire up as both men crawl, hot tags to Brutus and Gargano! Gargano rallies on the Creeds! ENZIGURI for Julius! CHOP in a corner for Brutus! BULLDOG LARIAT COMBO!
Fans fire up and Gargano runs in at Brutus. Brutus puts him on the apron but Gargano PENALTY KICKS Julius, the SLINGSHOT SPEARS Brutus! Cover, TWO!! Brutus survives, Ivy is relieved, and fans rally up for “Johnny Wrestling!” Gargano feeds off that, tags in Ciampa, but Brutus sends DIY into each other! Ciampa sends Gargano back to ELBOW Brutus, then assisted SLICED BREAD! SLIDING KNEE! Cover, Julius breaks it! Gargano runs in, Julius TOSSES him out! Ciampa SLAPS Julius down, then goes back for Brutus. Brutus ROCKS Ciampa, SPLASHES him in the corner, and tags in Julius.
Julius feeds Ciampa to Brutus’ underhooks, then Julius runs, LEAP FROG FACEBUSTER! Cover, Gargano breaks it! Gargano TOSSES Brutus, then PLANCHAS! Fans fire up, Julius storms up on Ciampa and throws hands. Ciampa hits back, they go back and forth. Nashville is on Ciampa’s side, and he BOOTS! Then roll up! TWO!! Ciampa goes to a corner, Gargano tags in, GAMANGRI for Julius! Another BOOT, and DIY sets up again! MEET IN THE- BRUTUS POUNCES! Julius picks Gargano up, POWERBOMB! And deadlift, to then fireman’s carry! Tag to Brutus, and another pop-up, for the BRUTUS BALL DOOMSDAY!! Cover, Creeds ELIMINATE DIY!
Fans are stunned, but “it’s a New Day, yes it is!” The Creeds take on ELEVEN-TIME Tag Team Champions, who will make it through to face Imperium?
The Creed Brothers w/ Ivy Nile VS The New Day!
Woods starts against Julius, they tie up and Woods arm-drags! And SHOTGUNS! And then forearms! Tag to Kofi, Woods CHOPS and CHOPS and then feeds Julius into Kofi’s DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Kofi drags Julius up, brings him over, wrench and tag to Woods. Woods CLUBS the arm, wrenches it, and tag back to Kofi. Kofi goes up to DOUBLE STOMP the arm! Kofi pushes Julius down, covers, ONE!! Julius hangs tough but Kofi snapmares. Tag to Woods, PENALTY KICK! SLIDING LARIAT! IMPLODER SPLASH! ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Julius survives the speed blitz but fans rally behind the “NEW~ DAY~!”
Woods climbs up on Julius, rains down fists, but Julius stops him at five! Julius fights out of the corner but Woods trips Julius! And then Kofi SPLASHES in outta nowhere! Cover, TWO! Kofi clamps on with a chinlock and he grinds Julius down. Julius endures, fights up, and reaches out. Julius has Kofi as a backpack as he storms over, but Kofi slips around to knee low! Kofi cradles Julius, TWO! Julius has the cradle, then deadlifts Kofi from the mat! And the SLAM! Fans rally up as Julius crawls, as does Kofi. Hot tags to Woods and Brutus! Woods ducks ‘n’ dodges and slides to ROLLING ELBOW! Brutus rebounds, blocks the superkick and clinches! EXPLODER!
Fans rally as Woods goes to the apron. Brutus storms over, drags Woods up, and uses the ropes to deadlift Woods for a suplex! Cover, TWO! Woods toughs it out but Brutus tags Julius. The creeds whip to scoop and POWERSLAM! Brutus STANDING MOONSAULTS, and Julius STANDING SHOOTING STARS! Cover, TWO! Woods is still in this and the fans fire up. Julius drags Woods over, tags Brutus, and Brutus fireman’s carries. Julius runs, but Woods slips free and kicks Julius, TORNADO DDT! Cover, TWO! Brutus hangs in there, but Kofi tags in. Woods lifts Brutus, Kofi goes up, BACKBREAKER and the DIVING STOMPS! Cover, Julius breaks it!
Woods runs up on Julius to CLUB away on him! But Julius TOSSES Woods out! Kofi TOSSES Julius out! Kofi claps and the fans join in, “NEW! DAY ROCKS!” Brutus stands, but ducks Trouble in Paradise! Tag to Julius, he runs but Kofi trips him! Kofi hurries up top, CROSSBODY! But Julius rolls through and lifts Kofi! Woods is back but Julius BOOTS him! FALL AWAY SLAM for Kofi! Brutus MOONSAULTS out onto Woods! Tag to Brutus, Julius has Kofi up, BRUTUS BALL DOOMSDAY!! Cover, CREEDS ELIMINATE NEW DAY!! But now, here comes European Elegance! Will Ludwig Kaiser & Giovanni Vinci make Gunther proud by taking the golden tickets?
The Creed Brothers w/ Ivy Nile VS Imperium!
The brawl is on and fans fire up! Ludwig TOSSES Brutus, then he and Vinci mug Julius. The ref reprimands and counts, but Ludwig soaks up the heat. Vinci CLUBS Julius, Ludwig stomps Julius down, and Vinci stays legal. Ludwig sends Brutus into the desk! Julius whips, Vinci springboards to CROSSBODY! Vinci kicks Julius around, drags him up, and short arm LARIATS! Tag to Ludwig, he and Vinci taunt Julius, but Julius fights back! Fans fire up but it’s 2v1! Shove and SPINEBUSTER, then a PENALTY KICK! Ludwig shouts “NEIN!” but fans boo. Tag to Vinci and Ludwig goes up! Vinci hauls Julius up, IMPERIUM BOMB!! Cover, BRUTUS BREAKS IT!
Fans fire up but Ludwig tosses Brutus out. Ludwig tells Vinci to focus on Julius, but then Julius dumps Vinci out! Julius crawls, but he has no one to tag. Ludwig goes for legs, Julius boots him away! Julius hurries, Brutus is back, but Vinci intercepts! Julius dodges, hot tag to Brutus! Tag to Ludwig, but Brutus SMASH! He rallies on Imperium, clotheslines Ludwig up and out, and then SPINEBUSTER for Vinci! Brutus SMASH SMASH SMASH! Brutus snarls, gorilla crawls, then gets under Vinci to fireman’s carry! Ludwig CHOP BLOCKS a leg! Ludwig rains down fists but he isn’t the legal man! The ref counts, Ludwig fires off more furious shots, but lets off at 4.
Ludwig stands Brutus up to whip him into the corner. Ludwig runs in, blocks the boot, “NEIN!” And UPPERCUT! Vinci gets Brutus up, BACKBREAKER and a cover, TWO! Vinci clamps onto Brutus with shoulder claws but Brutus endures. Fans rally, Brutus fights up, and he arm-drags Vinci away! But DOUBLE BOOTS bring both men down! Vinci and Brutus crawl, hot tags to Ludwig and Julius! Julius clinches to OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY for Vinci! Another OVERHEAD for Ludwig! And another for Vinci! Ludwig fights the next one, Vinci adds on, but Julius DOUBLE NORTHERN LIGHTS!
Fans fire up for Julius, and he scoops to POWRSLAM Ludwig! Cover, Vinci breaks it! Vinci gets Julius up but Julius TOSSES Vinci! Ludwig rolls Julius up, TWO! Julius facelocks, Ludwig wrenches out and UPPERCUTS, then fireman’s carries. But Julius slips free to gut wrench and lift, POWERBOMB! Tag to Brutus, and they drag Ludwig up. Another Electric Chair, but Ludwig claws eyes! Vinci SHOVES Brutus down! Ludwig POSTS Julius! DISCUS LARIAT for Brutus! Tag to Vinci and Ludwig goes up. Vinci lifts Brutus, but Julius uses Vinci as a step up to get to Ludwig! Brutus runs with Vinci, SHELL SHOCK! Julius has Ludwig for a SUPERPLEX!!
Fans fire up again, “This is Awesome!” Brutus tags Julius back in, and they get Vinci up. Brutus climbs, Vinci fights desperately but can’t get free! BRUTUS BALL!! Cover, THE CREEDS WIN!
Winners: The Creed Brothers, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contenders to the Undisputed Tag Team Championships)
Diamond Mine doesn’t break, they thrive under pressure! But will Julius & Brutus be able to take down The Prince & Punisher to take those titles?
Judgment Day regroups backstage.
Rhea says Randy is dangerous, so Dom has to be absolutely focused. Finn walks in, he just finished watching Tag Team Turmoil. Those Creed Brothers are the real deal. Priest, we can’t take them lightly. Priest, you hearing them? Priest snaps out of his funk. He hears them. And he sees the look on their faces. Go ahead, say what you wanna say. They made him WarGames captain and he let them down. He lost the match, embarrassed them, let them all down. Go ahead, say it. Finn wasn’t gonna say any of that. Priest says no, he can tell. But Rhea says no, they’re a family. They all rise together and they all fall together.
Finn says yeah, don’t sweat it, it was one loss. They’re still champions, right? Dom says yeah, it’s all good. This is real? Yeah, 100%. Rhea says that just because Priest made himself team leader for WarGames and it didn’t go their way, that doesn’t mean they are gonna hold a grudge. Just relax. Priest says okay, that’s what families do, he appreciates it. And on that subject, how is McDonagh? Still getting checked out. Finn & Priest should go check on him. Good idea. The tag champs head out, but will their tensions be eased by the time they have to defend the titles?
Cody Rhodes is here!
