Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW WrestleKingdom 16 Results & Report! (1/5/22)
WrestleKingdom, Night Two!
NJPW and Stardom, on one night!
As if WrestleKingdom’s first night wasn’t big enough, night two raises the stakes! Will Will Ospreay return to being THE IWGP World Heavyweight Champion? Plus, a Stardom showcase tag match!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Preshow – Six Man Tag: Bullet Club VS Yuji Nagata, Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma; Nagata, Makabe & Honma win.
- Preshow – Six Man Tag: Master Wato, Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima VS Suzuki-Gun; Wato, Tenzan & Kojima win.
- Preshow – Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Suzuki-Gun; LIJ wins.
- IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships Triple Threat: Robbie Eagles & Tiger Mask VS Rocky Romero & Ryusuke Taguchi VS Taiji Ishimori & El Phantasmo; Eagles & Tiger Mask win and retain the titles.
- Starlight Kid & Mayu Iwatani VS Saya Kamitani & Tam Nakano; Kamitani & Nakano win.
- KOPW 2022 Fatal 4 Way: Toru Yano VS CIMA VS Minoru Suzuki VS Chase Owens; Suzuki wins and becomes the provisional Mr. KOPW 2022.
- NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships: House of Torture VS Chaos; House of Torture wins and retains the titles.
- SANADA VS Great-O-Khan; Sanada wins.
- Tetsuya Naito VS Jeff Cobb; Naito wins.
- IWGP US Heavyweight Championship No Disqualification Match: KENTA VS Hiroshi Tanahashi; Tanahashi wins and becomes the new IWGP US Heavyweight Champion.
- IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Kazuchika Okada VS Will Ospreay; Okada wins and is the undisputed IWGP World Heavyweight Champion.
PLAY BY PLAY
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships Triple Threat: Robbie Eagles & Tiger Mask VS Rocky Romero & Ryusuke Taguchi VS Taiji Ishimori & El Phantasmo!
It was Christmas Eve when half of each team faced off in a singles Triple Threat, and it was the Headbanga who won big for the holidays. But now, all six men are involved in this match and the gold is on the line! Will the Sniper of the Skies and his legendary tag partner be able to hold onto the gold? Will the Mega Coaches become mega champions? Or will the Cutest Tag Team make it feel like Christmas all over again?
The introductions are made, but ELP hits Tiger Mask with a SUDDEN DEATH! Eagles tackles ELP, Taiji goes after Eagles, and the bell rings. The Mega Coaches go after ELP and Taiji and put them in opposite corners, with Eagles is in a third corner. Rocky corner clotheslines Taiji, Taguchi follows it up with a hip attack! Rocky hits Eagles with a clothesline, Taguchi also hits a hip attack! And of course, clothesline and hip attack for ELP! Then the Mega Coaches hip bump. But then Taiji and ELP rush them! The Mega Coaches send them at each other, but then Taiji and ELP hug it out! Only to turn around into DOUBLE HIP ATTACKS!
Eagles runs into Rocky’s kick, and Rocky CLUBS Eagles down. Taguchi goes up the corner, Rocky whips Eagles into the Funky Weapon! Then Rocky trips Eagles to CATAPULT him into the Funky Weapon! And then Rocky uses Taguchi to kick off of and hit a TORNADO DDT! Taguchi adds a SLIDING HIP! Cover, TWO! The Mega Coaches get Eagles up, double whip, but Eagles reverses to send Taguchi to ropes. Eagles then hurdles over Taguchi, and Taguchi runs Rocky over! Eagles runs to BLINDSIDE LARIAT DROPKICK COMBO! Fans fire up with Eagles but Taiji throws a haymaker. Taiji whips, Eagles reverses then runs in but is put on the apron.
Eagles GAMANGIRIS Taiji away, ELP runs over but Eagles goes up and over to CROSSBODY onto the Mega Coaches on the outside! Fans fire up as Eagles fires back up, and he gets back in the ring. Eagles ducks and dodges, but ELP fakes him out to mule kick! Eagles doubles over, that boot has to be loaded! Fans rally up, Taiji drags Eagles up and ELP goes up the corner. ELP builds power to leap and slowly CLAW Eagles’ back! ELP then drags Eagles up while Taiji goes to the top rope. Taiji builds power, to jump and quickly CLAW Eagles’ back! Taiji bumps Eagles off buckles, whips him corner to corner, then ELP whips Taiji in to DOUBLE KNEE!
Taiji and ELP combine in an Electric Chair lift, but Rocky springboards in to CLOBBER Taiji off ELP’s shoulders! Rocky fires off palm strikes, but ELP stomps Rocky’s foot! Taguchi gets in to fire off palm strikes, but ELP blocks one to wrangle Taguchi down. ELP then stomps Taguchi’s hand! ELP stands on Taguchi’s arm, gets the fans to clap along, and he stomps away on the hand! ELP knuckle locks, CHOPS and goes up and up to jump around and start walking the tightrope. ELP does a few dance moves, but Eagles springboards up to SUPER STEINER! Fans fire up as Eagles duck and dodges Taguchi to DIVE and take out Taiji!
Eagles drags Taiji up, but then Taguchi goes to the corner while Rocky builds speed! Rocky DIVES onto Taiji while Taguchi triangle jump CROSSBODIES Eagles! All four of them are down by the ramp and fans rally up as ELP climbs. But Tiger Mask returns! Tiger throws hands on ELP, climbs up top, throws headbutts, and then underhooks the arms?! SUPER BUTTERFLY SUPLEX! And then Tiger gets ELP back up, has the arms again, and hits the TIGER DRIVER 98!! Cover, Taiji breaks it! Taiji whips Tiger, Tiger reverses and hits a tilt-o-whirl BACKBREAKER! Taguchi runs in, but into a tilt-o-whirl BACKBREAKER!
Tiger sees Rocky coming, he hits another tilt-o-whirl BACKBREAKER! Fans fire up with Tiger, he whips Rocky to the corner then runs in. ENZUGIRI BOOT COMBO! Tiger then sets Rocky up for Eagles to springboard in, missile dropkick to a leg! Eagles gets Rocky in the RON MILLER SPECIAL! Tiger blocks ELP but Taiji gets in to rake Eagles’ eyes! Taiji rains down rights on Eagles while ELP punches Tiger back. ELP whips Tiger, Tiger holds ropes and then dumps ELP out! Taiji knees Tiger down but Eagles throws Taiji out. Eagles and Tiger go after Rocky in the corner, but Rocky moves and Tiger’s kick hits Eagles!
Taguchi HIP ATTACKS Tiger off the apron! Taguchi runs at Eagles but Eagles hits an atomic drop! Eagles runs, but into DOUBLE HIP ATTACKS! Fans fire up as the Mega Coaches wheelbarrow Eagles for BLACK HOLE INVASION! Cover, ELP breaks it! Taiji goes after Taguchi, whips him to ropes, but Taguchi reverses. Taiji handsprings for the NEURALIZER! ELP and Taiji mug Rocky, double whip, but he gets under to DOUBLE RANA! Fans fire up with Rocky and he cravats Taiji. Rocky kicks ELP but Taiji blocks the Sliced Rocky! ASSISTED CIPHER UTAKI! Tiger runs in but ELP gets him for the straitjacket torture rack!
Taiji adds a FLYING KNEE to the SWINGING NECKBREAKER! Taiji ASAI MOONSAULTS Taguchi down! ELP is up top, he walks the tight rope for a THUNDER KISS 86!! Cover, TWO!! Tiger survives and ELP can’t believe it! ELP decides to end this, and fans rally up. Taiji drags Tiger up while ELP tunes up his boot. But Eagles blocks Sudden Death to send it into Taiji! Taguchi slips in, as does Rocky. These four look at ELP and ELP wants mercy. He tries to run away but they drag him back in! GIRI SANDWICH, to a BIG uppercut from Rocky! Taguchi adds a SLIDING HIP! But then there’s a standoff as they think about the cover.
But then they agree there’s something bigger than that! Rocky and Tiger hold ELP down, while Eagles and Taguchi go after the boots! They’re going to get to the bottom of this mystery!! Eagles undoes the laces, pulls the shoe off, and he sees inside! Eagles pulls out a METAL PLATE! ELP acts like he has no idea how that got in there! The ref confiscates the plate and reprimands ELP. The ref gets the plate far away from the ring, and says ELP is ELIMINATED from this match?! Is that even a thing in a Triple Threat? The Young Lions make it a thing as they drag ELP out of the ring and to the back!
But back in the ring, Tiger rolls Taguchi up while Rocky rolls Eagles! TWO, and Tiger runs at Rocky to crucifix takedown! TWO, Taguchi cradles Tiger! TWO! Eagles runs in to roll, schoolboy bridge! TWO! Taguchi ENZIGURIS Eagles! Tiger SOBATS Taguchi! Rocky spins Tiger but Tiger kangaroo kicks him away! Taguchi runs to HIP ATTACK! Tiger stays up against ropes, and he dumps Taguchi out! Tiger DIVES! Direct hit and Taguchi hits railing! Rocky JUMP KNEES Eagles! Eagles blocks one kick, ducks the enziguri and the heel kick, but Rocky rolls him into a cradle, TWO! Rocky wheelbarrows to victory roll, TWO!!!
Eagles ROCKS Rocky, then backslides, but Rocky rolls through. Rocky kicks but Eagles blocks again, and brings Rocky in for TURBO BACKPACK! Cover, TWO!! Eagles keeps the legs, for the RON MILLER SPECIAL!! Taguchi gets in but Tiger stops him at the ropes! Rocky taps, #FlyingTigers win!
Winners: Robbie Eagles & Tiger Mask, by submission (still IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champions)
A huge win for Eagles & Tiger! They hold onto the gold, and they expose ELP’s dirty little secret! Taguchi shows them respect, but will he and Rocky be back for a 2v2 shot later in the year?
Starlight Kid & Mayu Iwatani VS Saya Kamitani & Tam Nakano!
Stardom is part of WrestleKingdom 16 with a special tag match! But will the Genius Girl and the Icon of Stardom shine bright? Or will they be eclipsed by the Golden Phoenix and the Violent Kung-Fu Girl?
The teams sort out, and Saya starts against Starlight Kid. “Ki-chan” goes right at Saya but Saya whips her to ropes. Saya hurdles, then drops, but she avoids Ki-chan’s basement dropkick. Saya whips Ki-chan again, but Ki-chan tilt-o-whirl headscissors and basement dropkicks! Ki-chan hits Tam off the apron and tags in Mayu! They kick Saya to ropes, fans rally up, and they both run, DOUBLE 619! Ki-chan and Mayu set up, DOUBLE STANDING MOONSAULTS! Cover, TWO! Mayu sits Saya up to KICK her in the back! Mayu then whips Saya to ropes, but Saya WHEEL KCIKS! Tag to Tam, and she drags Mayu up, only for Mayu to sobat!
Mayu runs, Tam goes Matrix to dodge, and she rolls Mayu up! Mayu rolls through but Tam dropkicks her down! Cover, TWO! Tam drags Mayu up, but Mayu blocks the suplex. Mayu throws back elbows to get free, but Tam ROCKS her with a forearm! Mayu ROCKS Tam back, so Tam comes back with a BIG forearm! Mayu forearms back, Tam forearms again, and fans rally up as Mayu gets the edge! Mayu rolls Tam to basement dropkick her down! Fans fire up with Mayu and she drags Tam up. Mayu full nelsons, but Tam blocks the suplex! Tam breaks free, but Mayu gets around to CRUCIFIX DRIVER! Cover, TWO!!
Tam survives but Mayu fires up more! Mayu full nelsons but Tam fights free again! Tam ducks the roundhouse to HEEL KICK! Then she runs, but into Mayu’s SLINGBLADE! Fans fire up while both women are down. Tam and Mayu crawl for their corners, hot tags to Saya and Starlight Kid! Ki-chan dodges the boot, then the clothesline to kick! Ki-chan runs, but Saya DROPKICKS her down! Ki-chan goes to a corner, Saya runs in but is put on the apron. Saya blocks to ROCK Ki-chan, then she springboards, but Ki-chan gets under! Mayu gets in to kick Saya, but Tam gets in to hammer away on Mayu!
Tam and Saya double whip Mayu, but she crisscrosses their arms and goes up, up, and DOUBLE ARM-DRAGS! Saya and Tam bail out, fans fire up and Ki-chan goes to the apron. ASAI MOONSAULT onto them and some Young Lionesses! Mayu drags Saya up and into the ring and fans fire up! Ki-chan goes up top, for a 180º FROG SPLASH! Cover, TWO!! Saya survives but Ki-chan fires up! Mayu goes up top as Saya stands, and then Ki-chan goes up onto Mayu’s shoulders. SUPER CROSSBODY! Cover, Tam barrels in to break it! Mayu throws Tam back out and fans fire up with Ki-chan. She gets Saya’s legs, ties them up, TEXAS CLOVERLEAF!
But Tam gets in again to attack Ki-chan! Mayu gets in but Tam throws her out now! Mayu runs to BLINDSIDE DOUBLE KNEE Ki-chan! Tam fires up, fans rally behind her, and she goes up top! Tam aims and leaps, SUPER CROSSBODY onto Mayu, Ki-chan and the Lionesses! Tam puts Ki-chan back in for Saya, and Saya aims from the apron. Saya springboards to CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! But Saya is right on Ki-chan with a NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, Mayu breaks it! Tam kicks Mayu out and Saya gets Ki-chan back up. Fisherman, but Ki-chan turns it into a cradle! TWO, Saya sunset flips but Ki-chan sits up!
ONE, Saya brings her down, and they rock back and forth between covers! Ki-chan shifts her weight but Saya rolls her up. They rock more, Ki-chan gets an Oklahoma Roll! TWO!! Saya wrenches, steps over, rolls Ki-chan up then deadlifts for a SINGLE LEG SUPLEX! With bridge! TWO!! Ki-chan survives and fans fire up! Saya fires herself up and she drags Ki-chan back up. Saya reels her in, fisherman’s, but Ki-chan escapes and Mayu SUPERKICKS Saya! Ki-chan runs, jumps up, MOMO LATCH! Cover, Tam breaks it up! Mayu kicks but Tam blocks. Tam kicks but Mayu ducks, to DRAGON SUPLEX! But Tam’s back up!? Tam chicken wings for a TIGER SUPLEX!