Nashville fires up and sings along as the American Nightmare makes his way to the ring, “WHOA~ OH!” Cody goes to the ring and gets his pyro, “WHOA~ OH!” before he gets the mic. Fans cheer Cody on, and he gets fired up! Then he smiles and asks Nashville, “Whaddya wanna talk about?” Cody says so many stories stemming from this weekend. Here is one of gratitude. His team in WarGames was able to secure the victory, and Cody wants to thank each and every one of his teammates. Sami Zayn, #YeetMaster Jey Uso, the World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” And let’s not forget the man who came through, the Legend Killer, Randy Orton!
Fans cheer again, and Cody says Randy was a mentor, is still a mentor, and is a dear friend. They had a handful of memories before but they got a new one. Orton fed Priest to Cody for the Cross Rhodes and let him have the 1-2-3. But not just in any match, it was in his dad’s match. Fans cheer for “DUSTY! DUSTY!” and Cody gets a little teary eyed. The other story from Survivor Series: The WWE return of C M Punk. Fans are a bit torn, but plenty chant for Punk. Cody says no one knew that was gonna happen, and no one knows what will happen. That is why tonight, we’re all tuned in to see what Punk has to say. Here’s what Cody has to say: Welcome back.
But what’s the saying? Fishermen always spot other fishermen from afar. That is why Cody feels this news being made, all these stories, well Cody wants to make some news and make it right here. At this point, everyone here truly knows him. So there is only one destination for Cody now. And that is why, granted by Adam Pearce, Cody is the very first to declare for the 2024 Royal Rumble match!! Fans fire up for that! But then wait, the lights start going down? And then SHINSUKE NAKAMURA is on screen! “Cody… You are a brave hero who has won his battle. Now you say you need to continue your story. But, I need you to set me free. To awaken me. To evolve!”
Nakamura was patient to wait week after week, btu no more waiting! He will bring CHAOS to Cody! And then the REAL Nakamura is already behind Cody!! RED MIST!!! Cody writhes and fans boo but Nakamura grins a sinister smile. The King of Strong Style takes a bow, will he destroy the American Nightmare’s dreams?
Bronson Reed VS Ivar w/ Sarah Logan!
As if tonight wasn’t already a big night, things are about to get massive! Will Auszilla wipe out the War Beard with a Tsunami? Or will the chosen warrior slay this real life kaiju?
The bell rings and the two tie up. Ivar shoves Bronson, he and Ivar RAM! They throw clotheslines back and forth, and fans rally up with “Let’s Go, Meat! Let’s Go, Meat!” Ivar runs, Bronson swings but Ivar dodges to RAM him! But Bronson comes back, BODY CHECK! Fans rally up again and Bronson ELBOW DROPS! Ivar goes to a corner, Bronson runs in, but into a SEATED SENTON! Ivar drags Bronson up, reels him in, but Bronson blocks the suplex, to suplex! Fans fire up, Ivar bails out, and Bronson goes to the apron. But Sarah stands in the way! Then Ivar YANKS Bronson down, and HEEL KICKS him down!
Bronson sits back, Ivar SPLASHES him against the LED apron! Fans boo but Sarah revels in it as Raw goes picture in picture.
Ivar drags Bronson up and into the ring, then kicks him to a corner. Ivar throws elbows, then body shots! Ivar snarls as he sets Bronson up for more elbows. Ivar ROCKS Bronson, DECKS him, then runs to SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Ivar clamps on to CLUB Bronson in the chest. Ivar clamps on a chinbar to twist the neck, but Bronson endures. Bronson fights to his feet, but Ivar Viking Chops! And he fires off hands! Ivar whips, Bronson reverses and Ivar hits buckles hard! Ivar tumbles up and down the corner even! Bronson storms up on Ivar, brings him up to HEADBUTT, and has him in a corner. Bronson RAMS into Ivar, but Ivar CLUBS in return!
The ref counts, Bronson lets off to HEADBUTT Ivar, and then he CHOKES Ivar on the ropes! The ref counts, Bronson lets off, and he brings Ivar up to HEADBUTT! Bronson clamps on a chinlock now and he squeezes tight. Ivar endures, fights up, and throws body shots. Bronson ROCKS Ivar, whips him to ropes, but Ivar ducks ‘n’ dodges, and DOUBLE LARIATS take both behemoths down! The fans rally while both men stir, and Bronson sits up. Ivar follows, and Ivar throws hands! Bronson hits back, they throw shots back and forth. Raw returns, fans chant “BEEF!” with the shots! Bronson HEADBUTTS Ivar to a corner, then SPLASHES!
Bronson CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! MACHINE GUN CHOPS! Fans fire up, but Bronson swings again. Ivar dodges to ELBOW! And ELBOW, ELBOW, ELBOW! Fans fire up and Ivar spins, but the kick is blocked! Bronson SUPERKICKS! Ivar goes to a corner, Bronson runs in but into a BOOT! Ivar runs, into a SAMOAN DROP! Fans fire up as Bronson then SENTONS! Cover, TWO! Fans rally and Bronson stalks Ivar. Ivar rises, Bronson ripcords but Ivar dodges! Ivar scoops to SPINNING POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO!! Bronson survives and Ivar grows frustrated. Ivar drags Bronson to a drop zone, then he climbs up the corner!
Fans fire up as Ivar reaches the top, for the DOOM-SAULT! But he FLOPS as Bronson moves! Bronson now goes up and fans fire up again! Sarah distracts and fans boo! The ref reprimands, Bronson hurries down, and Ivar goes to the far side. The ref EJECTS Sarah! The fans fire up for that, Bronson runs at Ivar, but Ivar dodges! Ivar clotheslines Bronson out of the ring! Then Ivar goes to the apron, to CROSSBODY, but Bronson catches hiM! And SLAMS him! And then TOSSES him over barriers! Fans rally, a ring count starts, and Ivar BOOTS Bronson in return! Ivar drags Bronson over railing, we’re at 5 of 10!
Ivar DECKS Bronson, goes up the barrier, but Bronson hits him low! DEATH VALLEY DRIVER through the barriers!! And the count is TEN!!
Double Count-Out Draw
Fans fire up for more, and Ivar SMACKS Bronson with a chair! Ivar ROCKS Bronson, and this goes into the crowd now! Bronson HEADBUTTS, but Ivar sends him into the technical staff! The forearms fly, Bronson throws more HEADBUTTS! Ivar throws more forearms, security rushes in, but they get CLOBBERED! Adam Pearce reprimands, but Bronson scoops a guy to TOSS him at Ivar!! Fans cheer and Bronson revels in it, but Ivar goes up onto a road case! CANNONBALL onto Bronson and security!! Producers rush out here, they get Ivar away from Bronson while Nashville loses their minds! Bronson and Ivar shout that this isn’t done, but then when and where will this end?
Zoey Stark stalks with Shayna Baszler backstage.
Stark feels how close she was to beating Rhea. Shayna says yeah, she gave Rhea a good fight. She’ll get another shot, just relax. Right, Shayna’s right. But Nia walks in and sarcastically applauds. “Congrats, champ. Oh, that’s right, Zoey, you had a great match against Rhea at Survivor Series, and you took her to her limit, but you fell a little short, didn’t ya? And ya lost.” It should’ve been Nia against Rhea because then she’d be champ. But Nia will still tear through the division, so every woman should be on notice. That includes Zoey and Shayna. Shayna tells Nia to do us all a favor and “shut your hole,” before someone breaks your arm and puts you on the shelf, again.
Zoey says she’s got this, she doesn’t need someone standing up for her. So Nia, if you want a fight, then they can go 1v1 tonight. Nia says that’s exactly what she wanted. Nia heads out, Zoey and Shayna can’t deal, but will the Irresistible Force turn the Hunter into the Hunted?
Judgment Day regroups again.
But Priest, Finn & McDonagh can’t believe it. R-TRUTH is on their couch, eating jelly rolls, and has gotten powdered sugar EVERYWHERE! And all he can say is, “Wassup, dawg?” Finn asks what the hell! Truth found a comfy place to eat this award winning jelly rolls. Truth… This is THEIR clubhouse! And now it’s a mess! Yeah, and they don’t have a TV. But he heard they wanted a fifth member for WarGames, and so sign him up. Truth… That was Saturday! No! Yep. Did they win? How’d he do? Priest says Truth wasn’t in there, and they lost anyway, thanks for the reminder. Oh, sorry. Cheer up, though. Randy Orton’s back! Ain’t that cool?
The Judgment Day tell Truth to get out! Are they sure they don’t want any jelly rolls? NO!! NOW GO! Truth leaves, the couch is ruined, and McDonagh says he’ll take care of Truth. Is the Irish Ace going to make Truth wish he had stayed gone?
Nia Jax VS Zoey Stark!
Raw returns and Stark makes her entrance. The bell rings and Nia runs in! Zoey slide sunder, KICKS and KICKS and KICKS, then runs to ROCK Nia! But Nia grabs Zoey to lift her up and TOSS her to a corner. Nia runs in, into a BOOT! Zoey boots again, Nia blocks to put her on the apron, but Zoey ROUNDHOUSES! And slingshots, but Nia ROCKS her! Fans boo but Nia tells them to shut up. Nia storms up on Zoey, drags her up, and TOSSES her, but Zoey handsprings through! Zoey runs back in, but Nia catches her, for a POWERSLAM! Nia mocks the fans cheering on Zoey, tells them to shut up, then TOSSES Zoey again!
Zoey ends up in another corner, Nia runs in to SPLASH! Nia throws Zoey away, then runs at her, but Zoey sends her out! Nia is furious and shouts at Maggle. Zoey goes up and up and FLYING LARIATS! The fans fire up and Zoey stomps Nia as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Nia has Zoey in a torture rack! Zoey endures, throws elbows, and gets free! Then she JAWBREAKERS! Nia wobbles, but she still ELBOWS Zoey down! Nia storms up on Zoey, stalks her and stands on her, then drags her up. The fans rally but Nia hoists Zoey up. Zoey fights with fists! Zoey tries but Nia stops the Rana, to SWING Zoey into buckles! Fans boo but Nia soaks it up. Nia drags Zoey out, dribbles her off the mat, then drags her up to scoop. Zoey slips free to SUPERKICK! And SUPERKICK! Zoey kicks the legs out, runs, but into a BODY CHECK! Nia snarls, runs in at the corner, but Zoey dodges to POST Nia!
Fans fire up as Zoey pushes Nia down, and ARABIAN CORKSCREW SENTONS! And then SLIDING BOOT! Cover, TWO! Nia is still in this but Zoey grits her teeth. Zoey drags Nia up but Nia HEADBUTTS her away. Nia runs in to SPLASH at the corner, and Zoey sits down. Nia runs in to HIP ATTACK! And then Nia drags Zoey into a drop zone, goes up the corner, but Zoey moves! SUPERKICK to the legs! Nia gets stuck, Zoey STOMPS her down! Deep stack, TWO!! Nia gets free, but Zoey goes to the apron. Zoey springboards and MISSILE DROPKICKS! Cover, TWO! Nia is tough but the fans are behind Zoey!
Zoey CLUBS away on Nia, then roars! Zoey goes up a corner, fans rally as she climbs, but Nia hits ropes to trip Zoey up! Fireman’s carry to a SAMOAN DROP! Nia isn’t done, she runs to drop a SENTON! And that’s still not enough! Nia drags Zoey into a corner and climbs up! A-NIA-LATOR!! Cover, Nia wins!
Winner: Nia Jax, by pinfall
The Irresistible Force could not be stopped, she puts another name on the list! Will it only be a matter of time before she steamrolls even Rhea Ripley?
Imperium regroups backstage.
Ludwig and Vinci argue over their loss, and Gunther walks over. Der Ring General expects them both to go to Adam Pearce and sort out this DIY issue. Vinci promises- Oh, Vinci promises?! Ludwig says HE promises to get it done. They head out together, Gunther grumbles, but then he turns around to see The Miz. Miz asks if there’s trouble. What does Miz want? Miz says he heard Gunther’s comments during the Survivor Series press conference. Gunther said his next challenger should be someone who challenges him to his face. Well here Miz is! Gunther chuckles. Is Miz sure about this? Oh, he’s real sure.
Miz is sure he CAN beat Gunther and take that title. Miz know sit, and now Gunther knows. Gunther knows that Miz is no threat to his legendary reign. But Miz did stand up for himself so Gunther gives him that. Miz came prepared for a fight. Miz can claim he belongs in that ring, just not with Gunther. So is that a no on a rematch from their great Survivor Series showdown? Or will the Hollywood A-Lister find a way to get that sequel made?
Seth Rollins is here!
Nashville fires up and sings along “OH~ OHH~ OHHH~” as the World Heavyweight Champion makes his way to the ring. The Visionary is feeling good after the WarGames win, but might be feeling some kinda way after seeing CM Punk return. We hear what is on Rollins’ mind, after the break.
Raw returns and the fans are still singing, “OH~ OHH~ OHHH~!” Rollins has the mic to say, “NASVILLE~! Welcome… to Mondaaay! Niiight! Rolliiins!” And he is a Visionary, he is a Revolutionary, he IS Seth FREAKIN’ Rollins! The singing returns, but there are also some “C M PUNK!” chants. Rollins takes off his sunglasses and says go on then. Come on with it. Is that all they got, Punk fans? Yeah, get it out of your system, because tell you what. Rollins won’t spend one more second, one more ounce of energy, on that hypocrite! Fans get riled up and Rollins says instead of talking about someone who don’t matter at all, let’s talk about what matters most!
Let’s talk about the title that for the last six months, Rollins has built into the most IMPORTANT title in this entire industry! Fans cheer that, and the singing returns. Now, Nashville, Rollins has to be real. Two days out from WarGames, he is not feeling too good. But he’s starting to get that itch again. He’s starting to get the itch to be a fighting champion again. And he went and saw Adam Pearce earlier today. They sat in the office, talked about- DREW MCINTYRE!? The Scottish Warrior walks down to the ring and Nashville is a bit torn. McIntyre gets a mic to say it has been a crazy 48 hours around here, hasn’t it?
Goodness, people are talking about a lot of things, about what happened outside the ring with McIntyre and Rollins, but they both know what is more important: what happens in the ring. So McIntyre wants to shake Rollins’ hands to congratulate him on the win in WarGames. Rollins accepts, and McIntyre then says Judgment Day had some master plan. They promised Jey Uso on a silver platter, but McIntyre didn’t get Jey, and the real plan was losing, so that’s one hell of a plan. Jey’s been driving McIntyre mental, and McIntyre realized these last 48 hours that he needs to refocus. Jey is on the backburner, McIntyre will focus on what is most important: the World Heavyweight Championship.
Now does Rollins remember what he said before their match at Crown Jewel? Rollins chuckles and says yes, he does. He told McIntyre that when Rollins beats McIntyre, McIntyre would have no one to blame but himself. And that it’d be the best thing to ever happen to him. Was Rollins right? Yes, 100% right. McIntyre has no one but to blame but himself for losing at Crown Jewel. And Rollins surely remembers that one point in the match. If anyone wants to watch it back, there was a point where McIntyre had Rollins on the steps, dropped him on the apron, and Rollins rolled into the ring. McIntyre could see it in Rollins’ eyes that he was finished.
That is where McIntyre should’ve struck. But something came over him as he saw Rollins writhing in pain. It was sympathy and compassion. Something about thinking of Rollins with his daughter backstage, it felt the urge to tell Rollins it was okay and it was over. McIntyre took Rollins by the face to say that, and Rollins SLAPS him! McIntyre deserved that slap, that was on him. Acting like that with Rollins, Rollins was always gonna win. To swim with shark, you gotta become the biggest shark of all. So no more sympathy, no more compassion, forget Jey Uso, McIntyre wants a damn rematch!
Rollins says if there’s one thing he has always respected from McIntyre, it is his honesty. And to be honest with McIntyre, Rollins does believe McIntyre deserves a rematch. The problem is, Rollins also believes there are some others who deserve an opportunity more. And that, Nashville, is why Rollins came out here tonight. He talked with Pearce, and he wanted to tell everyone right here, next week, Rollins defends the World Heavyweight Championship LIVE on Monday Night Raw! Fans cheer, McIntyre sighs, and he says Rollins is the champ, he calls the shot. But can McIntyre ask who the match is with?
Rollins is hesitant. Rollins says okay, he’ll just say it. It’s Jey Uso. Fans chant “YEET! YEET! YEET!” and McIntyre looks dumbfounded. Rollins says this wasn’t personal, it- GLASGOW KISS HEADBUTT!! Fans are stunned as McIntyre busts his own forehead open with that shot! And as he said, no more compassion! He RAMS Rollins into a corner, then OVERHEAD SUPLEXES! McIntyre gets in Rollins’ face again and asks if this really isn’t personal. JEY USO of all people?! McIntyre BEAT Jey two weeks ago!! He should be head of him! McIntyre throws down another HEADBUTT! But here comes Jey!
Fans fire up as Jey storms up to the ring, slides in, and he dodges McIntyre to fire off haymakers! The fans chant “YEET! YEET! YEET!” with every shot! Jey pops ‘n’ locks and ROCKS McIntyre! Then SUPERKICKS! Rollins is up, he and Jey DOUBLE SUPERKICK! Fans fire up while McIntyre is in retreat. Jey then picks up the world title, looks at it, but smiles and hands it over to Rollins. Fans cheer but will Main Event Jey finally reach the mountaintop next week?
Sami Zayn confronts McIntyre backstage.
McIntyre tells him not now but Sami says no, he needs to hear this. Sami doesn’t know what’s going on with McIntyre, but c’mon. He can’t beat Rollins so he has to headbutt him when he’s not ready? McIntyre says Rollins has something against him, and Sami doesn’t know what he’s going through. Oh, Sami doesn’t know? Guess what? You’re not the only one who’s had disappointments around here! McIntyre lost out on the Universal Championship against Roman Reigns in front of his family? So did Sami! McIntyre came up seconds short of beating Rollins? So did Sami! Every disappointment McIntyre’s had in his career, Sami’s had that times TEN!
The difference is, when Sami falls down, he dusts himself off, picks himself up and keeps moving forward because he knows the endgame for him is becoming World Heavyweight Champion! McIntyre has already been a world champion twice, and he’s 6’6″, 300 pounds of pure muscle! He has everything going for him, but he’s acting like a spoiled little brat. Sami says McIntyre is better than that. McIntyre says maybe Sami’s got a point. Maybe McIntyre should be taking everyone’s advice, including his own, and fighting his way up the ladder. He can go talk with Pearce to get a match next week. With Sami.
McIntyre heads out, and while Sami stood up to do the right thing, did he also just step on a landmine? Or better yet, in front of a Claymore?
WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Chelsea Green & Piper Niven VS Natalya & Tegan Nox!
The Hot Mess & Scottish Viper have been avoiding a fight with the Queen of Harts & Welsh Firecracker but there’s no running from it now! Will Chelsea & Piper be able to survive the Raw after Survivor Series? Or will Natty & Nox finally shut them up?
Raw returns and the champs make their entrance. The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who really runs the Women’s Tag Division!