All four women are down but fans fire back up! Saya roars as she gets up and she brings Ki-chan around. Fisherman, STAR CRUSHER!! But she’s not done there! Saya goes up top, for a PHOENIX SPLASH!! Cover, Saya & Tam win!
Winners: Saya Kamitani & Tam Nakano, by pinfall
And that is the power of the Wonder of Stardom Champion! Saya and Tam celebrate their great victory, will they be celebrating even more in the New Year?
KOPW 2022 Fatal 4 Way: Toru Yano VS CIMA VS Minoru Suzuki VS Chase Owens!
The four men at the end of the New Japan Ranbo now battle for the KOPW trophy! The Producer has already dominated this prize the last two years, is he going to do it all again? Or does the New Year start with a new name on the plaque?
The introductions are made, but then Yano gets mugged like he did yesterday! The bell rings to put this on the record, the other three keep stomping Yano until he’s out of the ring. But then Chase backs up into Suzuki. Chase says a quick prayer before offering a handshake. Suzuki DECKS Chase, then Cima eggs Suzuki on! Fans fire up and these two start trading CHOPS! Cima kicks low, he whips Suzuki to a corner but Suzuki reverses. Cima goes up and over but Suzuki dodges, only for Cima to BOOT! Cima goes up to missile dropkick Suzuki down! Cima stands Suzuki up, throws more CHOPS, then runs, only for Suzuki to follow and shoot around to a SLEEPER!
Suzuki then spins Cima around to ROCK him with a forearm! Suzuki runs, but Chase and Yano drag Suzuki out! They mug Suzuki, Cima builds speed, Cima DIVES to take them all out! Fans fire up and Cima fires up, too! Cima brings Chase up to put him in the ring. Cima talks some trash to Suzuki before going into the ring. Chase headlocks but Cima throws body shots. Cima powers out, Chase runs him over. Things speed up, Cima leaps into a fireman’s carry but he makes it a sunset flip! Chase rolls through to SHINING WIZARD! But Yano SLAPS Chase on the back of the head! Yano hurries to a corner while Chase seethes, and Yano starts untying a buckle pad.
Chase turns around, expecting Yano, but Suzuki is there! Chase freaks out but Suzuki eggs him on. Chase works up the courage to forearm Suzuki, but then he apologizes. Suzuki DECKS Chase again! Yano SLAPS Suzuki and whips him into the bare buckles! Yano kicks and whips Cima but Cima reverses, Yano hits bare buckles! Cima drop toeholds Yano and ties up the legs, then he eggs Chase on. Chase falls for the bait, Cima kicks him low and reels him in. SUPLEX DEATHLOCK COMBO! Fans fire up, Yano endures, but Suzuki returns to CHOPS Cima down! That only adds more pressure to the deathlock!
Cima gets up again and Suzuki DECKS him, putting more pressure on Yano! Cima stands up a third time, eggs Suzuki on, and Suzuki runs to BOOT Cima down! Yano keeps enduring the leg lock, even as Suzuki puts Cima in the SLEEPER HOLD! But Chase gets Suzuki in a SLEEPER! It’s a submission chain, but if Yano taps before someone passes out, Cima still wins! Yano crawls, and he gets the ROPEBREAK! Everyone has to let go, and the ref counts! Everyone is free at 4, but Chase throws Suzuki and Cima out. Chase stomps Yano, then runs, but Yano pulls Chase’s hair! Chase fires back, runs, but Yano picks him up, atomic- No! Chase slips free to SHI TRIGGER!
Chase drags Yano up, tucks him in, but Cima ENZIGURIS Chase first! Cima Alabama lifts Chase for an AIR RAID CRASH! Cima hurries up top and fans fire up! METEORA!! Cover, but Suzuki drags Cima off with a SLEEPER HOLD! But Yano LOW BLOWS them all! Roll up, TWO!! Suzuki survives and Yano runs, into a DROPKICK from Suzuki! Suzuki drags Yano up, into a SLEEPER! Then the Gotch hold, PILEDRIVER!! Cover, Suzuki wins!!
Winner: Minoru Suzuki, by pinfall (Provisional Mr. KOPW 2022)
The Meanest Man in the World is Mr. KOPW 2022?! He snatches the trophy from the ref, and then stomps away on Yano! This is how Suzuki celebrates! Suzuki then wraps on the SLEEPER! Wait, Yano has handcuffs?! Yano cuffs Suzuki’s wrist, and puts it on the ropes! Yano gets away with his life, but will he be able to take the trophy from such a dangerous man as Minoru Suzuki?
NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships: House of Torture VS Chaos!
The King of Darkness is now the King of NEVER after Dick Togo, Yujiro Takahashi and Sho all helped him cheat the Stone Pitbull! But with Yoh beating Sho and Goto-Hashi becoming NEW IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions on Night One, is Night Two the night where the House finally loses?
The introductions are made, but as soon as the House of Torture is ringside, Chaos attacks! Goto is after Evil, Yoh is after Sho, and Hashi is after Yujiro! And don’t worry, Tomohiro Ishii is ringside to make sure Dick minds his own business! Goto puts Evil in the ring, the bell sounds to put this on the record, and Goto is after Evil in the corner! The ref counts, Goto lets off at 4, and then he drags Evil up. Yoh RAMS Sho into the apron, Hashi does the same to Yujiro, and Goto whips Evil corner to corner to MURAMASA! And then BULLDOG! Fans fire up and Goto stomps away on Evil. Sho gets in to kick Goto and rake the eyes!
Sho runs but Yoh DROPKICKS him down! Yoh sees Sho bail out, and he PLANCHAS him down! Goto CLUBS Evil, Evil rakes the eyes! The ref reprimands, Evil whips Goto to the corner, and surprise! The buckles are bare! Goto hits the steel and the Bullet Club special strikes again! Evil knocks the rest of Chaos off the corner, then he kicks Goto around. Evil drags Goto up, throws him out, and he distracts the ref. But Ishii makes sure Dick can’t attack! The ref reprimands the Stone Pitbull but he’s just being a good guard dog. Sho puts Goto back in, Evil drags Goto up but Goto CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS! Evil rakes the eyes!
Evil puts Goto in the corner, Sho tags in, and Sho wrenches an arm. Sho brings Goto to a knee to kick, kick and bend the fingers! Yoh gets in to CLUB Sho, then he runs, into a kitchen sink knee! Sho glares at Yoh, taunts Hashi, then brings Goto up to wrench and whip into the bare buckles! Yujiro tags in, knees low, then has Goto against ropes for a BOOT! Yujiro drags Goto up, reels him in, FISHERMAN- NO! Goto fights the buster and fans rally up! Goto tries to suplex, Yujiro resists, but Goto still suplexes him up and over! Yujiro slips out to get a dragon sleeper but Goto spins around. Yujiro wrenches, Goto dodges, DISCUS LARIAT!
Fans fire up as Goto and Yujiro are down. Evil gets in to drag Goto up. Evil whips Goto at the corner but Goto stops himself from hitting the bare buckles. Sho grabs Goto’s hair, Evil runs in, but Goto dodges and Evil DECKS Sho! Goto gives Evil a SAIDO! Fans rally up, Goto crawls, hot tag to Hashi! The Head Hunter rallies on the House, and he puts Evil in a corner. Hashi dodges Yujiro to fire off strikes, then he throws Yujiro into Evil! Mule kick for Yujiro, NECKBREAKER for Evil! Hashi gets Yujiro back up, puts him on the ropes and runs, and he dropkicks Yujiro down! Cover, TWO! Hashi drags Yujiro back up while fans rally.
Hashi reels Yujiro in but Yujiro fights the bomb to BITE the hand! Hashi SLAPS Yujiro, but Yujiro blocks the kick to throw Hashi down! Basement BOOT! Fans rally, Yujiro reels Hashi in but Hashi fights the Incolle Slam with elbows. Yujiro forearms but Hashi CHOPS! Yujiro reels Hashi in for the INCOLLE SLAM! Hashi is right back up to LARIAT Yujiro down! Fans fire up and rally as the two crawl for their corners. Hot tags to Sho and Yoh! Yoh dodges to CLOBBER Sho, and again! Yoh whips, Sho reverses and rakes the eyes! Sho runs, Yoh drops to then bypass and drop toehold! Basement dropkick! Sho flounders but Yoh brings him up.
Sho throws forearms, Yoh gives back boxing elbows! Yoh runs, but Sho JUMP KNEES! Sho runs but Yoh JUMP KNEES! Yoh full nelsons, Sho breaks it but Yoh waistlocks! Sho resists the German Suplex and bends Yoh’s fingers! Sho CLUBS the arm, Yoh blocks the kick to EuroUpper! Yoh whips, Sho reverses and Evil trips Yoh! Sho BLASTS the Chaos corner, Evil and Yujiro get in. Evil whips Yoh to a corner, Sho runs in to clothesline! Yujiro runs in to BOOT, Evil run sin to clothesline! Feed to Sho’s kick, and Sho gets Yoh up for a POWERBOMB! High stack, Goto-Hashi break it! Evil and Yujiro go after them and throw them out while fans fire up!
Sho has the wrench! The ref stops Sho, but Dick gets in to use the SPOILER CHOKER on Yoh!! Ishii drags Dick out! Yoh is free, he dodges Sho and shoves him to the fireman’s carry! DOUBLE SUPERKICK to the USHIGOROSHI! An even fiercer flash, and Goto-Hashi fire Yoh up! Yoh roars, he drags Sho up and underhooks the arms. Sho resists Direct Drive and back drops Yoh away! Sho runs in, but into a SUPERKICK! Fans fire up and Yoh hurries to get Sho back up. Suplex, FALCON USHIGOROSHI! Yoh roars and fans are with him as he gets Sho back up. Yoh reels Sho in, underhooks the arms, but Yujiro gets in with the pimp cane!
The ref stops Yujiro, but this is so Evil can get in and LOW BLOW Yoh! Then the WRENCH SHOT from Sho!! Cover, House of Torture wins!
Winners: House of Torture, by pinfall (still NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champions)
And to add insult to injury, they all start stomping on Yoh! Hashi, Goto and Ishii get in to run them off, but the damage is done. Will Chaos try again with Ishii in the mix? Or are Evil and his cohorts on to a new challenge?
Pro-Wrestling NOAH makes a special appearance!
True, this Saturday, January 8th, WrestleKingdom 16’s third day becomes a special crossover between the stars of NJPW and NOAH, but this is quite the surprise! Keiji Mutoh stands at the center of the ring as the others file in. First on the mic is The Hope of NOAH, Kaito Kiyomiya. “Everyone, NJPW fans. On January 8th, Pro-Wrestling NOAH will take a fight with NJPW.” Then Kongoh leader, Kenoh, speaks. “Japan, just who is the top promotion? Pro-Wrestling NOAH is out to take that top spot from NJPW.” NJPW can’t even fill the Tokyo Dome, COVID restrictions not withstanding. NOAH is here to help them with that.
But then Shingo Takagi, Bushi & Hiromu Takahashi show up! Kenoh calls them out, and how Takagi lost the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion. Takagi gets the mic to say, “Oi, oi, oi. How dare you say something so offensive right off the bat. But it seems like you guys don’t have anything to do around here. There is nothing to gain for NJPW, no reward, or risk, but that’s the point. We’ll show the difference between us.” Takagi sees that it’s 3 against a couple dozen, so this will have to wait. Kenoh gets the mic to say that he’s here to pick a fight! What’re they gonna do about it? They can’t back away! Well, whatever. January 8th, NOAH will take care of you.
Kenoh promises that the fans and the best of NJPW will finally see who the best in pro-wrestling really are! Kenoh says NOAH will take over, and NJPW cannot compete with their quality! The pecking order will change in Japan this Saturday in Yokohama as NOAH becomes this country’s top promotion! Kenoh and Kiyomiya shake hands, putting aside their factions’ feud to carry the NOAH banner. Mutoh leads NOAH out of the building, but will we see a paradigm shift in the New Year? Watch the crossover event live on Abema.TV, or a week later on NJPW World’s On Demand list.
SANADA VS Great-O-Khan!
Los Ingobernables de Japon lost to the United Empire in trios action, but now we see how it goes 1v1! Will the Cold Skull bring the Dominator to a Skull End? Or will the United Empire continue their conquest?
Sanada’s entrance gear takes a new form! He wears an oni skull mask and a new black-and-white jacket. Khan again taunts Sanada by showing his back to him. The bell rings, Khan and Sanada circle and feel things out as fans rally. Khan shoots in but Sanada keeps away from his grip. Khan tries again and gets a waistlock, but Sanada switches. Khan switches, Sanada switches back but Khan gets away. Fans cheer the exchange as the two go again. Khan shoots in, gets an arm, wrenches, but Sanada wrenches back. Sanada has the wristlock but Khan wrenches to a hammerlock then a cording hold. Khan whips but Sanada hip tosses and dropkicks!
Khan bails out, fans fire up and Sanada builds speed, but Khan moves so Sanada tumbles to the apron. Khan avoids the apron moonsault, and then eggs Sanada on. Sanada runs in but Khan clotheslines him right back out! Fans rally, Khan goes out to fetch Sanada, and he drags Sanada up to put him in the ring. Khan drags Sanada up to a waistlock and he SLAMS Sanada down. Khan kicks Sanada around, cocky cover, TWO! Khan drags Sanada back up, brings him around to HALF NELSON FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Khan keeps his cool and drags Sanada back up. Khan suplexes, and he hits Sanada with a GOURD BUSTER! Cover, TWO!
Fans cheer but Khan taunts Sanada. Khan drags Sanada up and tries to make Sanada kiss his shoe. Sanada fights up, throws forearms, but Khan knees low. Khan Mongolian Chops! And again! And then Mongolian- No! Sanada blocks, but Khan blocks as Sanada tries to steal the Mongolian Chop! Khan Mongolian Chops but Sanada blocks, and then back the other way! And again, and again! They’re in a deadlock as Khan powers through the block! Khan runs, but Sanada dropkicks the legs out! Fans rally up while both men are down! Sanada kips up and fans fire up! Sanada runs in at Khan and rallies with forearms and arm-drags!