The teams sort out and Chelsea starts against Natty. They tie up before the bell, then go around. Natty trips Chelsea, floats to a facelock but Chelsea wrenches out. Chelsea grinds forearms into Natty’s face, puts her on ropes, then whips. Natty reveres but Chelsea reverses back, but Natty rolls over the dropdown. Chelsea whips again but Natty ELBOWS her, then DISCUS LARIATS! Natty goes for the legs but Chelsea kicks her away! Tag to Piper while fans boo. Piper storms up on Natty, she and Natty tie up but Natty waistlocks. Piper pries free, HEADBUTTS Natty to a corner, and runs in, but Natty POSTS her!
Tag to Nox, she runs up to wheelbarrow and STUNNER! Nox keeps going, PENALTY KICK! Tag back to Natty and Nox brings Piper up, for the CROSSBODY! Natty cheers herself and the fans join in as Raw goes picture in picture.
Natty tells Chelsea to kiss this, then she gets the fans cheering again. Natty stomps Piper, drags her from ropes, and steps through. Chelsea distracts the ref, Nox tells her to stop it, but now the ref is busy with Nox. Piper kicks Natty away and Chelsea is there to cheap shot her! Piper then runs up to SENTON! Cover, TWO! Piper tags Chelsea, Chelsea climbs and Piper sets Natty up, MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Chelsea taunts Nox, drags Natty up and taunts her, but Natty throws body shots! But Chelsea throws Natty down by her hair! Chelsea mocks the fans cheering Natty on, then stalks her to ropes.
Chelsea drags Natty over, tags Piper, and Piper scoops Natty to SLAM her! Then Piper scoops Chelsea to SLAM her onto Natty! Chelsea wants to go again, so Piper scoops and SLAMS her onto Natty again! Nox protests, the ref keeps her from getting involved, and then Chelsea tries to scoop Piper? Yeah, not that easy… Piper scoops Chelsea to SLAM her onto Natty a third time! Cover but the ref is busy telling Chelsea to go. The ref finally sees the cover, TWO! Piper keeps cool and she HIP DROPS Natty down! Piper taunts Nox, keeps Natty from Nox, but Natty and Nox reach out! Piper reels Natty in, short arm LARIAT!
Piper tells the rf to deal with Nox but the ref knocks to watch Chelsea. Chelsea plays innocent but Piper bumps Natty off buckles. Piper tags Chelsea, and Chelsea RAMS into Natty! And again! Tag back to Piper and Raw returns to single picture. Piper cobra clutches and ripcords so Chelsea can SLAP Natty, then Piper CLOBBERS her! Fans rally but Chelsea drags Natty back to the corner. Chelsea puts Natty up top, climbs up after her, but Natty hits back! Natty hits Piper, too! Natty sends Chelsea down, adjusts, but Chelsea is back up! Natty slips under to carry Chelsea out, SIT OUT POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!!
Chelsea survives but Natty hurries for her corner! Hot tag to Nox! Fans fire up and Nox rallies on the champs! Nox fires off hands, then LARIATS Chelsea! And again! And UPPERCUTS! Fans fire up with Nox and she runs up, but Chelsea SLAPS her! Nox just laughs! Nox HEADBUTTS, then reels Chelsea in. GOURD BUSTER, and then a KNEE for Piper! Piper tumbles down, Chelsea runs in at the corner, but Nox slips out to the apron! ROUNDHOUSE! Chelsea wobbles, Nox goes up, MOLLY-GO-ROUND! Cover, Piper breaks it! Piper drags Chelsea to their corner and tags herself in. Chelsea staggers after Nox but Nox rolls her up!
Chelsea rolls through to CODE BREAKER! Piper SENTONS onto it all! Cover, Natty breaks it! Fans cheer, Natty drags Piper up but Piper ROCKS her and TOSSES her! Piper tags Chelsea back in, and Chelsea storms up on Nox. Chelsea has the arms, but Nox shoves her away! Piper tags back in, Chelsea TOSSES Nox! Nox drags Chelsea out with her! Chelsea kicks Nox away, then CROSSBODIES, but Nox & Natty catch her! They DOUBLE SUPLEX her into barriers! Fans fire up, but here comes Piper! CANNONBALL!! Fans fire up and Piper puts Nox back in the ring. Piper runs, for the BASEMENT SPLASH!! Cover, Piper & Chelsea win!
Winners: Chelsea Green & Piper Niven, by pinfall (still WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions)
Once again, Piper does all the hard work to keep these belts on her and Chelsea. Chelsea smiles and celebrates, but will there come a time when even Piper isn’t enough to save this team?
Jey Uso talks with Randy Orton backstage.
Jey doesn’t want any trouble. Just wanted to find Orton before Orton found him. Is that so? Yeah. Jey wants to thank Orton for having their back at WarGames. And if it means anything, Jey heard about those receipts. He is sorry how everything went down back in the day. Cody gave Jey a second chance here on Raw, Jey is trying to do right by everyone. He wants to leave the past in the past. Orton understands that. Listen, Uce, Orton has been watching. He’s seen how these past few months, hell maybe longer than that, but Jey has had Cody’s back. Jey has had a lot of people’s backs. Cody trusts Jey, those other guys trust Jey, that goes a long way.
So as far as Orton is concerned, bygones are bygones. But Orton is handling unfinished business with The Bloodline. So long as Jey is out, they’re good. They shake hands on it and Jey wishes Orton luck. Orton thanks Jey, and now he has one less name on the list. But will Jey’s name just be replaced by Dirty Dom’s? That main event happens next!
Backstage interview with Becky Lynch.
Jackie Redmond is with The Man, and notes that just 48 hours ago, she was in her own WarGames match in Chicago, and came out the winner. How is she feeling now after such an epic battle? Well, she feels like she went to war in an epic battle, and she hopes she looks it. But Saturday was a night about making amends. There is a thin line between love and hate, and she never knows when one switches from one side to the other. But enough about that, she wants to talk tonight! The Man has come around to Nashville. And there’s a couple fights on the horizon, one more pressing than the other. Becky heads out, what fight could she mean?
Randy Orton VS Dominik Mysterio w/ JD McDonagh!
Raw returns and Orton makes his entrance. The bell rings and fans cheer on Orton. Orton and Dom circle, they tie up, and Orton powers Dom to a corner. The ref counts, Orton pushes Dom around and lets off. Dom sucker punches Orton! Fans chant “Who’s Your Daddy?” Dom runs, but gets run over! Dom bails out and regroups with McDonagh. McDonagh coaches Dom up, Dom rushes back in, but Orton fires haymakers! Orton has Dom on ropes, UPPERCUTS him, then whips Dom to back drop! Dom writhes from the crash landing and fans fire up as Raw goes picture in picture.
Dom bails out, wants mercy, but Orton storms up to the ropes. Dom gets away, so Orton strikes his pose. Dom wants a mic? No, there’s no time for that. Dom storms around, complains about something, maybe he’s missing his Mami. Orton smirks as Dom keeps pacing around but the ring count starts. Orton goes out after Dom to CLOBBER him! Orton chases McDonagh away while mocking his bad neck. Dom staggers up but Orton UPPERCUTS him down! Orton brings Dom around, Dom throws hands, but Orton SMACKS him off the desk! Orton puts Dom in and then stalks him, to trip him and have the leg.
Orton brings Dom around to stomp him in the stomach! Orton digs his heel in, then stomps a leg! Dom writhes and flounders to a corner but Orton is on him again. Orton whips corner to corner hard and Dom bounces off buckles. Orton drags Dom to a cover, TWO, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Orton drags Dom up while fans again chant “Who’s Your Daddy?” Orton TOSSES Dom out, storms out after him, and McDonagh hobbles away. Orton stands Dom up, to back- NO, Dom slips out of the back suplex, CLUBS Orton and RAMS him into steel steps! Fans boo while Orton writhes, Dom is after that repaired back and shoulder! Dom puts Orton in the ring, covers, TWO! Dom is annoyed by the count but the ref says his count is fair. Dom clamps on a chinlock, he squeezes Orton’s neck, but Orton fights up. Fans rally and Orton throws body shots. Dom CLUBS Orton, whips him to a corner, but Orton comes back to CLBOBER him!
Orton rallies on Dom, ducks him and SPIN POWERSLAMS! Fans fire up with Orton and he is feeling it! Orton puts Dom in the ropes, brings him out, and he grins at McDonagh as he hits the DRAPING DDT! Fans fire up again and Orton soaks it up. Because Orton’s hearing those voices! McDonagh drags Dom to safety! Fans boo, McDonagh asks what they’re all looking at. Wait, Jelly Roll is up front! Fans cheer as Jelly stands up. Jelly and JD argue, and Jelly shoves JD! Fans fire up as now Dom gets mad! So Jelly shoves Dom! Orton high-fives Jelly, goes back for Dom, and hits that BACK SUPLEX TO THE DESK!
Dom writhes and flops off the desk but fans want that one more time! Orton drags Dom up, brings him back around, and indeed, another BACK SUPLEX TO THE DESK! Orton puts Dom in, but McDonagh gets on the apron. Orton gets him for a DRAPING DDT! McDonagh writhes, Dom DROPKICKS Orton onto ropes! Dom dials it up, 619! Dom hurries up top, FROG SPLASH FLOPS! Orton aims, R K O!! Fans are thunderous, Orton covers, Orton wins!
Winner: Randy Orton, by pinfall
The Viper had a successful return to the ring at WarGames, and he has another successful return here tonight! Dom & McDonagh retreat, will Mami not be happy about this?
CM Punk is here!
Nashville fires up one more time and sings along with Cult of Personality. Punk goes to the ring, and gets a mic as the fans chant his name. Punk then says, “Looks like Hell just froze over.” Fans cheer that! And Punk means that as in, this is him, standing in a WWE ring, on Monday Night Raw, with a mic in his hand. He doesn’t mean that apparently, a Blackhawks fan is actually getting love inside the Predators’ territory. Sorry, had to say it. He’s gotta be himself. And lately, he’s been feeling a little more like himself ever since Saturday. That is a career highlight for him, and he’s been trying to come up with the words to explain exactly how he feels.
He has two words that he’s afraid to say. Not because they’re not true. It’s because he’s scared of how true they actually are. It is a bit corner, it won’t sound like CM Punk, but he’s a changed man. Once upon a time, an American Dream taught him that as long as you speak from the heart, you cannot go wrong, because it is the truth. So this is the truth: “I’m home.” Fans cheer that! Punk says he has come back to this familiar place, and he didn’t know how he was gonna react, he didn’t know how it was gonna go, but it has made him feel like himself again. Because this is where Punk belongs! This is home! And he’s been gone for TEN YEARS!
And yet for those ten years, no one ever forgot him, even when he maybe wanted to forget himself. And that is powerful stuff. The fans are all powerful. A bunch of continents, countries, arenas all over the world, people watching at home, they never stopped chanting his name. The fans chant it now! Punk says the Voiceless found their voice, and he couldn’t be more proud. He heard them, that is why he is back. Because he loves them! He loves them! He loves them, missed them, missed all of this, and wishes he could say he didn’t have to leave. But once upon a time, a Wise Man told him that for him to get everything he wants out of this place, he’d have to leave it and come back.
Hate to say it, but the Wise Man was right. But that is why Punk is back. He wants to get everything he needs out of this place. He is back for the fans because the fans are home. Fans cheer that! Saturday was an amazing moment, Monday is an amazing moment. He wants the words to explain how it feels, but in front of and behind the camera, it’s nothing but love, nothing but hugs. It feels like a family reunion. Everybody back there is happy to see Punk, a few kissed him, it is all “Welcome back, welcome home, we’ve missed you, we’re happy to see you. How’s AJ?” And AJ lee is fabulous and sends her regards. Fans cheer that most of all!
Punk says everyone has welcomed him back with open arms. Except… Some are afraid. They’re afraid of the truth, of what they don’t understand, but Punk understands. Everything he has ever wanted has always been right here. The competition, week in and week out, competes to be the Best in the World, but the Best in the World hasn’t been here in almost ten years. Punk understands being afraid. They’re afraid he’s set the bar to an unobtainable level, that he has the brass ring in his back pocket. That the most dangerous and controversial, feared man in this business, walked in and there’s nothing they can do about it.
Some are afraid that tomorrow, they’ll have to come to terms with how their best efforts at being the Best in the World in this ring, on this mic, even at commentary, isn’t just false, but a lie! Because the Best in the World is back, standing in this ring, live and in living color, in Nashville, Tennessee on a Monday night, and his name is… C M PUNK!! He’s baaack~! “I’m not here to make friends, I’m here to make money.” Will Punk prove he is still the Best in the World? Or will that be hard to do even for him?
My Thoughts:
A great Raw to follow Survivor Series, especially with everything they had to build upon. A touch disappointed Tag Team Turmoil wasn’t pretty much the entire commercial free first hour to give everyone a lot of time, and rather surprised that the Creeds won out. But at the same time, not that surprised, given that DIY and Imperium still have to settle things. But I’m a little surprised they didn’t give New Day a shot at Judgment Day, that feud is probably simmering for WrestleMania season. Creeds can still have a good feud with Judgment Day, Ivy can even step to Rhea, but I don’t see them winning the titles.
Great promos throughout the night with the winners and losers of WarGames. Orton and Rhea interacting was really fun, and of course Dom gets in trouble because of it. Great main event match from them with McDonagh of course there to also get whooped. And also good interaction of Jey and Orton to bypass Jey VS Orton happening. Orton is going strong, but I don’t expect him to just shoot up to the world title. Maybe he has a good showing in the Royal Rumble, but I bet he alters course to go after like the Intercontinental Championship and Gunther. Gunther had a good promo with Imperium and also with Miz, that’ll be a fun rematch before Gunther gets on his Road to WrestleMania.
Speaking of Rumble, great promo from Cody to not just declare for Rumble, but to also put WarGames into a heartfelt perspective. And then Nakamura going after Cody, great move there to help them both build momentum to Rumble. Awesome promo stuff with Rollins and McIntyre to give McIntyre’s Heel turn more heat, I busted up laughing that it was Jey getting his shot against Rollins next. McIntyre and Sami also have a great promo, and that rematch of the two of them is going to be great, too. And I just about died laughing during R-Truth’s promo with the Judgment Day. What a great way to bring Truth back, he is a national treasure.
Also really good promo from Becky, and maybe, just maybe, she’s saying she’s gonna go after Rhea now? Thought it was gonna be Nia, but she and Zoey had a good promo and match, maybe Nia has to get through the others first, meaning Shayna is next. Really good women’s tag title match but that could’ve been a touch better. Something seemed a touch off, who knows what. But Chelsea & Piper retaining is fine, because this is all leading to Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn taking those belts back. I kinda wished something had happened while we lingered on Chelsea smiling and waving after the win. Maybe they start on that build this Friday.
Awesome stuff from Bronson VS Ivar, though the crowd didn’t get into it right away. Great move to have it be a count out draw and then a brawl, they’re definitely gonna up the ante next time. And then CM Punk of course had the closing moment tonight. I had another laugh when Punk said he was “back home” in the WWE, perhaps out of surprise and how that buries his time in AEW. But whatever any of us think about Punk, from egotistical to hypocritical to emotional to passionate, he’s back, but also, this is it. He messes up here, he is done. He can’t go back to AEW, likewise can’t go to AEW’s friends like NJPW, and he clearly doesn’t want to go anywhere “small time” like Impact or NWA. He needs to keep it under control this time or lose whatever’s left of his legacy.
My Score: 8.8/10
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Will the Headbanga & Young Guerrilla have to tranquilo?
The NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions have been rolling through World Tag League, but will that roll come to a screeching halt against Yota Tsuji & Zandokan Jr?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- 8 Man Tag: Tomoaki Honma, Yuto Nakashima & The Gates of Agony VS Bullet Club War Dogs; Bullet Club War Dogs win.
- Six Man Tag: The United Empire VS The House of Torture; The United Empire wins.
- Six Man Tag: Chaos VS TMDK; Chaos wins.
- Six Man Tag: Shota Umino, Ren Narita & Oskar Leube VS Kaito Kiyomiya, Ryohei Oiwa & Boltin Oleg; Kaito, Oiwa & Oleg win.
- 2023 World Tag League, B Block: Lance Archer & Alex Zayne VS Atlantis Jr. & Soberano Jr; Archer & Zayne win.
- 2023 World Tag League, B Block: Bishamon VS Bad Luck Fale & Jack Bonza; Bishamon wins.
- 2023 World Tag League, B Block: Yuji Nagata & Minoru Suzuki VS Taichi & Yuya Uemura; Taichi & Yuya win.
- 2023 World Tag League, B Block: El Phantasmo & Hikuleo VS Yota Tsuji & Zandokan Jr; Tsuji & Zandokan win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Here are the current B Block standings.
Taichi & Yuya Uemura: 2-0, 4 points
Alex Zayne & Lance Archer: 2-0, 4 points
Atlantis Jr. y Soberano Jr: 2-0, 4 points
ELP & Hikuleo: 1-1, 2 points
Yota Tsuji & Zandokan Jr: 1-1, 2 points
Bishamon: 0-2, 0 points
Bad Luck Fale & Jack Bonza: 0-2, 0 points
Yuji Nagata & Minoru Suzuki: 0-2, 0 points
2023 World Tag League, B Block: Lance Archer & Alex Zayne VS Atlantis Jr. & Soberano Jr!
The Monster Sauce just pinned the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions while the sons of lucha managed to bring down the Rogue Army. Both teams are 2-0 but still hungry for more, so who is eating their first loss here tonight?
Zayne is for some reason suddenly shy, and he keeps his jacket closed as he walks out here. Archer doesn’t understand why, either. He claims he’s cold? Archer insists he put the jacket aside, so Zayne reluctantly does, revealing he is just wearing basketball shorts. Did his luggage not make it? Well, the teams sort out, Archer starts against Atlantis and the bell rings. Fans rally up as the two tie up, and Archer laughs at he puts Atlantis in the corner. The ref counts, Archer lets off with pats on the shoulder, and the two reset. They approach, Atlantis gets around and throws a forearm! Archer doesn’t budge!
Archer takes a swing, Atlantis bobs ‘n’ weaves, runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges then CHOPS! Atlantis whips, Archer reverses but Atlantis holds ropes. Archer runs in, Atlantis dodges and comes back, but Archer puts him on the apron. Archer runs in but Atlantis shoulders him back! Atlantis slingshots but Archer stays up! Archer drags Atlantis up, TOSSES him to a corner, and then runs corner to corner. Atlantis dodges to BLAST Zayne, and Soberano GAMANGIRIS Archer! Atlantis & Soberano stomp away on Archer, the ref counts but they let off. Fans fire up and the luchadores mug Archer to then double whip. Archer swings but they dodge the double lariats!
Soberano runs back in but Archer catches his crossbody! Archer BOOTS Atlantis then FALL AWAY SLAMS Soberano! Zayne runs in, UPPERCUTS Atlantis then UPPERCUTS in the corner! Archer ELBOWS Atlantis, then helps Zayne with the HIP TOSS CANNONBALL! Fans fire up and Archer drags Atlantis up. Archer bumps Atlantis off buckles, then tags Zayne. Fans cheer and Zayne CLUBS Atlantis down. Zayne drags Atlantis up to ROCK him, and Atlantis falls back towards a corner. Zayne stands Atlantis up to knee low, then reels him in. Tag to Archer, Zayne scoops to SLAM! And then Archer scoops Zayne to SLAM him on Atlantis! Cover, TWO!