Sanada gets around to give Khan an atomic drop! Khan bails out, Sanada PLANCHAS! Direct hit and fans fire up! Sanada encourages them to get louder and they oblige, and then Sanada puts Khan back in the ring. Sanada drags Khan up, Khan kicks but Sanada blocks! Sanada trips Khan, gets the arms but Khan kicks Sanada away! Khan catches Sanada for a LIFTING COMPLETE SHOT! Both men are down again, Sanada rolls out of the ring. Khan wants Sanada to stand, but then the ref wants him to stay in the ring! Khan wants to do what Sanada did, and Sanada even eggs him on! Khan decides to PLANCHA! Direct hit and they both go down!
Khan gets up and fires up! Khan drags Sanada up as the ring count starts, and he puts Sanada in at 6 of 20. Khan drags Sanada up for an INVERTED EXPLODER! Throne Cradle, TWO! Basement BOOT! Khan tries the Throne Cradle again, with a bridge! TWO! Sanada is still in this and fans rally up, but Khan drags Sanada up into a gut wrench. Khan pops Sanada around, but Sanada slips out to a dragon sleeper! Khan fights free, Sanada dodges to QUEBRADA, to the dragon sleeper! But Khan fights free to HITSUJIGOROSHI! Sanada endures, and pulls Khan’s ponytail! Sanada then gets the dragon sleeper back!
But Khan clamps on the iron claw! HITSUJIGOROSHI! Sanada endures again, jumps and KNEES Khan away! Fireman’s carry, throw to the dragon sleeper! SKULL END, but Khan rolls through! Iron claw, ELIMIN- NO! Sanada arm-drags, dodges and O’Conner Rolls with- NO! No bridge! Khan has the iron claw again! ELIMINA- NO! Sanada gets a waistlock, but no O’Conner as Khan bucks free! Khan gets around, HITSUJIGOROSHI!! Khan has Sanada again, thrashes him around, but Sanada again endures! Sanada throws haymakers, so Khan scoops him! Sanada fights free of the powerslam to get the dragon sleeper!
Khan pushes free, but Sanada has the chicken wings! TIGER SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Khan survives but Sanada goes up top! ROUNDING BODY PRESS onto knees! Khan saves himself but both men are down! Fans rally up, Sanada and Khan slowly rise. They go forehead to forehead, then they throw forearm for forearm. They stand, Khan forearms but Sanada forearms back! Fans rally up as they pick up speed going back and forth! Khan ROCKS Sanada, but Sanada EuroUppers! Khan HELL STABS! Sanada UPPERCUSTS, spins, but into another HELL STAB! But Sanada SOBATS! STRAIGHT RIGHT from Khan!! Cover, TWO!!
Fans are fired up again while both men are down. Khan gets up, goes to a corner, and he bangs his head on the buckle pad to fire himself up! Khan slashes his throat and gives thumbs down, SECOND ROPE MOONSAULT! Then iron claw, but Sanada victory rolls, pops Khan down, body scissors to BRIDGING CLUTCH! SANADA WINS!!
Winner: Sanada, by pinfall
Khan can’t believe it! He, the professed great technician, gets caught by a technical hold! Khan is furious, but will he learn to tranquilo like the Cold Skull?
Tetsuya Naito VS Jeff Cobb!
We just saw Sanada redeem himself from the Six Man Tag defeat, but now we will see if LIJ’s charismatic leader can do the same. Will Naito make Cobb tranquilo? Or will the Hawaiian Hulk SMASH Naito in the New Year?
As always, Naito takes his time with everything, especially taking off the elaborate entrance attire. He keeps throwing pieces to Cobb, but Cobb says, “Tranquilo,” and he politely hands those to the Young Lions to put away. But then Cobb CLOBBERS Naito as soon as the pants are gone! The bell rings as Cobb fires off forearms in the corner! The ref counts, Cobb keeps hammering so the ref backs Cobb down! Fans rally, Naito gets back up, and Cobb throws a heavy body shot! Cobb whips corner to corner, runs in, but Naito boots him! Cobb comes back, but into another boot! Cobb is annoyed, but he turns around into a dropkick to the legs!
Naito kicks Cobb’s leg, stomps away on it, but the ref has him back off while they’re in the ropes. Naito just goes after Cobb again! Naito lets off to appease the ref, then he stomps Cobb more! The ref tries to stop Naito again and Naito shoves him down! Naito drags Cobb up, Cobb ROCKS Naito with a forearm! And then another one! Cobb has Naito and suplexes him, but Naito knees free! Naito kicks the legs out and Cobb falls to the floor. Naito builds speed, but then just rolls. Wait, not to tranquilo, but to redirect and dropkick Cobb! Cobb hits railing and fans fire up! Naito goes out to stomp Cobb, then bring him up to whip.
Cobb reverses, scoops, and pops Naito up to a suplex position! Cobb POSTS Naito, then POSTS him again, before the RUNNING SUPLEX! Fans cheer the show of strength, then rally as both men stir. Cobb gets up and gets in the ring while Naito sputters. The ring count starts, Naito flounders up, but the count passes 10 of 20. The count reaches 15, Naito drags himself up the railing, and hobbles at 18 to get in at 19! Cobb stomps Naito, Naito sputters more, and then Cobb sits him up to JAM a knee into his back! And even uppercut him in the back! Naito writhes, Cobb stomps him down again. Cobb drags Naito up to suplex, stall, and then trophy lift and TOSS!
Naito flops to the ropes after that “victory driver,” and Cobb walks over. Cobb stands on Naito’s back! Fans rally while Cobb mocks Naito’s pose. The ref counts, Cobb hops off, and he drags Naito up. Cobb picks Naito up to RAM him into a corner! And then goes corner to corner, and back again! Fans rally, Cobb CHOPS Naito! And CHOPS! Cobb backs up to run in and basement dropkick! Naito writhes while clutching his ribs, but Cobb hobbles to bring Naito back up. Naito throws a forearm but Cobb doesn’t flinch. Naito keeps trying but Cobb doesn’t budge. Naito kicks but Cobb blocks to then ram Naito down with a shoulder!
Cobb sits Naito up for a DEADLIFT suplex! Naito slips off, Cobb ROCKS him with a right, but Cobb runs into a SHOTGUN BOOT! Fans rally up while both men are down again! Naito gets up, Cobb follows. Naito throws forearms and kicks but Cobb still doesn’t budge. Naito kicks and whips, back elbows Cobb down, then basement dropkicks the leg! Naito gets Cobb back up, whips him to a corner, then runs in to JUMP KCIK! Leg sweep! COMBINACION feint to dropkick the bad leg! And then the basement dropkick to finish the combination! Naito poses and fans rally up. Naito drags Cobb to center and hooks up the leg in a TRAILER HITCH!
Cobb endures, crawls, and gets the ROPEBREAK! Naito holds until the ref undoes the hold for him. Fans rally up again, Naito stands Cobb up to kick the bad leg. Naito then gets the leg, but Cobb blocks the lift. Cobb CHOPS Naito, Naito comes back but Cobb avoids the basement dropkick! Cobb drags Naito up, OVERHEAD Belly2Belly! Cobb has some blood in his mouth, but he gets up to hobble and run in at Naito. Back elbow, then a BIG back suplex! Cobb crawls to the cover, TWO! Cobb grows frustrated with Naito, but he hobbles after him. Fans rally, Cobb drags Naito back up, and whips him to ropes. Naito holds ropes, Cobb blocks the boot but Naito gets around to TORNADO DDT!
Fans fire up while both men are down again! Cobb drags himself up in the corner, Naito runs in to dropkick the leg again! Naito goes up the corner, reels Cobb in, ESPARANZA! Then CORRIENDO- NO! Cobb powers out but Naito dropkicks his leg out again! Naito gets Cobb up in the corner, puts him up top, and Naito elbows away on the bad leg! Naito climbs up to join Cobb, but Cobb turns that into a SUPER POWERBOMB!! Both men are down again and fans fire up more! Cobb crawls to another cover, TWO!! Naito is still in this but Cobb’s too tired to be frustrated. Cobb gets up, the blood actually coming from his nose.
Cobb drags Naito up, whips him to ropes, and scoops, but Naito gets the bad leg! KNEEBAR! CALF SLICER!! Cobb endures, Naito thrashes the leg, but Cobb reaches out! Cobb has blood in his nose but he powers up to push back and hammer away on Naito! Naito lets go, Cobb waistlocks and deadlifts for the GERMAN SUPLEX! Cobb drags Naito up, runs, but Naito dodges the lariat to throw back elbows! Naito kicks the leg, Cobb headbutts, Naito ENZIGURIS! Cobb LARIATS! Fans fire up, Cobb roars and drags Naito back up! Cobb whips, scoops, but Naito escapes to suplex, VALENTIA! Naito drags Cobb up, wrenches, tilt-o-whirls, DESTINO!! Cover, Naito wins!
Winner: Tetsuya Naito, by pinfall
Los Ingobernables de Japon is avenged! Naito and Sanada take both matches, is LIJ going to rise up and rebel in the New Year?
IWGP US Heavyweight Championship No Disqualification Match: KENTA VS Hiroshi Tanahashi!
Fang Revived claims to be the more deserving of this belt because he’s more American than The Ace. But will knowing complex English words keep Tanahashi from using anything and everything to beat Kenta’s ass? Or will Tanahashi’s rage get the better of him like it did last night?
The introductions are made, Kenta already brings out a pair of kendo sticks from under the ring, and he throws one to Tanahashi. Red Shoes gets the belt, and the kendo duel is on! The bell rings, Tanahashi disarms Kenta then fires off on him! Kenta bails out, Tanahashi goes out to SMACK him more! They go around the way, Tanahashi SMACKS Kenta again, but Kenta grabs the belt from the timekeeper’s table! BELT SHOT! Kenta gest the kendo stick and he SMACKS Tanahashi now. Tanahashi sits up, Kenta SMACKS him back down! And SMACKS him again! And again! Kenta drags Tanahashi up, puts him in the ring, then brings the kendo stick.
Kenta SMACKS Tanahashi more, and more, then throws the stick down as it starts to break. Kenta goes out to look under the ring, and he brings out a chair, a few trash can lids, and then the busted up IWGP US Heavyweight Championship Right to Challenge case? That thing hasn’t been thrown away yet? Oh, wait, Kenta brings in the trash can, too. Kenta gets the chair and he SMACKS Tanahashi on the back! The padding comes off so Kenta already throws that away, to then SMACK Tanahashi with the trash can lid! Kenta picks up what appears to be a serving tray, and he SMACKS Tanahashi with that, too!
Kenta goes out to look under the ring again, and fans rally as he brings out a ladder! Kenta puts the ladder in, stomps Tanahashi down, and he sets the ladder up in the corner. Kenta brings Tanahashi up, whips him in and Tanahashi collides with ladder! Tanahashi writhes on the mat but Kenta fetches the good kendo stick. Kenta SMACKS Tanahashi down, then gets the trash can. Fans rally up, but Kenta runs at Tanahashi, but Tanahashi dropkicks the legs out! Kenta faceplants into the trash can! Fans rally up as Tanahashi gets the trash can’s lid! Tanahashi SMACKS Kenta right in the head!
Tanahashi buffs the dent out of the trash can, raises it up and SMACKS Kenta in the head with it! Tanahashi puts the can around Kenta, then gets the chair! TRASH CAN HOME RUN! Fans cheer this edgier side of The Ace as he goes out and looks under the ring. Tanahashi brings out… a guitar?! No more air guitar, this one is real! Tanahashi waits for Kenta to get free of the trash can, before he gives Kenta a SMASH HIT! Tanahashi doesn’t stop there, he goes back out and looks under the ring. Tanahashi brings out a table! Tanahashi sets it up at ringside, goes back to the apron, but Kenta elbows him! Tanahashi gets a leg, for a DRAPING DRAGON SCREW!
Kenta writhes and clutches his knee, but Tanahashi drags him around to tie up the legs in the TEXAS CLOVERLEAF! But Kenta has the briefcase! Kenta SMACKS Tanahashi with it! Not the first time, either, but that was the hardest one yet! Kenta kisses his best friend, and then BRIEFCASE BUSAIKU KNEES Tanahashi down!! Kenta drags Tanahashi up, throws him out hard, and sees the table nearby. Kenta drags Tanahashi up, throws haymakers, then puts Tanahashi on the table. Kenta rains down rights, then goes to a corner. Fans rally up as Kenta climbs, but Tanahashi hurries up after him! Tanahashi throws hands, then climbs up!
Fans fire up as Tanahashi aims for the table! Kenta resists, throws body shots, and even elbows. Tanahashi steps down, Kenta rains down fists. Tanahashi SHOTEIS, and Kenta flops into the ring! Tanahashi hops down to look under the ring again. Tanahashi brings out another chair, and another chair, and another chair, and another, and another, and another! Half a dozen chairs are in a pile, and Tanahashi drags Kenta up. Kenta grabs for anything but Tanahashi keep shim away. Kenta resists the German suplex with elbows! Tanahashi SHOTEIS, runs, FULL METAL SLINGBLADE!! They land hard on all the chairs!!
Tanahashi sets Kenta on his chair pile, climbs up top, FULL METAL HIGH FLY FLOP!! Kenta dodges and Tanahashi crashes down! Fans fire up as Kenta goes to a corner. Kenta then puts Tanahashi in the corner to scrub his boot on Tanahashi’s face. Kenta piles the chairs onto Tanahashi now, then goes corner to corner to FULL METAL DROPKICK!! A bit double-edged but Kenta doesn’t care! Kenta drags Tanahashi out of the pile, brings him around to a fireman’s carry, GO TO- NO! TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Tanahashi holds on, for a TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT on the chairs! Fans rally up as Tanahashi goes back out and looks under the ring once more.
Tanahashi searches, but he can’t find anything good. So he just hauls the table he set up into the ring! Tanahashi stands it up near a corner, and he brings Kenta up. Tanahashi scoops Kenta to put him on the table. Tanahashi also shoves a chair down onto Kenta! Fans fire up as Tanahashi climbs up the corner! But Kenta gets up to SMACK Tanahashi with the chair! Kenta makes sure the table is back up, and he climbs up to go after Tanahashi. Tanahashi resists the superplex with body shots, but Kenta throws headbutts! Kenta goes to the very top, and he SUPER FALCON ARROWS Tanahashi through the table!! Fans fire up while both men are down!