Archer argues with the ref and chases him around. Archer then goes back to Atlantis to snap suplex! Archer talks trash on Soberano then stands on Atlantis at the ropes. The ref counts, Archer steps away and he tells fans to urusei! Archer then whips Atlantis hard into the corner! Tag to Zayne and he clamps on a facelock. Atlantis endures, fights up, and throws body shots. Atlantis is free, he dodges Zayne and then scoops to BACKBREAKER! Fans rally up, both men crawl, and hot tag to Soberano! Soberano DROPKICKS Zayne, whips him to a corner, and then runs in to DROPKICK again! Zayne staggers, into a RANA!
Fans cheer and Soberano eggs on Archer. Soberano keeps Zayne from him, then holds out a hand tauntingly. The ref has to keep Archer back and Soberano CLUBS Zayne. Soberano taunts Archer, whips Zayne but Zayne reverses. Soberano BOOTS Zayne, Atlantis tags in, and Soberano BOOTS Zayne down! Soberano runs in and Atlantis puts him up top, but Archer runs in! Soberano BOOTS Archer, Atlantis SUPERKICKS, and then Zayne runs in. Atlantis gets around to waistlock Zayne, Soberano MISSILE DROPKICK SPLASH COMBOS, sending Zayne into Atlantis’ GERMAN SUPLEX! Fans fire up and Atlantis covers, TWO!
Fans cheer as Zayne hangs tough, and Atlantis stands him up. Atlantis ROCKS Zayne, Zayne ROCKS Atlantis. They trade forearms, Zayne gets the edge and ELBOWS Atlantis. Zayne runs in at the corner but is put up top! ENZIGURI and Zayne’s in the Tree of Woe! Atlantis runs to DROPKICK him down! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up while Atlantis argues the count. The ref says his count was fair, so Atlantis brings Zayne up to throw forearm after forearm. Atlantis runs, Archer gets in to scoop! ROLLING AX KICK SIDEWALK SLAM COMBO! Cover, Soberano breaks it! Archer ROCKS Soberano, then runs in, only for Soberano to dump him out!
Soberano aims and SLINGSHOT RANAS Archer! Atlantis puts Zayne on ropes, Soberano GAMANGIRIS and Atlantis DROPKICKS! Fans fire up and Atlantis tags Soberano. Soberano goes up to TORNILLO! Cover, TWO! Zayne is still in this and the fans fire up again. Soberano drags Zayne up to a fireman’s carry, and then hits a WASTELAND SLAM! Soberano goes to a corner, climbs up, but Archer STEP-UP KNEES! Zayne runs, NO HANDS STEINER! And then CHOKE SLAM SAULT but onto knees! Archer hurries to grab Soberano, CHOKE- NO, Soberano slips free and ENZIGURIS! Mule kick for Zayne, and Soberano stands on Zayne’s back!
But then Zayne avoids the Elevator Famouser! Atlantis runs in, but into a schoolboy KICK! Soberano kicks low, reels Zayne in and vows to finish this! Canadian Rack, into the Gory Especial! Swing and- NO, Zayne blocks the knee! Soberano avoids the lariat, but springboards into the choke grip! CHOKE SLAM! Atlantis runs in, into a POP-UP POWERBOMB! Fans fire up with Monster Sauce and they say, “ITADAKIMASU~!” Zayne hauls Soberano up, straitjacket and pump handle, TACO DRIVER!! Cover, Monster Sauce wins!
Winners: Lance Archer & Alex Zayne, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Atlantis & Soberano earn 0)
The sons of lucha libre just got burned! Will they be able to recover from this in the next round? Will Archer & Zayne keep things going until they feast in the finals?
2023 World Tag League, B Block: Bishamon VS Bad Luck Fale & Jack Bonza!
It is rather shocking that Hirooki Goto & Yoshi-Hashi, THE IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions, have started 0-2. However, the Rogue General & Red Commando are also 0-2, could this be a huge rebound for them? Or will the Fierce Warrior & Headhunter be the ones to finally get on the board?
The teams sort out and Bonza starts against Goto. Fans rally as the two circle, and they tie up. They go around, Bonza waistlocks but Goto wrenches and wristlocks. Bonza rolls, wrenches and waistlocks, but Goto switches. Goto full nelsons, spins Bonza to cravat then headlock, but Bonza pries the hold open to hammerlock. Goto goes to ropes, Bonza lets off, but then Bonza kicks low! Bonza headlocks and he grinds Goto, but Goto pries at the hold. Bonza clamps on tighter, but Goto powers out, only for Bonza to run Goto over! Bonza runs, Goto stays low but Bonza stomps him down! Bonza paces around then stands Goto up.
Bonza whips but Hashi tags in. Bishamon run Bonza over with double shoulders! Hashi runs and Goto sets up, ZANMAI! Fale runs in but Bishamon kicks him first! “SE~ NO!” They HAMMER away on Fale! Fale explodes out, but then Bishamon runs to double shoulder Fale down! Fans fire up and now Bishamon bring Bonza up. “SE~ NO!” and they HAMMER away on Bonza! Fans fire up, Hashi brings Bonza around to CLUB him again. Hashi whips Bonza to a corner, then storms up to CHOP him! Hashi ROCKS Bonza with a forearm, and then another, and then whips corner to corner. Bonza reverses but Hashi dodges the splash!
But Fale’s there to CLOBBER Hashi! Bonza BLASTS Goto, Fale drags Hashi out and throw body shots. Hashi falls over, the ref reprimands, but Fale sends Hashi into railing! Hashi falls in a heap, Bonza goes out to fetch him. Bonza drags Hashi up, puts him in the ring, and then tags Fale in. Bonza drags Hashi around and Fale stands on Hashi’s chest! It’s technically a cover so the ref counts, TWO! Hashi hangs in there but Fale drags him up. Fale CLUBS Hashi back down! Bonza applauds and Fale taunts Goto. The ref is busy with Goto so Bonza stands on Hashi’s head! Bonza gets away with that, and Fale stands Hashi up.
Fale scoops and SLAMS Hashi, then stands on his back! Fale goes surfing, but then lets off to cover, TWO! Fans applaud as Hashi hangs tough. Fale drags Hashi over, tags Bonza, and the Rogue Army mugs Hashi with a CHOP! Bonza ROCKS Hashi, ROCKS him again, then runs to BLAST Goto! Bonza returns to Hashi, but Hashi fires forearms in return! Hashi fires up, dodges Bonza and sends him into Fale! Roll up, with a bridge, TWO! Bonza checks, he’s safe, but then Hashi kicks. Hashi runs, but into an ELBOW! Bonza whips, Hashi ducks, but Bonza blocks the superkick into an STF! But Goto stomps Bonza!
Bonza BOOTS Goto and kicks him out of the ring! Bonza complains to the ref, then mocks the fans cheering on Hashi. Bonza drags Hashi up, reels him in, but Hashi suplexes! Bonza fights it, Hashi tries again, but then Bonza suplexes! Hashi slips free but Bonza elbows him away. Bonza runs but Hashi dropkicks the legs out! Fans rally up while both men are down! Hashi crawls over to the corner, hot tag to Goto! Goto runs in to run Bonza over! Goto fires off forearms, whips Bonza corner to corner, and runs in to MURAMASA! And then SAIDO! Cover, TWO! Goto keeps his cool and he ROCKS Fale! Fale grabs Goto!
Bonza CLUBS Goto, runs, but Goto follows to LARIAT! Fale runs in, Goto kicks him first! Goto reels Fale in, and aims for Bonza! But Fale blocks the suplex to scoop! Goto slips free but Fale elbows him away. Bonza runs in at the corner, but into a BOOT! Fale tries but Goto dodges the splash! Goto fires off forearms on them both! Goto runs, but Bonza drops and Fale LARIATS! Bonza covers, TWO! Fans rally up but the Rogue Army coordinates. They get Goto up, Bonza scoops, BACKBREAKER to Fale’s ELBOW DROP! Cover, Hashi breaks it! Fans fire up but Fale stomps Hashi and throws him out. But then Hashi RAMS Fale into railing!
Fans fire up while commentary takes a hit! Yoh is stunned and Milano Collection AT almost falls out of his seat like yesterday! Bonza has Goto, suplexes, but Goto slips free to waistlock. Bonza switches, Goto elbows free and runs, but Bonza BOOTS him! And LARIATS! Fans fire up and Bonza drags Goto up to reel him in. Gut wrench, DOCTOR BOMB!! Cover, HASHI BREAKS IT!! Hashi saves Goto from disaster but Fale ROCKS and CHOPS Hashi to a corner. The Rogue Army regroups and double whips corner to corner. Fale runs in but Hashi dodges to LARIAT Bonza! Hashi runs to clothesline Fale in the corner!
Hashi roars, fires off forearms, and then a kick and a CHOP! Fale stays up, but Hashi gets around him! Goto is back up and he LARIATS from behind! Bishamon fires up to DOUBLE LARIAT Fale up and out! Fans fire up, Bonza runs in to ELBOW Goto! Hashi blocks Bonza’s kick, Goto KICKS that leg! Goto fireman’s carries, for FIERCE FLASH into SHO- NO, Bonza kicks Hashi away! Goto feeds Bonza to HIDDEN GAP! And then SHOTO!! Cover, BISHAMON WINS!
Winner: Bishamon, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Rogue Army earns 0)
Finally, the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions have points! Does this mean their dream of a WTL threepeat is still alive? Does this third loss in a row mean the Rogue Army needs to call in reinforcements?
2023 World Tag League, B Block: Yuji Nagata & Minoru Suzuki VS Taichi & Yuya Uemura!
Blue Justice & The Meanest Man in the World are 0-2, but the Holy Emperor & Heat Storm are 2-0. But will Suzuki be able to bring down one of his former proteges? Or will Taichi and his new protege keep their roll towards the finals going?
The teams sort out and while Suzuki stares down Taichi, Nagata stares down Yuya. The fans rally up, the ref has the teams settle down, and Taichi starts against Suzuki. The fans fire up with the bell as the two circle. Taichi and Suzuki stare down and Suzuki smirks. They feel things out, knuckle lock, and Suzuki powers Taichi to ropes. The ref counts the break, Suzuki lets off slowly, but Taichi is chill because he knows “Boss” Suzuki well. Suzuki grins as he and Taichi reset. They feel things out again, knuckle lock, and now Taichi puts Suzuki on ropes. They pull hair and ears, but Taichi still lets off. Fans applaud as the two reset again.
Suzuki tags to Nagata and fans applaud. Taichi then backs away to tag Yuya. The fans cheer as these two tie up, and Nagata wrenches. Yuya spins, wrenches, and WRINGS Nagata, reaches down, but Nagata headscissors. Yuya kips free and the fans cheer. Nagata and Yuya reset and circle again. They knuckle lock, then go shoulder to shoulder in a test of strength. They push each other, hands up then back to shoulder to shoulder. Yuya wrenches, hammerlocks then headlocks, and he holds tight as Nagata tries to power out! Fans cheer as Yuya facelocks to keep Nagata down. Nagata fights up, Yuya goes back to the headlock.
Nagata endures as Yuya grinds the hold. Yuya hits a takeover, Nagata headscissors, Yuya kips free and hits a flying takeover! Fans cheer as Heat Storm has Blue Justice back down. Nagata fights up, Yuya grinds the hold, but Nagata throws body shots. Nagata sends Yuya to a corner, runs in, but Yuya dodges to arm-drag! But then Nagata kitchen sink knees! Fans rally up and Nagata KICKS Yuya in the back! Yuya gets up, fires off forearms and CHOPS, but Nagata ROCKS him then snapmares to KICK him again! Nagata tags Suzuki and Suzuki reluctantly gets in. Suzuki drags Yuya up to wrench and hammerlock then headlock.
Yuya endures as Suzuki grinds, then he hits the headlock takeover. Suzuki goes after an arm and shifts to the double wristlock! Yuya endures, clasps hands, but Suzuki changes up to a facelock. They go to the corner, Nagata tags back in, and the murder grandpas mug Yuya. Nagata CLUBS Yuya, snapmares and clamps on the chinlock! Nagata shifts his grip as Yuya pries at it, and Yuya endures as the fans rally. Nagata KNEES Yuya in the back, KICKS him, and brings Yuya to the corner. Nagata ROCKS Yuya, ROCKS him again, Suzuki tags in just as Yuya starts hitting back! Nagata ROCKS Yuya and Suzuki BOOTS him!
Suzuki stomps Yuya, digs his boot in, but the ref counts. Suzuki lets off, fans rally up, and Suzuki brings Yuya around. Yuya shoves Suzuki but Suzuki pulls hair to throw a knee. Suzuki whips, but Yuya reverses to DROPKICK! Fans fire up while both men are down! Yuya and Suzuki stir, Yuya crawls, hot tag to Taichi! Taichi runs to BLAST Nagata, and then he goes back to his mentor. Taichi gives Suzuki some Kawada Kicks! Suzuki just stands up and laughs! Taichi kicks low then fires off more Kawada Kicks! Suzuki kicks back, whips, but Taichi reverses to wrench and DANGEROUS HOOK KICK! Fans fire up as Taichi watches Suzuki go to a corner.
Taichi runs corner to corner to BOOT Suzuki! And then he brings Suzuki around to snapmare and KICK in the back! Suzuki laughs and kicks back, to then snapmare and KICK! Fans cheer and Taichi stands back up. Taichi smiles, SOBATS, then runs to BOOT! Suzuki rebounds to BOOT! Taichi BOOTS again, so Suzuki BOOTS again! They egg each other on and the fans love it! Suzuki fires a forearm, Taichi paces. Taichi KICKS but Suzuki stays up. Suzuki ROCKS Taichi with a forearm, but Taichi KICKS in return! Suzuki laughs as he and Taichi go back and forth, forearm for kick! Suzuki gets the edge, then he eggs Taichi on.
Taichi winds up to ROCK Suzuki! Fans fire up, Taichi KICKS again! Suzuki drops to a knee and Taichi fires up! Taichi’s chest is bleeding but has he surpassed his mentor? Taichi kicks, but Suzuki blocks! Suzuki headlocks, Taichi powers out but Suzuki pulls Taichi’s hair! HEADBUTT! Taichi staggers, Suzuki throws another forearm, but Taichi roars! So Suzuki DECKS him! Fans fire up with Suzuki as Taichi flops against him! Suzuki eggs Taichi on and Taichi slowly rises. Suzuki BOOTS, Taichi growls! Suzuki BOOTS, Taichi BOOTS Suzuki down! Suzuki gets up to BOOT Taichi down! And hot tag to Nagata!
Nagata brings Taichi up to KICK! And KICK! And KICK! Nagata whips corner to corner, runs in and BOOTS! Nagata clinches but Taichi fights with elbows! Nagata waistlocks, Taichi pries free to PELE! Nagata falls and fans fire up! Taichi crawls his way over, hot tag to Yuya! Yuya runs up to CHOP and CHOP and CHOP, but Nagata kicks low. Nagata whips, Yuya reverses and arm-drags! Yuya keeps moving, and he DOUBLE CHOPS Nagata down! Nagata goes to a corner, Yuya runs corner to corner to SPLASH and BULLDOG! Cover, TWO! Fans fire up while Yuya stays focused. Yuya drags Nagata up again and clinches!
Nagata fights the lift, Suzuki attacks from behind! Taichi attacks Suzuki, then runs, but Suzuki follows to shoot around and SLEEPER! Fans fire up and Suzuki spins Taichi, but Taichi knows that one! Taichi slips free, Suzuki dodges a haymaker, but not the AX BOMBER! Fans fire up while those two fall, and then Yuya aims at Nagata in a corner. Yuya fires up and runs in, to DROPKICK! Nagata staggers and Yuya roars! Yuya traps one arm, then the other, but Nagata turns that into a SAIDO! The fans fire up again while all four men are down! Nagata and Yuya stir, and Nagata roars as he rises! He eggs Yuya on, and then fires a forearm!
Yuya fires a forearm back! The forearms go back and forth, and fans rally up! Nagata eggs Yuya on so Yuya fires a flurry! Nagata keeps returning the shots, they go harder and harder back and forth, and the fans love it! Nagata ROCKS Yuya, ROCKS him again, but Yuya DOUBLE CHOPS! DOUBLE CHOPS! And DOUBLE CHOPS! Nagata WHEEL KICKS outta nowhere! Fans fire up as Yuya flounders to a corner. Taichi returns to kick and whip, but Nagata reverses to SHINING WIZARD! Yuya is back but Nagata BOOTS and ENZIGURIS! Taichi sends Suzuki into railing! Nagata SAIDO- CROSSBODY from Yuya! Cover, TWO!!
Nagata is up, Yuya gets around, Taichi returns, feed to a BOOT! DOUBLE CHOP! GAMANGIRI! Fans fire up with Yuya and he hurries up top. Yuya aims while Taichi keeps Suzuki out! CROSSBODY! But Yuya isn’t done, he traps the arms! KANMUKI SUPLEX BRIDGE! J5G WINS!!
Winners: Taichi & Yuya Uemura, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Nagata & Suzuki earn 0)
The youngest star in this match just pinned the highly decorated living legend, and the duo stays undefeated! Is this a sign that Yuya & Taichi are on the right track? Will Suzuki & Nagata ever get on the board?
2023 World Tag League, B Block: El Phantasmo & Hikuleo w/ Jado VS Yota Tsuji & Zandokan Jr!
The NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions just lost last round in the main event, but they’re back again, looking for redemption! Will they prove they can rebound from anything? Or will Gene Blast & The King of the World sink their ship and grab some golden tickets?
ELP enjoys the fans cheering him on. Then the fans cheer on “Yota! Yota!” and he smiles. The teams sort out, and Zando steps up. ELP jokes that Jado should step up, but Zando pushes ELP. ELP says okay then! ELP gets sexy with taking off the shirt, and a great toss to Leo. The bell rings and fans rally up as Zando offers a handshake. ELP thinks about it, but then Zando puts some spit on it! ELP puts a lot of spit on his! They shake hands after all! And then Zando headlocks! ELP powers up and out, but Zando runs him over! Zando shouts he’s El Rey Del Mundo, then things speed up. ELP drops, hurdles, but then Zando leaps over!
Zando dodges ELP, but ELP RANAS! ELP swings, Zando dodges and he RANAS in return! Fans fire up more, and Zando runs in at the corner. ELP BOOTS him, eggs him on, and then blocks the haymaker to knuckle lock and CHOP! ELP goes up and up and jumps around to FLYING RANA! ELP handsprings up and fans fire up again! ELP does jumping jacks to show off, even. Zando backs off, tags Tsuji, and Tsuji smiles as he steps to ELP. But then Tsuji calls out the big guy? Leo looks around, it has to be him. Leo tags in and he steps to Tsuji. Fans rally and Tsuji grins. Leo puts some spit on his handshake, and Tsuji leaves him hanging!