Kenta doesn’t cover, he goes back outside. Kenta searches under the ring, and searches a bit more. What could he be looking for? Kenta finds a new table! Kenta gets the table in the ring, then rains down fists on Tanahashi. Kenta isn’t done here, he goes back under the ring, and he brings out a very tall ladder! Kenta gets that in the ring, leans it up in a corner, then stomps Tanahashi. Kenta stands the ladder up to set it up, and fans rally up as Kenta complains the ref should be helping him! Red Shoes sure isn’t doing that, so Kenta has to finish it up on his own. Kenta SMACKS Tanahashi with a trash can lid, and he still has to fasten the other side of the ladder!
Kenta finally has the ladder propped up, and then he sets up the table nearby. Kenta smacks Tanahashi on the table, then punches him down to keep him on the table. Kenta climbs the ladder and fans fire up as he reaches the top! Kenta aims, but Tanahashi gets up to shake the ladder! Kenta holds on, but the ladder tips! Kenta falls onto the trash can! Red Shoes checks but Kenta is okay to continue, so Tanahashi brings Kenta to the table. Kenta is busted open, Tanahashi shoves him down onto the table. Tanahashi fires up, climbs up, and fans fire up with him! Tanahashi reaches the top and takes aim, for an ORBITAL HIGH FLY FLOW!!
Tanahashi has to crawl out of the wreckage to cover, Tanahashi wins!!
Winner: Hiroshi Tanahashi, by pinfall (NEW IWGP US Heavyweight Champion)
Speaking of orbital, how is Kenta’s face after all that? There’s a lot more blood coming from his nose, will he be alright? As for Tanahashi, he gambled and came out the winner! Will he go to new extremes to prove he’s still the Ace?
IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Kazuchika Okada VS Will Ospreay!
Once again, the Rainmaker is holding the top title in all of NJPW! But after such a powerful fight against the Rampaging Dragon, does Okada have enough to thwart the Commonwealth King? Or will Ospreay regain the title he never truly lost?
Ospreay’s entrance has a video photo album of those he defeated in 2021 to establish himself as the “REAL” IWGP World Heavyweight Champion. Then he rises up from the stage, and the rest of the United Empire appears behind him. Ospreay has his copy of the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, as well as the Warrior Wrestling Championship and both belts that represent the Undisputed Rev-Pro British Heavyweight Champion. The Empire makes sure Ospreay is introduced as the real world champion, but he still has to win here to make that official. Okada’s introduction is made, Okada’s belt is raised, but tonight, we see if it stays Okada’s past 24 hours!
Fans rally up already with the bell as these two stare down. They circle, approach, stare down some more, and Ospreay smirks as he and Okada circle again. Ospreay then shoots in to get a leg and he brings Okada down to a facelock. Ospreay powers Okada to a press, ONE, but Ospreay holds on as they goa round. Okada gets a leg pick, lateral press, ONE as Ospreay gets away. Fans cheer the early exchange, and the two reset. They feel out the knuckle lock, tie up collar ‘n’ elbow, and Ospreay wrenches to a wristlock. Okada rolls, trips Ospreay and has the toehold, but Ospreay pulls at hair. Ospreay uses a leg to hook Okada for an armbar, but Okada powers his way up.
Okada facelocks Ospreay then floats to a headlock. Ospreay fights up, Okada grinds the hold, but Ospreay powers up to pry at the hold. Okada clamps the headlock on tighter and grinds, but Ospreay pulls hair. Ospreay powers out, Okada runs him over, but Ospreay kips right up! Fans cheer and Ospreay smirks, then fires off forearms! Ospreay runs, into a BOOT! Okada drags Ospreay up, Ospreay stomps his foot! Ospreay bumps Okada, runs, but into a back drop! Ospreay gets some air and crashes down! Okada brings Ospreay back up to CLUB him on the back! Okada reels Ospreay in for another CLUB to the back.
Ospreay goes to a corner, kicks back but Okada blocks to CLUB the leg. Okada then turns Ospreay for a NECKBREAKER! Cover, ONE!! Okada keeps on Ospreay with a chinlock. Fans rally while Ospreay endures. Ospreay fights up, throws body shots, but Okada ROCKS him with a forearm, Okada whips, Ospreay reverses, but Ospreay misses in the corner. Okada puts Ospreay up top, but Ospreay kicks him away! Ospreay puts Okada up top to CHOP him down! Okada is on the apron, Ospreay drags him through the ropes, DRAPING DDT! Cover, TWO! Ospreay keeps his cool as he goes right to the apron. PIP PIP CHEERIO!
Okada bails out but Ospreay goes out after him. Ospreay looms over Okada, drags him up by his jaw, then CHOPS him! Okada staggers around the way, Ospreay follows after. Ospreay chokes Okada against the railing in front of the timekeeper’s area to make Okada look at all the belts! Ospreay then DECKS Okada, and says he is the real champion! Ospreay drags Okada up, puts him in the ring, and covers. Red Shoes refuses to count after the shenanigans, so Ospreay sits Okada up to KICK him in the back. And again. Okada eggs Ospreay on, Ospreay KICKS him more! Okada still eggs Ospreay on so Ospreay fires off forearms and ROCKS Okada!
Okada stands up, Ospreay wrenches and CHOPS him. And CHOPS! Ospreay reels Okada in but Okada fights the backbreaker with elbows. Okada runs, but into a SPIN-OUT BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Ospreay is annoyed but fans rally up as Okada survives all those rotations. Ospreay drags Okada up, KNEES him in the back, and again, then clamps on a cravat. Okada endures, fans rally up, and Okada powers up to throw elbows and body shots. Ospreay CLUBS Okada, whips him to the corner, but Okada reverses. Okada runs in, but Ospreay BOOTS him! Ospreay runs but into a FLAPJACK! Both men are down and fans fire up!
Ospreay gets up but Okada follows. Okada rallies with forearms and elbows, then whips. Ospreay reverses, Okada ducks and dodges, and CLOBBERS Ospreay with the elbow! Okada drags Ospreay up, whips him to the corner, runs in and back elbows. Okada kicks and DDT’s! Cover, TWO! Okada staggers up but eggs Ospreay on. Fans rally up and Ospreay stands, Okada tries the Alabama lift but Ospreay fights it. Ospreay whips, Okada reverses, but Ospreay handsprings! Okada gets under, Alabama lift to REVERSE NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Okada keeps cool as he drags Ospreay up. Ospreay blocks the gut wrench, but Okada powers through!
Ospreay kicks, gets to the apron, and throws body shots through the ropes! Ospreay aims for the ramp, but Okada fights the suplex! They’re both on the apron, Okada CLUBS and ROCKS Ospreay but Ospreay hits back. They brawl on the edge, forearm for forearm! Ospreay gets the edge, then CHOPS, but Okada SHOTGUNS Ospreay into the post! Ospreay crashes down and fans are fired up again! The Empire coaches Ospreay up but Okada stands first. Okada gets Ospreay and he whips Ospreay into railing! Okada then BOOTS Ospreay over the railing! Okada wants more space so people move aside. Okada runs in and FLIES, into a SUPERKICK!!
Ospreay shoots Okada out of the air, and Okada clutches his leg after that crash landing! Okada drags Ospreay up, bumps him off girders, and then decides to climb up! Fans are thunderous as Ospreay goes up and up, and then up a little more! Ospreay ORBITAL ARIHARA MOONSAULTS!! Fans are electric as Ospreay hits the mark!! Khan fans Ospreay off as he walks around to make sure his leg is alright. A ring count starts, climbs to 5 of 20 before Ospreay gets Okada up. They return to the ring at 11 of 20, and fans cheer as Ospreay climbs up. Okada stands, Ospreay BLINDSIDE PIP PIP CHEERIOS! Ospreay gets Okada up, LIGER BOMB!! Cover, TWO!!
Fans fire up as Okada is still in this! Ospreay keeps his cool, drags Okada up, and turns him, but Okada elbows free! Okada throws forearms and EuroUppers, then runs, into a TIGER WALL KICK and ENZIGURI! Fans fire up as Okada bails out, and Ospreay builds speed! SASUKE SPECIAL!! But Okada catches him?! TOMBSTONE to the floor!! Fans are thunderous as both men are down on the outside! The ring count starts again, and Okada stirs at 9 of 20. Okada stands at 12, hobbles over and drags Ospreay up at 15, and puts him in at 16. Fans cheer as Okada goes up the corner now. Ospreay stands, Okada SHOTGUN MISSILE DROPKICKS! Cover, TWO!
Okada drags Ospreay up, wrenches and has the MONEY CLIP! Ospreay endures, pries at the hold, but he RAMS Okada into a corner. Ospreay is free but Okada SHOTGUN dropkicks him again! Fans rally again as both men are down! Okada goes to Ospreay, drags him up, scoops and SLAMS, then goes back up the corner. MACHO ELBOW! Fans rally more as Okada strikes the Rainmaker Pose! Okada ripcords, Ospreay wheelbarrows, but Okada GERMAN SUPLEXES! Ospreay lands on his feet to ROUNDHOUSE! Ospreay whips, Okada reverses, but Ospreay avoids the dropkick, SHOOTING STAR onto knees!
Okada hurries to whip Ospreay, but Ospreay turns dropkick into LIGER BOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Fans fire up again and Ospreay drags Okada back up. Ospreay suplexes to hang Okada out to dry. Ospreay HEEL KICKS Okada, then FRONT KICKS him! Okada is stuck, Ospreay goes to the corner and climbs up. SHOOTING STAR GUILLOTINE! Ospreay goes right back up the corner, SHOOTING STAR PRESS! Cover, TWO!! Okada survives again! But Ospreay wont’ stop, he stands Okada up and springboards, OSCUTTER! Cover, TWO!! Ospreay is beside himself but fans are thunderous! Khan coaches Ospreay and he gets Okada back up.
Ospreay reels Okada in, turns him, DREAM SMASHER ELBOW! Ospreay then aims from the corner, Okada sits up, HIDDEN- NO! Okada ducks, gut wrenches, but Ospreay turns it around! TOMBSTONE! Ospreay grins as he mocks the Rainmaker Pose! Takagi learned the hard way to not do that, but Ospreay drags Okada up. Ripcord, but Okada gets around to backslide! Ospreay rolls through, into double underhooks!? Okada gets Ospreay up, and steals STORMBREAKER!!! Cover, TWO!!! Ospreay survives and fans are thunderous again! Okada roars and he drags Ospreay back up. Ripcord, but Ospreay elbows free! So Okada BLINDSIDE DROPKICKS him to ropes!
Okada whips Ospreay, dropkicks him down again! Okada ripcords, RAIN- SPANISH FLY!?!? Ospreay snatches that one outta nowhere! Ospreay gets Okada’s arm, drags him up, and short arm LARIATS! Ospreay holds on, copying one of Okada’s signature tactics, and he gives him another short arm LARIAT! Ospreay goes to the corner, up, up and SUPER OSCUTTER!! Cover, TWO!??! Okada survives yet again and Ospreay is enraged! He underhooks and lifts Okada, but Okada slips out to gut wrench! SPINNING TOMBSTONE!! Okada roars, drags Ospreay back up, ripcord and RAIN- NO! Ospreay slips through to underhooks!
STORM- NO! Okada slips out, rip cords, DISCUS RAINMAKER! Okada gets Ospreay right back up, ripcords, TRUE RAINMAKER!! Cover, TWO?!?! Now Ospreay shocks Okada! Fans are electric again as both men are down. Okada drags Ospreay up, for the MONEY CLIP! Ospreay tries to fight back but he’s already fading. Fans rally up, Okada cranks on the hold harder, but Ospreay grits his teeth. Ospreay fights up, but Okada keeps him from ropes with a BACK2BACK- NO! Ospreay slips free, but Okada ducks the buzzsaw! Ospreay ducks the lariat to steal the RAINMAKER!! Both men are down again and fans rally hard as ever!
Ospreay and Okada slowly rise. Ospreay SLAPS Okada, so Okada SLAPS back! They give more SLAPS, then Ospreay throws a forearm. Okada forearms back, so Ospreay throws another. Okada gives it back, but Ospreay hits him again. Fans rally up as they stand and keep throwing forearms. Okada hits Ospreay and Ospreay wobbles. Ospreay comes back to go forehead to forehead before throwing another forearm. Okada gives it back, they keep going, faster and faster, then at the same time! Okada gets the edge, and he ROCKS Ospreay! Ospreay staggers around, Okada DECKS him! Okada checks his jaw before he drags Ospreay back up.
Okada backslides, rolls through, LARIAT! Okada holds on, stands Ospreay up, and LARIATS again! Okada drags Ospreay up, ripcords, but Ospreay pop-up FOREARMS Okada! Then HIDDEN BLADE!! Cover, TWO!??! Fans fire up as Ospreay fires up, and Ospreay drags Okada up to underhook. Okada fights so Ospreay fires off Kowata Kicks! Underhooks, but still no Stormbreaker! Okada back drops and sits on the cover, TWO! Okada EuroUppers, Ospreay HOOK KCIKS! Ospreay underhooks, but Okada slips out to LARIAT! Ospreay stays up, and V-TRIGGERS! He’s not Kenny! But he HEADBUTTS Okada down!
Ospreay roars, fans are electric, and off comes the elbow pad! HIDDEN- DROPKICK! Ospreay is right back up?! But he runs into the SIT-OUT PILEDRIVER! Ripcord, TRUE RAINMAKER!!! Cover, Okada wins!!!
Winner: Kazuchika Okada, by pinfall (Undisputed IWGP World Heavyweight Champion)
The Rainmaker keeps his promises! He stops Ospreay, holds onto this belt, and makes it rain in the New Year! Red Shoes presents him with the belt, and it is now, without a doubt, Kazuchika Okada as NJPW’s top champion! Will Ospreay just have to settle for having three other belts around his waist?
Okada gets the mic to say, “Ospreay. The real champion is speaking, but I will say that your strength is real.” The fans cheer the respect Okada shows to Ospreay as the United Empire make their exit. Okada then says that he can now say he is, “without a doubt,” THE IWGP World Heavyweight Champion! As with Takagi yesterday and Ospreay tonight, Okada vows to give us 50th anniversary worthy matches against worthy opponents. “So please, keep your eyes on Kazuchika Okada, the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion!” But wait, here comes Naito! He did win earlier tonight, and it seems pretty clear why he’s returned.
Naito goes right to the ring, picks up the mic, and notes again that Okada defeated Takagi yesterday, and Ospreay tonight. “Right now, the strongest man in NJPW is undoubtedly Okada. And that’s exactly the Okada I want a piece of. That’s why I want to challenge for the belt around his waist.” So how about Okada’s next challenger be Tetsuya Naito? The fans applaud, and Okada gets the mic back to say the fans think it’s a good idea. Okada VS Naito, huh? How about it? Fans continue to applaud, and Okada says that sounds like a 50th anniversary worthy match. Naito raises his fist as a salute before he leaves. Will the Rainmaker tranquilo in his next title defense?
Okada again says, “Sounds good for the 50th. Now that I’m champion, I promise you more matches just like that.” Okada thanks the fans for their support these past two days in the Tokyo Dome, and knows that though they couldn’t shout out, they found other ways to cheer. Their support reached all of the wrestlers, and they gave back what they could in return. “This 50th anniversary celebration has just begun. So please, keep giving us your support.” And one more thing. “Inoki-san, I’m waiting for you to grace this NJPW ring again. With willpower, you can do anything, right? Inoki-san, please find energy and come back to this ring! I think you’re needed here for this anniversary.”
Okada continues to say that he hopes the people take care of themselves during these difficult times, because he wants to wrestle in front of a cheering crowd again. Fans applaud that, and Okada gets a bit emotional now. Okada hopes we never go back to empty arena shows again. “I want to fight for all of you!” Every wrestler in NJPW is giving their all, so please keep fighting alongside them! NJPW has made it these 50 years, and he vows to lead it these next 50, so please stay with him! “I’ll make it rain on NJPW!” The Rainmaker is as passionate as ever, will he keep things going as the New Year rolls on?
My Thoughts:
Another great event for NJPW and WrestleKingdom, but I did end up skipping the three opening Six Man Tags. I didn’t really have time to cover them, since it was another hour on top of the main show, but I did skim them. Pretty good stuff to warm up the crowd, and I think the most shocking thing was that Master Wato got the win, and by making El Desperado tap out! Perhaps they’re looking to make Wato next up for the title, though I feel like he already got his win here. The Triple Threat Tag for the Junior Heavyweight Tag titles was great, especially with them finally proving ELP uses something in his boot. The champions retaining makes sense, there’s a lot of fight left in Tiger Mask.
The Stardom tag match was great stuff. All four women got to look great and used a lot of their movesets here, but it was a natural choice for the top Stardom champion to get the win here. And I figured as much yesterday, with Yoh, Goto & Hashi all winning the other matches that the House of Torture would retain the Six Man titles. There’s a chance Evil & Yujiro try for the IWGP Heavyweight Tag titles, and no idea if there’s any other trio that could move up to take these NEVER titles off Bullet Club. Suzuki being the one winning the KOPW trophy here was quite the surprise, but I bet that means we’re getting a string of rather sadistic stipulations for when Yano tries to challenge him.
Good stuff in the NEVER Openweight Six Man title match, but as I figured yesterday, Chaos got their wins and so House of Torture retains. Evil is probably going to be NEVER Openweight Double Champion for some time, and I kinda hope it leads to something with him and Jay White since Ishii took that from White. NOAH’s wrestlers showing up was quite a surprise, but it makes sense given the crossover event. Kiyomiya and Kenoh gave good promos, but a bit of a bummer that the livestream of the event is on a different provider than NJPW World. I like that it was Takagi & LIJ that confronted NOAH, with Kenoh able to play off how Takagi lost the title. We’re going to get a lot of great stuff out of that event, and it’s anyone’s guess as to who wins the “series.”
The last two matches of the night were awesome stuff. The No Disqualification match was great stuff, and they really brought out everything in that match. I love that Kenta refuses to give up his Right to Challenge briefcase, even though it’s practically in shambles. But that finish, wow that was rough for Kenta. I think he got both a broken nose and a cut on his face somewhere from that trash can, and then he still has to get crushed through the table. Tanahashi winning here was big stuff, and it seems the US title is staying in Japan for a bit. Then of course, the world title match was another stellar instant classic from Okada and Ospreay. Those guys can do no wrong, and that super moonsault was wild.
But naturally, Okada wins here, he is pretty much Mr. NJPW at this point. Okada VS Naito is set up for the next major event, and Okada has another great promo to close out the show for the fans. Okada will definitely carry NJPW for the majority of this year, if not the whole year, so let’s hope his dream, and everyone’s dream, of no longer worrying about COVID becomes a reality.
My Score: 9.2/10
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Have a Holly Jolly Rampage!
The Continental Classic rolls on, and Brody King takes on Komander in hopes of grabbing three more points towards the top of Gold League!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Konosuke Takeshita & Brian Cage w/ Don Callis VS “Powerhouse” Will Hobbs & Mark Davis; Konosuke & Cage win.
- Lio Rush & Action Andretti VS Myles Hawkins & Goldy; Lio & Action win.
- Willow Nightingale VS Harley Cameron; Willow wins.
- AEW Continental Classic, Gold League: Brody King VS Komander; Brody wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Tony Schiavone is in the ring!
Schiavone welcomes out the Blue League’s current points leader, Kyle Fletcher, and of course… Don Callis. But they’re not alone as the rest of the Don Callis Family makes their way out to the ring. Wait, shouldn’t Brian Cage be in New York for Final Battle…? Well anyway, Schiavone says there’s a lot of gold and- Callis takes the mic, and he says, “I have something important to say.” The fans boo and Schiavone excuses himself as Callis says the Don Callis Family are the TRUE One Percenters of professional wrestling! They prove it each and every day!
Murder Machines: The most feared tag team in the world! “Don Callis’ favorite wrestler,” Kyle Fletcher, shows every day why he is THE One Percent! He beat Will Ospreay! He beat Kazuchika Okada! And now, he’s gonna beat Daniel Garcia and win the Continental Classic! Callis hands the mic over to Kyle and Kyle says it might be true that last Saturday wasn’t the best day for Kyle, but anyone watching that match saw the clear bias from the officials in this company! The fans boo as Kyle claims there is an agenda in AEW to see the Don Callis Family NOT succeed. But it doesn’t matter, it changes nothing!
Kyle WILL be the winner of the 2024 Continental Classic. That brings Kyle to Daniel Garcia. “You wanna talk about restoring the feeling, Daniel? I couldn’t care less about your feelings! All I speak are facts! And the fact is, I am the hottest young prospect in this industry, and I will be the future of this whole place!” The fans boo more but Callis says one last thing he wants to say, is when you’re the One Percent, you’re not like the other 99! They are not like all of these fans! They are not like “the boys in the back,” like Mark Davis & Will Hobbs, “a couple of scab workers!” They’re not even in the same business, Hobbs!
And Callis has waited to get Hobbs on a PPV so that the world could watch why they call Konosuke Takeshita “The Alpha.” And Hobbs, YOU are not in the same business as Konosuke, and you find that out at Worlds End! But speaking of, here comes the Powerhouse! Will he and Dunkzilla finish things with the Don Callis Family? Or will the AEW International and ROH World TV Champions get even for last week?
Konosuke Takeshita & Brian Cage w/ Don Callis VS “Powerhouse” Will Hobbs & Mark Davis!
The teams sort out and Konosuke starts against Hobbs to give the DC fans a preview of Worlds End. Hobbs and Konosuke step up, talk trash, and then the forearms go back and forth! The fans cheer for “MEAT! MEAT! MEAT!” and Hobbs ROCKS Konosuke! Hobbs even shouts “MEAT!” before he whips Konosuke. Konosuke ducks ‘n’ dodges but then so does Hobbs! Hobbs SPINE- NO, Konosuke flails free and Hobbs says it was that close. Konosuke says to cool off while he paces on the outside. Konosuke steps back into the ring, but he tags to Cage. The fans stay fired up for “MEAT! MEAT! MEAT!” as Cage and Hobbs circle.
Hobbs and Cage DOUBLE LARIAT! Neither man falls, so they DOUBLE LARIAT again! And again! And again! Cage kicks low, shouts, “Who Betta Than Cage?” But then Hobbs CLOBBERS him! Hobbs even gets Konosuke to back down with a glare. Hobbs brings Cage up to fire forearms, then he tags Davis. Davis & Hobbs double whip and DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE! The fans fire up as Davis stalks Cage to a corner. Davis CHOPS Cage, and CHOPS again! And CHOPS again! Cage sputters but Davis scoops to SLAM Cage down! Then ELBOW DROP! Cover, ONE! Cage stays in this but Davis bumps him off buckles.
Tag to Hobbs and he brings Cage out. Hobbs and Davis reel Cage in, fans chant “AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE! MEAT MEAT MEAT!” but Konosuke makes the save! Konosuke swings, Hobbs dodges, so the elbow DECKS Davis! Hobbs ROCKS Konosuke, Cage ROCKS Hobbs! Cage clinches, Konosuke returns, KNEE RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP COMBO! Cage covers, TWO! Cage rains down fists, the ref reprimands, but Cage steps off. Cage drags Hobbs up, bumps him off buckles, and tags Konosuke. The Callis Family stomps a mudhole into Hobbs, but then Hobbs CHOPS Konosuke! Konosuke snarls, and he CHOPS in return!
Konosuke ROCKS Hobbs, climbs up, and he rains down fists! The fans count but then Konosuke BITES Hobbs on the forehead! The ref counts, Konosuke lets off, and Hobbs sputters on the ropes. Konosuke tags to Cage and the Family gets Hobbs up. They DOUBLE SUPLEX Hobbs! Cage covers, TWO! Cage drags Hobbs up but Hobbs fires body shots. Hobbs UPPERCUTS but Cage ROCKS Hobbs! Cage ROCKS Hobbs again, Hobbs fires back, repeat! The fans rally for “MEAT! MEAT! MEAT!” Cage gets the edge, then whips, but Hobbs KICKS him away! Cage swings, Hobbs bobs ‘n’ weaves, to then hit an EXPLODER!
The fans fire up while Hobbs crawls, hot tag to Davis! Davis fires hands on Cage, “MEAT! MEAT!” Davis DECKS Cage, then whips him to ropes. Cage reveres but Davis picks him up, BACKDROP! Davis SENTONS but onto knees! Davis writhes, Cage tags Konosuke! POWER- NO, Davis stops the knee! Davis takes a swing but Konosuke ducks that, to BLUE THUNDER BOMB!! High stack, TWO!! Davis survives and Konosuke snarls, but Rampage goes picture in picture.
Konosuke rains down fists on Davis, but lets off as the ref reprimands. Konosuke tags Cage and Cage drags Davis up. Cage ROCKS Davis, whips him into a corner, and Davis hits buckles chest first! Cage RAMS into Davis, and RAMS in again, then CHOPS! Davis staggers but Cage whips him to ropes. Davis reverses, to dosido with Cage, only for Cage to CLOBBER Davis! Cage BOOTS Davis down, covers, but Hobbs breaks it! Cage gets mad and the ref reprimands Hobbs, then Cage soaks up heat from DC. Cage stalks Davis to a corner and fires haymakers! The ref reprimands but Cage DECKS Davis! Cage soaks up more heat while he flexes.
Holiday Bash returns to single picture while Davis crawls. Cage storms over but Davis fires hands! Davis CHOPS, CHOPS, but Cage JUMP KNEES! Cage whips Davis, Davis cartwheels and swings on Cage! Cage blocks, waistlocks, but Davis switches! BIG back suplex! The fans fire up as Davis rises and reaches out! Davis crawls, as does Cage, hot tags to Hobbs and Konosuke! Hobbs LARIATS Konosuke, LARIATS again, then runs up to LARIAT in a corner! Cage runs up but he’s send into Konosuke! Hobbs SANDWEICHES the Family! Hobbs whips, Cage reverses, but Hobbs comes back to CLOBBER him! Hobbs scoops Cage for a POWERSLAM!
The fans fire up but Konosuke runs up! Hobbs scoops him, too! POWERSLAM! Hobbs pumps up and the fans are with him! Hobbs stomps and shakes the ropes, then he goes back for Konosuke. Konosuke rises, Hobbs pops him up, but Konosuke ELBOWS him! Konosuke fires hands, then ROLLING ELBOWS! Hobbs staggers, Konosuke whips him, but Hobbs reverses! SPINEBUSTER! Cover, Davis blocks Cage, but Cage SHOVES Davis onto the cover! Cage then TOSSES Davis out, and he goes back for Hobbs. Hobbs TOSSES Cage! Hobbs grins as he has Konosuke alone. The straps come down, and Hobbs runs up, only for Konosuke to dodge!
Konosuke runs, Cage tags in, and Konosuke BOOTS Hobbs in the corner! Cage runs up to UPPERCUT, GAMANGIRI, and then GERMAN SUPLEX! Hobbs flounders, Cage hauls him up, PUMP HANDLE FACEBUSTER!! Cover, TWO!! Hobbs survives and Cage is furious! Cage tags Konosuke, the Family gets Hobbs up, and they double wrench to double whip. But Hobbs breaks the double lariat and Davis tags in! Hobbs DOUBLE LARIATS Cage & Konosuke! Davis runs up, they STEREO LARIAT! Konosuke BOOTS Davis and Cage waistlocks Hobbs. Konosuke runs but Davis GAMANGIRIS! Cage SUPERKICKS Davis!
Hobbs SNAP POWERSLAMS Cage! ALPHA ELBOW from Konosuke! Davis GERMAN SUPLEXES Konosuke! Cage fireman’s carries Davis, F5!! Cage runs up on Hobbs but Hobbs dodges! Hobbs LARIATS Cage and himself out of the ring! The fans fire up while Davis rises again! Konosuke also stands, and they run up! DOUBLE LARIATS! Davis GAMANGIRIS, Konosuke ends up in the corner! Davis goes side to side, SLIDING FOREARM! The fans roar as Davis hauls Konosuke up! Konosuke fights the lift, dodges Davis, and comes back, DOUBLE LARIATS finally take both men down! But not for long as they both roar to their feet!