Leo swings, Tsuji dodges and fires a forearm! Then a body shot! Tsuji fires more shots, but Leo ROCKS him! Leo drags Tsuji up, suplexes, but Tsuji slips free to dropkick a leg out! Tsuji runs, but Leo scoops! SNAKE EYES, and Leo runs, but Zando trips him! Tsuji basement dropkicks! ELP gets in but Tsuji kicks low. Tsuji & Zando double whip, then POP-UP KNEE! ELP falls out of the ring and fans fire up. Tsuji storms up on Leo, drags him up, and CHOPS him! Tsuji brings Leo up and around to bump off buckles. Tag to Zando, and he stomps a mudhole into Leo! Red Shoes counts but Zando lets off to bring Leo up.
Leo pushes Zando away but Zando BOOTS him! Zando then thrashes Leo around by his hair! Zandn CLUBS Leo, tags Tsuji, but Leo CHOPS! Tsuji eggs Leo on, so Leo CHOPS again! Tsuji pulls Leo’s hair, then throws him down by his hair! Tsuji BLASTS ELP, but ELP gets back in! Red Shoes keeps ELP back and Tsuji stomps Leo to the corner. Tsuji & Zando dig their boots in, Red Shoes warns ELP to cool off, then counts at him. ELP backs off, Tsuji & Zando let off, and Tsuji grins at ELP. Fans rally, Tsuji stomps Leo and tags Zando. Zando & Tsuji bring Leo around to then CHOP and CHOP in a corner. They double whip corner to corner, then Zando runs in.
Leo dodges Zando to UPPERCUT Tsuji! Fans fire up but Zando CLOBBERS Leo! Zando BLASTS ELP, then looms over Leo. Fans rally, Tsuji & Zando double whip Leo, but Leo DOUBLE LARIATS them first! Fans fire up and Leo crawls, hot tag to ELP! ELP goes right up top to AX HANDLE Zando! Then atomic drop on Tsuji! ELP mocks Tsuji’s pain, then ducks Tsuji’s punch to atomic drop again! ELP TOSSES Tsuji out, the fans rally and ELP runs, but Zando is there to kick him down! Zando whips ELP to a corner, runs in, but ELP catches him into headscissors, for an ELBOW! ELP then eggs Zando on, gets him for another headscissor and an AX KICK!
ELP runs in, BOOTS Zando down, and then suplexes high and hard! Somersault to the LIONSAULT! But ELP keeps going, and he DIVES onto Tsuji! Tsuji hits railing and fans fire up with ELP! ELP throws a fan’s LIJ hat! ELP gets back in, Zando dodges but then ELP dodges, only for Zando to SNAP SAMOAN DRIVER! Zando drags ELP up, “IKU YO~!” Canadian Rack and DOMINATOR! Cover, TWO!! ELP survives and the fans fire up! Zando tags Tsuji in and Tsuji BLASTS Leo! Tsuji fires up and the fans are with him as he goes back to ELP. Tsuji stands ELP up, reels him in and suplexes, but ELP fights it and wrenches free!
But Tsuji ROCKS ELP first! ELP swings, but into the BACKBREAKER! COMPLETE SHOT! ELP avoids the stomp, and the chop, to ENZIGURI! Fans fire up while both men are down! ELP rolls to hot tag Leo! ELP then torture racks and Leo runs, BOOT UFO, into the BRAIN SALAD! Cover, TWO!! Tsuji survives and fans fire up! Jado pounds the apron, the fans clap along, and Leo takes aim. Tsuji stirs, then slowly rises. Leo choke grips, for GOD- NO, Tsuji flips through and runs in! Leo scoops, but Tsuji slips free again! But Leo UPPERCUTS! And choke grips again! Zando runs in, Leo grabs him, too! But Zando & Tsuji break free!
Zando & Tsuji double whip, but Leo breaks the line, only to get double basement dropkicks! Ten minutes have passed, but Tsuji & Zando get Leo up. But ELP saves Leo from the Anchor! ELP CHOPS Zando, Tsuji CHOPS ELP! Leo CHOPS Tsuji, Zando CHOPS Leo! Leo roars, runs in, but Zando dumps him out! Zando fires the fans up and he builds speed, to DIVE! Down goes Leo into the railing! ELP runs at Tsuji but he’s put on the apron. So ELP ASAI MOONSAULTS Zando! But Tsuji is up top! SUPER CROSSBODY! Fans fire up as all four men are down on the outside! Red Shoes calls to them, then starts a ring count.
Fans rally, Tsuji sits up first, and he grits his teeth as he stands. Fans fire up with Tsuji, and he puts Leo in at 10 of 20. Fans rally, Tsuji drags Leo up and reels him in. But Leo fights the suplex! So Tsuji ROCKS Leo! Leo fires up but Tsuji V-TRIGGERS, SUPERKICKS, but Leo HEADBUTTS! Leo reels Tsuji in, but Tsuji suplexes first!! Cover, TWO!! The fans rally up, Tsuji calls to Zando and Zando says, “VAMOS AMIGO!” Tsuji climbs, then stands on Zando’s shoulders! Leo stands first, and he reaches up to grab Tsuji! But Zando SUPERKICKS! Tsuji SUPERKICKS! They get Leo up and ANCHOR!! Cover, ELP breaks it while hitting a DESTROYER on Zando!
Tsuji fires off on ELP but ELP fires back! Tsuji gets the edge, whips ELP but ELP reverses to hurdle, and Leo gets in there to POWER TRIP! Fans fire up and Leo coordinates with ELP! ELP tunes up the band, and SUDDEN DEATH, into the choke grip! ELP DIVES at Zando, but Zando catches him! T K O to the floor! Then Tsuji victory rolls Leo!! TWO!! Leo escapes, but Tsuji blows past, and he KNEES the Power Trip down! CURB STOMP!! Fans fire up as Tsuji roars and he takes aim from a corner! Leo rises, into the GENE BLAST SPEAR!!! Cover, LIJ wins!!
Winners: Yota Tsuji & Zandokan Jr, by pinfall (gain 2 points; ELP & Leo earn 0)
The Guerrillas of Destiny have fallen again! Two losses in a row, will the NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions be owing a lot of golden tickets after World Tag League?
As for Tsuji & Zando, Tsuji gets the mic first to say, “Oi, Hikuleo. Don’t think this win is my revenge for the G1! I haven’t really beaten you yet. Back when we were in the dojo, we talked about our hopes and dreams. Let’s spin the rest of the story now.” Fans applaud this show of respect, and Tsuji continues by saying, “Apparently, Hikuleo & ELP are Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions. My apologies, but I don’t care for that brand.” But he knows Leo & ELP aren’t the kind to just accept a loss. Tsuji vows that he and Zando will win World Tag League and go to the Tokyo Dome. Then maybe after that, how about a rematch here in Japan? Or maybe in Zando’s home of Mexico?
Fans like the sound of that! Tsuji then properly introduces his tag partner, Zandokan Jr. About a year ago, while Tsuji was in Mexico on excursion, they teamed up. In Mexico, the fans throw money into the ring when you’ve had a great match. Now that is being a rainmaker! And those memories are still vivid in Tsuji’s mind. “Thank you, Zandokan. Let’s keep it up.” They shake hands and the fans applaud. Tsuji then says “It seems like the owner, Kidani, is really behind Bishamon, huh? He needs them to keep the younger ones down. But I’m not that young…”
Tsuji then calls out Kidani, and says “me and Zandokan Jr. will crush your quiet favorites who don’t move the needle. Please count on us.” Fans fire up hearing that bold statement! Tsuji then asks them, “Are you ready?! We will win this World Tag League!” Then together with Zando, he shouts, “VAMOS AMIGOS!” Gene Blast and the King of the World are ready to claim all the treasure, will they be the ones with the trophies and the titles?
Here are the NEW B Block standings!
Taichi & Yuya Uemura: 3-0, 6 points
Alex Zayne & Lance Archer: 3-0, 6 points
Atlantis Jr. y Soberano Jr: 2-1, 4 points
Yota Tsuji & Zandokan Jr: 2-1, 4 points
ELP & Hikuleo: 1-2, 2 points
Bishamon: 1-2, 2 points
Bad Luck Fale & Jack Bonza: 0-3, 0 points
Yuji Nagata & Minoru Suzuki: 0-3, 0 points
My Thoughts:
A great third round for B Block, and a sixth day for NJPW World Tag League. Awesome stuff from Monster Sauce and the CMLL luchadores, and since only one was going to keep their streak going, I really like that Archer & Zayne keep on going. Quite shocking that Nagata & Suzuki are 0-3, but a great match with Taichi & Yuya where the younger guys look great for having beat the old guard. Rogue Army being at the bottom still makes sense, given they gave Bishamon their first win of this tournament. Bishamon needed to get something, so here it was.
And great main event of Tsuji & Zandokan getting one over on ELP & Leo. Bit rough that Tsuji out and says he doesn’t really care about NJPW Strong, that’s like if someone in WWE out and says they don’t care about NXT or someone in AEW doesn’t care about ROH. But I did like the boldness of him saying Bishamon aren’t needle movers/money makers for NJPW, because in a way, I do agree. Goto & Hashi are great, have been great, but they really only have the Heavyweight Tag titles back because Mark Davis got hurt and Aussie Open couldn’t defend the belts. And then Aussie Open moves over to AEW, only for Davis to get hurt again. There’s a very good chance that the WTL winners become the landmark 100th champions, depending on who they give the nod to for winning WTL in the first place.
My Score: 8.8/10
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