Konosuke swings, and he SWATS Davis’ enzigiri! Konosuke then POWER DRIVE KNEES!! And then, RAGING FIRE!! Cover, Callis Family wins!
Winners: Konosuke Takeshita & Brian Cage, by pinfall
The Alpha slam dunks on Dunkzilla, and now he has 8 days to prepare for the Powerhouse! Will Konosuke hold onto his International Championship against Hobbs? Or will taking that title be the perfect payback?
Backstage interview with Willow Nightingale.
Renee Paquette is with the Babe with the Power who is in action later tonight. But first, Renee wants to congratulate Willow to making it to the finals of the inaugural International Women’s Cup. She heads off to Tokyo very soon, how is she feeling about it? Willow is very excited. Inaugural WrestleDynasty, one step closer to the inaugural International Women’s Cup winner, and so it is mind boggling after how- Kris Statlander steps in. Kris tells Willow that there is a lot she should say, but for now, she’ll say good luck at the Tokyo Dome. #BornAgainKristen takes Willow by surprise, will Willow win tonight and have momentum going to the New Year?
Lio Rush & Action Andretti VS Myles Hawkins & Goldy!
The dysfunction in Top Flight Airlines led to The Bad Child & The Sight to See winning over Darius & Dante Martin, meaning they’re next up to face Private Party. Will this be little more than a tune-up for Lio & Action?
The teams sort out, Lio starts against Myles, but then Lio handspring kicks Goldy off the apron! Myles back suplexes but Lio lands out and then dodges! Myles falls out of the ring, Action handspring kicks him down! Lio DIVES onto Goldy! Action DIVES onto Myles! The fans fire up as Action puts Myles in fast. Lio joins Action and they mug Myles. Myles fights back with forearms and CHOPS! Myle runs, but Lio & Action split the difference. Lio spins Myles for Action to mule kick, knee lift and ROLLING ELBOW! Lio fires fast hands, then DECKS Myles! Goldy springboards but Lio & Action dodge! Lio eggs Goldy on, then he and Action split the difference again!
Action runs up, Goldy dodges, but Lio LARIATS Goldy on the other side! Myles whips Lio but Lio hits RUSH HOUR! Action torture racks Myles for a NECKBREAKER! Lio covers, Lio & Action win!
Winners: Lio Rush & Action Andretti, by pinfall
Fast win for this furious duo, but “Oh my gosh, is that Private Party?” Marq Quen & Isiah Kassidy make their way out here and DC fires up! The AEW World Tag Team Champions call for “SHOTS! SHOTS! SHOTS!” Lio & Action get their shot in the near future, but wait! Dante & Darius make their way out here? Private Party looks to the tunnels, but Lio & Action CLOBBER them from behind! Dante, Darius & Leila don’t worry about the champs, they stare Lio & Action down. Lio & Action hold up the belts, then throw them at the Martins. The refs keep this from getting any more physical, but will Lio & Action take those belts from Quen & Zay soon enough?
Backstage interview with Harley Cameron.
Renee is now with the “multifaceted” Harley and notes she’s in action against Willow Nightingale tonight. Harley says yes, she IS multifaceted. She wants us to appreciate ALL her facets! Renee says yes, but she has yet to earn a singles win in AEW. Fine, ruin her fun. But then Harley asks if some person off camera is gonna say anything or just stand there. In steps Penelope Ford, and Mrs. Superbad says yes, she was simply observing. But Ford couldn’t help but notice that she and Harley share a lot of similar… facets. Harley asks how much Ford’s cost. Uh, no, not those…
Ford meant that she hasn’t had such a good 2024, either. So from The Bad Girl to the… Harley doesn’t have a good nickname yet. Well, don’t worry about it. Ford will watch Harley’s back and Harley will watch Ford’s. Wait, is something on Harley’s back? No, Harley… Just good luck. FEEL THE WRATH OF HARLEY CAMERON! No, she was being nice to you, Harley. Right, don’t feel the wrath of Harley Cameron. There is nothing on your back, Harley, stop scratching. Wait! W-What? Nothing, sorry. But will Harley be feeling Willow’s wrath instead?
Willow Nightingale VS Harley Cameron!
The bell rings and the fans rally as the two tie up. Harley pushes but Willow digs in her heels to SHOVE Harley down. Harley comes back, she and Willow reset and tie up again. Willow puts Harley in a corner, the ref counts, and Willow lets off. DC duels between Willow and Harley, and Harley wants a Test of Strength. Willow accepts the knuckle locks, but then Harley kicks low! Harley runs, wheelbarrows, but Willow turns that into a BIG back suplex! The fans cheer as Willow runs, DIVING BODY PRESS! Cover, TWO! Willow bumps Harley off buckles, then fires LARIAT after LARIAT! The fans count al the way to TEN!
Willow brings Harley out with a smile, and scoop SLAMS her! Harley flounders, Willow storms up on her for another scoop and SLAM, right as Rampage goes picture in picture.
Willow storms around while Harley staggers up. Willow scoops Harley again, then carries her around to put her in the Tree of Woe! Willow stomps a mudhole in, then lets off to run up! But Harley BOOTS her while upside-down! Harley gets free, ELBOWS Willow, then runs to knee her low! Harley runs with Willow to HOTSHOT BULLDOG! Willow is stuck in ropes, and Harley AX KICKS her! Harley then headscissors Willow to CHOKE her in the ropes! The ref counts, Harley lets go at 4, and Harley soaks up cheers and jeers from DC. Harley stomps Willow, then drags her to the outside. Harley SMACKS Willow off the apron!
Harley paces while Willow flounders, and Harley has her against railing. Harley CHOPS Willow, then brings her around. Willow blocks the bump to SMACK Harley off the apron! Harley turns things around to SMACK Willow off the apron! Harley shoves Willow in, storms up on her, and stands her up for buckle bumps. Harley stomps Willow, digs her boots in, and she thrashes around! The ref counts, Harley lets off at 4, but Willow elbows her in return! Harley RAMS into Willow again and again, but Willow CLUBS Harley! Harley ROCKS Willow, whips her to ropes, and ELBOWS Willow down! Harley soaks up more cheers and jeers while Rampage goes to break.
Holiday Bash returns and Willow CANNONBALLS, but Harley dodges! Willow hits only buckles and she hobbles after Harley. Harley kicks, KNEES, and ENZIGIRIS! Harley roars, runs, and SHINING WIZARDS! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up but Harley grows frustrated. The fans rally while Harley waistlocks, but Willow switches! Harley kicks free to switch back, but Willow ELBOWS Harley back! Willow fireman’s carries, storms around, but Harley pops up! Harley fires down elbows, then victory rolls, TWO! Willow escapes and ROCKS Harley! Fireman’s carry, DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Cover, TWO!
Harley survives but Willow roars! The fans fire up as the straps come down! Willow gut wrenches for the BABE WITH THE POWER BOMB!! Cover, Willow wins!
Winner: Willow Nightingale, by pinfall
Willow faced the wrath of Harley Cameron and she prevailed! But then PENELOPE FORD goes after Willow! The fans boo but Ford did say she’d back Harley up. They both beat up on Willow, but here comes Kris! Kris Statlander storms the ring, Harley & Ford run away! Willow is again surprised, but the fans want these two to “Hug It Out! Hug It Out!” Kris says no, she doesn’t feel like it’s the right time. Kris lets Willow have the ring, is this proof that the #BornAgainKristen isn’t just a nickname?
Team Triple J speaks backstage.
Standing alongside Jay Lethal, Satnam Singh, as well as Jeff & Karen Jarrett, Sonjay Dutt says, “They’ve asked us to look back and reflect on 2024, and Jeff, guys, what an incredible series of moments we’ve had in 2024.” The group agrees. From Wembley Stadium to Double J being in the Owen Hart Cup, some true career highlights that he will cherish forever. But Jarrett doesn’t like looking in the rearview mirror, he likes to look ahead. Next week, he’s not bringing resolutions, he’s bringing a game plan for 2025! What does the Last Outlaw have in store for himself and the team in the New Year?
AEW Continental Classic, Gold League: Brody King VS Komander!
While the rest of Gold League stands at 6 points, these two men are struggling to keep up. Will the King of Death join that traffic jam at the front of the block? Or will the Commander of the Skies be a spoiler for Christmas?
The bell rings and we’re on the clock. Brody and Komander circle while the fans bark it up. There are fans who sing “OLE~ OLE OLE OLE~” for Komander as the two tie up. But then Brody picks Komande up with both hands, and puts him on the to rope. Brody pats Komander on the shoulder, and the fans bark more. Komander hops down, not intimidated by Brody’s size. Komander then dodges Brody, DROPKICKS him, but Brody CLOBBERS Komander on the return! Brody eggs Komander on and then scuffs him. Komander gets mad and CHOPS! Brody grins and eggs Komander on. Komander CHOPS, but Brody wants more!
Komander fires up to CHOP, but Brody CHOPS Komander down! The fans fire up and Brody grins. Komander sputters, Brody paces, and Brody drags Komander up. Brody CHOPS Komander again! Brody bumps Komander off buckles, CHOPS again, and Komander flounders away! Brody stalks Komander to the corner, CHOPS him again, and Komander falls over! Brody hauls Komander up, whips him, but Komander goes up and over! Komander ducks ‘n’ dodges, but Brody BACKDROPS Komander! The fans bark while Komander writhes, and Brody drags Komander up. But Komander fires body shots and a CHOP!
Brody KNEES low and Komander drops. Brody CHOPS Komander again! Brody asks, “Are you done?!” Brody whips Komander, but Komander ducks ‘n’ dodges to then springboard, but Brody catches Komander with ease! Brody pops Komander up, but Komander pops free, sunset flip, ONE!! Brody drags Komander up and CLUBS him! Komander wobbles, Brody ROCKS him again! Brody drags Komander off the ropes, suplexes, but Komander slips around! SLEEPER! Big men still have to breathe, but Brody RAMS Komander into the buckles! Brody swings, misses, and that bad hand hits post! Komander fires KICKS on the legs!
Komander bobs ‘n’ weaves, kicks, mule kicks and ENZIGIRIS! Brody wobbles and the fans rally up! Komander knuckle locks, CHOPS, and he goes up and up and jumps around! But Brody breaks the grip and DOUBLE CHOPS Komander to the floor! The fans bark it up and the ref checks Komander while Rampage goes picture in picture.
Brody storms out after Komander, who is somehow still in this. Brody drags Komander up, and he whips Komander hard into railing! Brody revels in the DC dogs barking, and Brody stands Komander up. Brody CHOPS Komander off his feet, then refreshes the ring count. Brody drags Komander up, and whips him hard into railing! So hard, in fact, that Komander goes up and over! Brody hurries to haul Komander back up, and he suplexes Komander to the floor! Komander writhes more while Brody refreshes the count again. Brody goes back to Komander, scuffs him, and brings him back up.
Komander KICKS Brody, CHOPS, but Brody CHOPS him down! Brody revels in the noise from DC while he stands on Komander’s neck! The ref reprimands, Brody steps off and rolls into the ring. Brody again refreshes the count so he can fetch Komander. Brody puts Komander in the ring, covers, TWO! Komander is still in this but Brody is more amused than anything. Brody paces then brings Komander up. Brody CHOPS Komander to a corner, then revels in the noise a bit more. Brody then digs his boot into Komander, but lets off as the ref counts. Brody drags Komander up to CHOP, but Komander CHOPS! Brody CHOPS Komander down!
Brody digs his boots in again, but the ref counts. Brody steps away, then drags Komander to his feet. Brody ROCKS Komander as the Holiday Bash returns to single picture. Brody eggs Komander on, stands him up, and ROCKS him again! Komander flops against ropes but Brody dares him to keep fighting. Komander staggers up, but Brody CHOPS him! Komander is stinging but Brody ROCKS him! Brody whips, Komander ducks ‘n’ dodges to QUEBRADA, but Brody catches him! But Komander slips down into the STANDING BONE LOCK! The fans fire up but Brody powers up! Brody THROWS Komander right off! SENTON FLOPS as Komander moves!
Komander hurries to basement DROPKICK! The fans fire up as Brody and Komander both crawl to ropes! They both stand, Brody runs up, but Komander swings around, CRUCIFIX DRIVER! Brody flops out to the floor! Komander sees that and the fans fire up! Komander builds going side to side, and he goes up and up and CROSSBODIES, but Brody catches him! Brody RAMS Komander into the railing! And then whips him hard into more railing! Brody makes Komander take a seat, then CHOPS him! The fans bark with Brody as he gets space, and Brody runs back in, but Komander ducks! Brody CRASHES into railing!!
Komander has the fans all fired up as he rises! Komander rolls into the ring, the count is climbing, but Brody is rising! So Komander runs corner to corner to go up, up and AWAY!! Direct hit with that escalara cannonball! The fans fire up as Komander rises again! Komander and Brody both head for the ring while fans sing again, “OLE~ OLE OLE OLE~!” Komander has Brody in the drop zone! Komander goes up the corner, but Brody CLUBS him first! Brody has Komander in the Electric Chair Lift, then goes up the corner!? But Komander fights, shifts, and SUPER SUSNET FLIP POWERBOMBS!!
Brody is in the drop zone again and Komander rises! 450 SPLASH!! Cover, TWO!! Brody survives and Komander cannot believe it! “This is Awesome!” as Komander rises and goes to another corner. Komander tunes up the band, runs corner to corner, but Brody SLAPS him first! Brody runs but Komander dodges, Brody POSTS himself! Komander is on the apron and he runs up, to SHOTGUN Brody to the floor! Brody sputters, Komander climbs the corner, and the fans are thunderous! Komander springboards to ARIHARA MOONSAULT! Another direct hit and Komander feels so close to his first points in the C2!
Komander hurries to get in the ring, but then slides out to start a new ring count. Komander climbs again while Brody rises. Komander watches Brody slide in, then tightrope walks to CIELITO LINDO!! But that was on Brody’s back! Komander pushes Brody but that’s a lot of dead weight to push! Brody sits up but Komander KICKS him! Komander roars, the fans fire up, handspring- TORTURE RACK! Brody flips Komander around, GONZO BOMB!! Cover, Brody wins!!
Winner: Brody King, by pinfall (gains 3 points; Komander earns 0)
If it wasn’t clear before, this was a painful punctuation mark, Komander is mathematically ELIMINATED from the semifinals. However, Komander’s final C2 match is Dynamite’s Miracle on 34th Street against Claudio Castagnoli! Can Komander be the biggest spoiler of this entire tournament? Can Brody prove to everyone in the Gold League that the House Always Wins?
My Thoughts:
A great Rampage here for Holiday Bash, though some clear redundancies from last week’s Winter is Coming edition. We got another group Don Callis Promo, and we barely got anything different from Callis and Kyle. The tag match’s only changes were Cage switching in for Archer, even though Cage is in reality defending his ROH World TV Championship in the Hammerstein Ballroom for Final Battle, and then the Callis Family wins this time so Hobbs and Konosuke can be even going towards Worlds End. Now, Konosuke could very well retain the International Championship at Worlds End because NJPW is totally open to Konosuke Takeshita VS Shingo Takagi being Winner Takes All, AEW International and NEVER Openweight titles on the line together.
Lio & Action of course won their match, but the real purpose was to get a confrontation out of them, Private Party and OG Top Flight, Darius & Dante. Good stuff, and it teases anywhere between a Triple Threat to Lio & Action VS Darius & Dante Round 2. Very good promo from Triple J to set up for something, anything really, for 2025. Fight for the Fallen can even be the start of whatever that plan is as part of the “mother of all streams.” And good stuff with the women’s division tonight. Ford & Harley makes a natural duo now given their names, and Willow and Kris could possibly reunite now that Kris is a Face again. That wouldn’t really make up for the weird fumble in the middle where Tony Khan just wanted Kris to get away from Stokely, but hey, this story itself could be really well done.
And great stuff out of Brody VS Komander, really got the drama going before the end. I mean, we all knew Komander was out of the running before tonight, and was most certainly taking the loss here, but Komander got to really show some grit. And now, five people at 6 points going into the final round, they’re really adding great drama to Gold League. Collision tomorrow and then Dynamite Miracle on 34th Street will be some great stuff, but I still think Ospreay should be one of the semifinalists, the second spot can be whoever they want.
My Score: 8.8/10
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Feel the StrongEST, the FastEST, the RoughEST, the ToughEST, and the BEST Glow!
With Jade Cargill out of action, Naomi is stepping in to help Bianca Belair defend the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships tonight on SmackDown!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Six Man Tag: The Bloodline VS LA Knight, Apollo Creed & Andrade; The Bloodline wins.
- Braun Strowman VS Carmelo Hayes; Melo wins.
- Johnny Gargano VS Alex Shelley; Gargano wins.
- WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Bianca Belair & Naomi VS Nia Jax & Candice LeRae; Bianca & Naomi win and retain the titles.
PLAY BY PLAY
Solo Sikoa is here!
The fans boo as the “Undisputed” Tribal Chief leads the Samoan Werewolf and Good Bad Guy to the ring. Roman Reigns put out the challenge for Tribal Combat, and on January 6th, in Los Angeles, for the first-ever Monday Night Raw on Netflix, it will happen! But first, Solo and his Bloodline go to the ring, and the fans chant “O T C! O T C!” Solo tells them all, “ACKNOWLEDGE ME.” The fans boo instead, as expected. Solo lets that slide, and he says, “Roman Reigns sat on his little boat with The Wise Man and decided to challenge me on January 6th to a Tribal Combat match for the ula fala on Monday Night Raw, the debut on Netflix.”
The fans “WHAT?” Solo says instead of saying that, the fans should ACKNOWLEDGE HIM. The fans boo more, but Solo says shut your mouths and listen to what THE Tribal Chief has to say! The fans continue to boo and they continue to chant, “O T C! O T C!” Solo tells Roman that if he wants Tribal Combat, if he wants to take THE Tribal Chief to war, then let’s do it! Solo will leave his Bloodline behind, “WHAT?” Roman will leave his behind, “WHAT?” They’ll leave the Wise Man behind. “WHAT?” Jimmy and Jey, too. So listen and listen carefully: On January 6th, Solo walks in and walks OUT as THE Tribal Chief!
The fans boo more but Solo says on January 6th, he will STILL be the Head of the Table! He will STILL be YOUR Tribal Chief! And he will STILL have the ula fala! So Roman, after Solo beats your ass in LA, Roman can go back out on his little boat, sail off to the Island of Irrelevancy, and Roman can finally ACKNOWLEDGE SOLO. But wait! Drew McIntyre is here!? The Scottish Terminator has already hit Jey Uso, Jimmy Uso and Sami Zayn, but let’s not forget Solo was chief among those who screwed McIntyre out of the world championship. Solo has Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga stand down as McIntyre goes to the ring.
McIntyre grabs a mic but Solo tells him, “I gotta admit, I was very happy when you kicked my brother, Jimmy, in the face last week. Yes, I was very, very happy. But you better have a damn good reason why you’re interrupting me.” McIntyre says he’ll make it quick because it causes McIntyre physical pain to be this close to Solo and not beating Solo within an inch of his life. You like what McIntyre did to Jimmy? What about Sami and Jey? McIntyre wants to know, when Solo lies in bed at night, is he asking when McIntyre is coming after him? Because Solo is the one that cost McIntyre the title at Clash at the Castle.
Solo is the one who caused McIntyre’s family the pain and misery that caused him more pain and misery! But Solo also stood up to Roman Reigns. The only one to have the balls to stand up to Roman! The rest of them acted tough, acted like they were going to do something, but Roman snapped his fingers, didn’t change one bit. McIntyre’s heart says jump Solo, but McIntyre’s head says he and Solo have the same goal. So here’s what McIntyre is thinking: McIntyre can start working through the hit list, taking out more and more OG Bloodline members, and Solo does one thing for him: Take out Roman for good.
The fans boo but McIntyre says once all that business is finished, then he and Solo can settle theirs. But then JIMMY yanks McIntyre out of the ring! And CRACKS him with the crutch! And again! And then he runs up to CLOBBER McIntyre! McIntyre goes running into the crowd, Jimmy does his best to pursue, but now here comes LA Knight, Apollo Creed & Andrade! The Bloodline has a Six Man Tag on their hands, will Knight even let Solo make it to LA?
Six Man Tag: The Bloodline VS LA Knight, Apollo Creed & Andrade!
The brawl is on, Apollo after Tama, Andrade after Jacob, and Knight after Solo! Solo shoves back, but Knight LARIATS him up and out! Apollo DUMPS Tama and Andrade BOOTS Jacob! Apollo BOOTS Jacob, then Andrade BOOTS him again! Jacob tumbles out but Solo has him stand down! The Bloodline regroups while SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and the match is already going as Apollo ducks ‘n’ dodges Tama to then slide under. Tama keeps moving, Apollo hurdles over, drops down, then DROPKICKS! Apollo fires up and the fans are with him, then Apollo gorilla presses Tama! The fans fire up and Apollo marches around. Apollo says this is for Solo, and he DROPS Tama! Tama flounders, Apollo brings him over, and he tags in Knight. Knight fires hands on Tama, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight brings Tama around to whip but Tama reverses. Knight catches Tama for a SWINGING NECKBREAKER! Cover, ONE!! Tama is tougher than that but Knight stomps him.
Tag to Andrade and the unlikely partners mug Tama. Andrade CHOPS Tama, then has him in a corner. Andrade tags Apollo, they double whip Tama to DOUBLE ELBOW! Apollo covers, TWO! Tama stays in this but Apollo drags Tama up. Apollo ROCKS Tama, the fans rally, and Apollo ROCKS Tama again. Apollo tags Andrade back in, they mug Tama, but Tama fires body shots! Tama shoves Andrade but Andrade RANAS on the return! Tama tumbles out, Jacob runs in, but Andrade DUMPS him out! Tag to Apollo, and then Andrade climbs! Apollo builds speed, and Apollo FLIES while Andrade ARIHARA MOONSAULTS!
The fans fire up as Knight then gets in to keep Solo back! Knight dares Solo to try something, but Solo stays back. Knight goes back to his corner while Apollo puts Tama in. The fans fire up as Apollo reels Tama in. Tama fires body shots and switches to a waistlock. Apollo elbows free, but Jacob sneaks a tag! Tama shoves Apollo and Jacob BODY CHECKS Apollo! The Werewolf is all geeked up while SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again and Solo whips Apollo to ELBOW him down! Solo throws up the one but the fans boo. Solo drags Apollo up, bumps him off buckles, and the fans rally. Solo UPPERCUTS Apollo down, then stalks him along the ropes. Solo drags Apollo up but Apollo fires hands! Solo keeps Apollo from his corner but Apollo throws more shots! Solo whips Apollo hard into the Bloodline corner! Tag to Jacob and he looms over Apollo. Jacob drags Apollo up to scoop and SLAM! The fans boo but Jacob runs to SENTON, onto knees! Apollo saves himeslf and both men are down! They crawl, hot tag to Andrade!
El Idolo dodges Jacob, BLASTS Tama then ROCKS Solo! Andrade fires hands on Jacob, runs, then ducks ‘n’ dodges to FLYING FOREARM! Jacob tumbles to a corner while Andrade kips up! The fans fire up and chant “SI! SI! SI!” Andrade runs in, CIEN SHADOWES! Cover, TWO!! Jacob survives but Andrade keeps his cool. Andrade goes up a corner, MOONSAULT DOUBLE! Cover, TWO!! Andrade is frustrated now as Jacob survives again! Andrade thinks on what to do, and he brings Jacob up. Andrade fires forearms but Jacob grabs Andrade’s neck! Andrade fights free and fires more shots, but Solo sneaks a tag!
Andrade whips, Jacob reverses, but Andrade KICKS Jacob away! Jacob just roars! Andrade runs up, Jacob FLAPJACKS him into Solo’s HOTSHOT! That combo sends Andrade tumbling out to the floor, and Solo brings him up to POST him! The fans boo as The Bloodline stands tall, and Solo shows off his ula fala. Solo goes back to Andrade and puts him in the ring. Tag to Jacob, and Jacob whips for a POP-UP SAMOAN DROP! Andrade sputters and coughs while Jacob is geeked up again, and SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Jacob watches Andrade crawl to the apron, and waits for him to go to a corner. Andrade sits up but into the HIP ATTACK! Jacob snarls as he kicks Andrade around. Tag to Solo and he whips Jacob for Jacob to whip him! Another HIP ATTACK on Andrade! Solo scowls at the fans, then talks trash on Andrade. Solo drags Andrade by his foot and brings him over to tag Tama. Tama then slingshot ELBOW DROPS! Andrade sputters more but Tama covers, TWO! Andrade is still in this, but Tama rains down fists on Andrade to keep him down! Tama HAMMERS and CLUBS Andrade, then he talks smack on Apollo and Knight.
Tama kicks Andrade to the Bloodline corner, drags him back up, and then fires a BODY SHOT! Andrade sputters, Tama tags Jacob, and then Jacob whips Tama in for a STINGER SPLASH! Andrade falls over, Jacob clamps claws into the shoulders! Andrade endures, fights up, but Jacob HEADBUTTS him down! Jacob clamps the claws on again and really digs into Andrade’s shoulders! Andrade kicks and flails in pain but Jacob just thrashes him around more! Jacob shouts at Andrade but Andrade fights up to his feet! Andrade fires body shots, but Jacob HEADBUTTS him down again! Jacob stalks Andrade to a corner as SmackDown returns to single picture.
The fans boo but Jacob rains down fists in the corner! Jacob then sucker punches Apollo! Andrade sits up, Jacob runs in, but Andrade moves! Hip attack hits buckles and the fans fire up! Andrade and Jacob crawl, Solo shouts for Jacob to get up! Jacob grabs Andrade’s foot and brings him up! Andrade ENZIGIRIS free! Hot tags to Tama and The Mega Star! The fans are thunderous as Knight dodges then CLOBBERS Tama! Tama flounders to a corner, Knight stomps away on him, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” The ref counts, Knight stops at 4, but then he CLOBBERS Jacob! KNEE for Tama! Solo runs up to TOSS Knight!
Knight dodges Solo in the corner and hits a NECKBREAKER! The fans fire up even more and Knight tags Apollo. Knight hits Tama with the BIG back suplex! Apollo goes up top for the FROG SPLASH! Cover, TWO!! Tama survives but Apollo clamps on with a CROSSFACE! Knight WRECKS Jacob with a dropkick, and the Samoan Werewolf tumbles up and over the desk! Knight goes out to say that’s what Jacob gets, BUT SHINSUKE IS HERE!? Nakamura CLOBBERS Knight into the desk! The King of Strong Style gets away with that while the ref was busy checking Tama! Solo CLOBBERS Apollo, but Andrade whips Solo!
Solo reverses and ELBOWS Andrade! Solo drags Tama to their corner and then tags in. Solo aims at Apollo, HIP ATTACK! Solo hauls Apollo up, URENAGE! And then SAMOAN SPIKE!! Cover, Bloodline wins!!
Winners: The Bloodline, by pinfall
It seems Drew McIntyre isn’t the only one who is surprisingly on Solo’s side. The sinister samurai made sure to strike from the shadows to screw over Knight, will Knight make sure Nakamura comes to regret it? As for Solo, he is rolling towards the Raw Netflix debut, will he not need his Bloodline to retain the ula fala?
Backstage interview with Motor City Machine Guns.
Byron Saxton is with Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin ahead of the emotional grudge match. Shelley takes on his former friend, student, and the man who betrayed MCMG to take those WWE Tag Team Championships. That man is Johnny Gargano, so what thoughts are flowing through Shelley’s mind? Shelley says it is one thought: Payback. Sabin says they’ve known Gargano almost 20 YEARS, and only now does Gargano let the mask fall away to show us the truth. Shelley says it cuts a lot deeper when it’s someone you considered a little brother. Shelley tells Johnny that he makes sure Gargano knows he made the BIGGEST mistake of his life.
Sabin asks Shelley if he’s ready to do this. Shelley says this is something he has to do alone. He wants to see if Gargano is man enough to do the same. Sabin says okay, let’s get warmed up. Shelley wants a 1v1 shootout with Johnny Wrestling, but will Gargano do anything but do this himself?
SmackDown shares footage from after Saturday Night’s Main Event.
Byron Saxton was with Chelsea Green & Piper Niven and said before anything else, congratulations. Chelsea pats herself on the back, Piper pats Chelsea a bit, too, and Byron takes her back through the closing moments. Unpretty-Her on Michin, the bell rings, and we hear Lilian Garcia say the words, “AND NEW Women’s United States Champion, Chelsea Green.” What went through her mind? Chelsea takes out her gum and puts it in “Bryan’s” hand, and then tells him that she always knew this would happen. He might be surprised, and that’s so cute, but she wasn’t. She’s been doing this for ten YEARS, and worked her entire life to be an overnight success.
This is Chelsea’s time! Red, white and Green! Say it with her, Bryan! #RedWhiteAndGreen. So then, let’s talk the historical significance. Chelsea will now go down in the history books as the FIRST-EVER Women’s US Champion, so how does she’s now synonymous with the likes of Harley Race, the first-ever Men’s US Champion? She would say, “Duh.” She’s in the books where she belongs. Probably should’ve been three years ago, but she was released. It should’ve been way back in 2015, but she wasn’t hired. So now is the time. NOW IS THE FREAKIN’ TIME!! Yes, it is her time. What does a Chelsea Green reign look like going forward?
Chelsea says it looks like she’s going to Disneyland, so she’s got a plane to catch. Can they wrap this up? Of course. Have fun in Disneyland. Yes, well-deserved. Piper calls for champagne. Will we never hear the end of this now that Chelsea has gold to go with the ego?
Kevin Owens speaks.
“What happened after Saturday Night’s Main Event was not my fault. There’s a lot of people to blame for it. Cody Rhodes, the referees, Nick Aldis, WWE Management, they’re all to blame. I was screwed out of winning that championship. What happened to me is a travesty, a tragedy! I should be standing here Undisputed WWE Champion, but I’m not. But I took this (the Winged Eagle belt) because I deserve it. And I’m not giving it back until I get what i want. Everyone needs to understand, you can only push a man so much until they snap. But the good news is, I haven’t snapped yet.
“It can all get so much worse, trust me. You don’t want me to snap. So Cody, Nick Aldis, WWE officials, what happens next is on all of you.” The Prizefighter has said his piece, will he hold the championship hostage until his demands are met?
DIY talks backstage.
Ciampa gets it, Gargano’s known MCMG a long time. So it surprises Ciampa that Shelley is so dumb! He wants this grudge match but he can’t win the tag titles back in a singles match. So what’s he doing? Gargano says Shelley wants his payback, that’s obvious. But Shelley wants to challenge Gargano’s manhood?! Gargano is all man! He made a kid! Yeah, Papa John, Daddy Ciampa, of course they made kids. But Shelley did specify that he wants to do this on his own, so Ciampa knows what that means, right? Ciampa has to stay backstage, too. Gargano will handle business by himself. He’s not some naive 18-year-old kid with a dream anymore! Dream came true!
Gargano will go remind Shelley that he’s Johnny Freakin’ Wrestling! So Ciampa can just relax right back here. Ciampa says go get him! Ciampa won’t even move a muscle from here, you can trust him. Can he? Or is this all another facade to lower everyone’s guard?
It’s an all new Grayson Waller Effect!
A-Town Down Under is already in the ring, and fans boo as Austin Theory & Grayson Waller show off the abs. Waller then welcomes us to the Grayson Waller- And Austin Theory…! Effect. The hottest show keeps getting hotter cuz Waller gets scoop after scoop, lads. And tonight is a big scoop! A big, BIG scoop! The first transfer from Raw to SmackDown, it’s the Monster of All Monsters, BRAUN STROWMAN! The fans cheer as Braun makes his way to the ring, and he’s coming out as Santa Braun! Or perhaps, Strowman Claus? Either way, Braun throws free merchandise to the fans, what a gift for Christmas!
Braun empties the bag and then goes to the ring. Turns out, nothing for Waller & Theory! Waller sits behind the desk and thanks Braun for coming. And how nice of Braun to help all the poor here in Hartford. The fans boo and Braun asks if Waller’s really starting this like that. Is he really trying to piss Braun off already? No no no! Braun is right, it really is nice. And this is big! The biggest acquisition in SmackDown history! On the biggest talk show in WWE history! Braun says it doesn’t get any bigger than this, baby! The fans cheer and Waller says before we start, he knows how this goes, sometimes.
Waller just wants us to know that he invested a lot of money into the new set. Maybe we continue to spread Christmas cheer and have a civil conversation. No damage. Well, if Waller runs his mouth, then Braun can promise he’ll wear Waller out using all the stuff in here. Waller says he’s a bit surprised Braun agreed to this. If no one has said before, but Braun is a little intimidating. But the more Waller thought about it, the more it made sense. Even Braun sees the sense in associating with ATDU! The fans boo and Braun says he threw up a little bit in his mouth, and that get a good laugh.
Waller says okay, but SmackDown’s a bit scary right now. Bloodline is going wild, people are getting attacked backstage, and you don’t wanna be alone in the car park. Sorry, parking lot. Braun asks if Waller knows who he’s talking to. No, he didn’t mean anything by it. Waller just figures, it’d be a good idea if Braun looked after Braun for once. And that means setting up the ultimate alliance. Braun Strowman & A-Town Down Under as the same team! They’d be untouchable! The cunning and intelligence of Waller & Theory, Braun’s strength. Get it? Brains & Braun. Braun says he already told Waller to watch his mouth! Does Waller want his set shoved up his-
Wait! Carmelo Hayes makes his way out here! Braun sighs and Melo says no, no, no, cut this out. Melo has a bone to pick with Braun. Aldis thought he was going to humble Melo by setting him up against Braun. Everybody here knows that that wasn’t fair. But newsflash, Nick Aldis, you can’t humble greatness! Melo might lose, but he’ll never quit. So Braun, “you big ugly dumb Santa Claus b*tch,” let’s run this thing back right here, right now! Cuz now, Melo’s ready! Braun says if Melo didn’t learn his lesson last week, Braun will remind him what the Braun Strowman Effect is! Waller & Theory run away as Braun grabs the fake palm trees!
Braun CHUCKS trees at Melo but Melo just laughs. Will Melo not miss the game winner in this rematch? Or will Braun be the one to humble H1M?
Braun Strowman VS Carmelo Hayes!
SmackDown returns and the bell rings. Braun chuckles at Melo wanting to tie up. They do tie up but then Melo slips around to KICK the leg! Braun just brushes that off as he and Melo circle. Melo uses the ropes and even the ref as a shield so Braun backs off. Melo comes back, taunts Braun, then drops back to ropes. The ref wants Braun to let off, and Braun does, but then Melo sucker punches him! Melo talks smack, then whips, but Braun blocks! B raun shakes his head, whips Melo, but Melo ducks ‘n’ dodges ‘n’ slides out. Melo says safe! Melo says he’s smart, but then gets spooked as Braun storms up to ropes!
The ref has Braun stay back, and Melo gets cocky again. Braun signals to the fans that he’s taking a lap and the fans fire up. Braun goes outside, builds speed, but Melo runs! Melo slides into the ring, Braun gets on the apron, but Melo KICKS him! The fans boo but Melo hits the FADE AWAY! Braun flounders, Melo CLUBS and KNEES and repeat! Braun SHOVES Melo out of the ring! Braun shakes it off then storms back up on Melo. Braun YANKS Melo up by his hair! And then he TOSSES Melo across the way! The fans fire up and Braun drags Melo up again. Braun whips, Melo dropkicks the legs out! Braun falls, Melo runs, FADE AWAY, but into Braun’s hands!
Braun pops Melo up, but Melo SPIKE-RANAS! Braun sputters and Melo soaks up heat. Braun rises up like the monster he is! Melo turns around, Braun runs up, but Melo DUMPS Braun out! Melo BOOTS Braun away, then gets cocky again. Melo goes out the side and he runs up a la Braun. But Braun BOOTS Melo right down! The fans fire up and Braun looms over Melo. Braun drags Melo up, whips him at steps, but Melo goes up! Melo leaps, but into Braun’s arms! We’re at 7 of 10 as Melo slips free! Melo SLAPS Braun! Braun grabs Melo by the neck and TOSSES him into the ring! We’re at 10!! MELO WINS!
Winner: Carmelo Hayes, by count out
Talk about rope-a-dope! Melo steals this win by getting the better of Braun’s anger! Braun scowls at smart-aleck Melo, and he storms in! Melo runs out to the crowd and into the night, but Braun pursues! Will Melo #GetTheseHands one way or another?
Nia Jax and Candice LeRae talk backstage.
They’re both excited for the tag title match tonight, because Nia can become a double champion. Tiffany Stratton walks in and Nia says there she is! Tiff wishes them luck tonight, and cannot wait to be there ringside when the ref raises their hands. Nia gets a guilty look on her face and Candice tells Tiff that they were talking… It’s best if Tiff stays in the back. But hey, she can take some notes if she wants. And if she wants to help, she can prepare champagne, balloons and maybe even streamers. They’re gonna need all that after the big win. So Tiff should get on that while Candice & Nia strategize.
Tiff looks to Nia but Nia just says, “Thanks, Tiff.” Tiff leaves, Nia shrugs off the guilt and says she and Candice are ready. Candice is sure Tiff will have the most beautiful party ready for them. Will the Irresistible Force & Poison Pixie succeed in taking the tag titles for their own? Or will it be Bianca & Naomi having that champagne to celebrate?
Melo returns backstage.
And he’s on high alert knowing Braun is still hunting him down. Melo bumps into Legado Del Fantasma, and then Braun storms up! Braun asks where Melo went. Santos Escobar says screw that, he’s no snitch. Braun says not telling is gonna get Santos worse. Angel steps in and says Melo went that way. Braun thanks Angel and storms off after Melo. But then Pretty Deadly asks Braun to please read through their script. Braun slaps the script down and says he doesn’t care about their stupid musical! But then Melo SMACKS Braun with a chair! And SMACKS him again! Melo talks trash before heading out, but Braun gets back up.
Braun is angrier than ever, and he still hunts Melo down! Is there going to be nothing left of H1M after Braun #GetsTheseHands on him?
Johnny Gargano VS Alex Shelley!
Longtime friendships thrown away in order to get ahead is practically cliche in pro-wrestling, but to think Johnny Wrestling would be the kind to do that. Will Shelley make Gargano regret ever treating 20 YEARS like it was nothing?
The bell rings and Gargano runs up! Shelley dodges to fire hands, then he bumps Gargano off buckles. Shelley stomps a mudhole in, then stands Gargano up to dig his forearm in! The ref counts, Shelley lets off, then he climbs up to rain down fists! Gargano YANKS Shelley down! Shelley flounders, Gargano CHOPS Shelley to a corner, then he mocks the MCMG hand pointing. Gargano CHOPS Shelley, ROCKS him, then wrenches him to whip corner to corner. Gargano runs up but Shelley ELBOWS him away! Shelley goes up to FLYING KNEE! And then he CLOBBERS Gargano! The fans fire up as Shelley drags Gargano up.
Shelley wrenches, hammerlocks, but Gargano elbows free! Gargano brings Shelley around to schoolboy ROUNDHOUSE! Shelley sputters, Gargano brings him up, and Gargano says he’s no longer the student. Gargano ROCKS Shelley, stomps away, but stops as the ref counts. Gargano soaks up heat, then shakes out his left hand before he runs up. Shelley puts Gargano on the apron to HOTSHOT! Gargano falls, Shelley aims, and Shelley slingshots to stomp Gargano’s bad hand! Gargano staggers away, but runs back up on Shelley, only for Shelley to jump the sweep! SUPERKICK! Then FLYING KNEE!
The fans fire up while Gargano goes down, and Shelley says that’s what Gargano gets while SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Gargano has Shelley in a clinch. Gargano fires body shots, then he hits a JAWBREAKER! Gargano goes to a corner, Shelley runs up, but Gargano BOOTS back! Gargano runs up and slips around Shelley to SLINGBLADE BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Gargano is frustrated but he stalks Shelley to the apron. Gargano brings Shelley up, talks more smack, and he fireman’s carries. Shelley slips out but Gargano ROCKS him! SLINGSHOT- SUPERKICK! Shelley takes Gargano out of the air and both men are down! The fans rally up, and Shelley stands to CHOP! And CHOP! And CHOP again!
Shelley CHOPS, whips, then kitchen sink knees! And then PENALTY KICKS! Ghost pin, TWO! Gargano escapes, but Shelley wants the arm! Shelley uses the Garga- NO, Gargano turns chicken wing into roll up, TWO!! Shelley escapes, clinches, and spins Gargano, ASAI DDT! Cover, TWO! Shelley wants the arm again! The fans rally as Shelley drags Gargano up, wrenches and wristlocks, but Gargano ROCKS Shelley with forearms! Shelley CHOPS back, CHOPS again, and CHOPS again! Shelley wrenches to an ELBOW BREAKER! But Gargano ENZIGIRIS! Shelley runs up, Gargano dodges and SUPERKICKS!
Gargano scoops Shelley, takes aim at a corner, LAWN DART! Cover, TWO!! Shelley survives and the fans rally up! Gargano grows frustrated but he brings Shelley around. Gargano wants the arm now! GargaNO Escape, but Shelley says NO to that! They both fight up, end up in a corner, and the ref counts. Gargano lets off, to then ROCK Shelley with a cheap shot! Gargano runs up, but into a BUCKLE SHOT! Shelley shakes out the stars and he goes to the corner. The fans fire up as Shelley climbs, but Ciampa shows up! Gargano GAMANGIRIS Shelley down! But wait, here comes Sabin! Ciampa violated the deal first so Sabin’s not letting him do worse!
Gargano climbs up while Sabin chases Ciampa off, but Shelley SHOVES Gargano! CROSSBODY! Gargano rolls through, and pulls tights! Gargano wins!!
Winner: Johnny Gargano, by pinfall
Distraction tactic and pulling the tights? Gargano has no shame! But he and Ciampa have the WWE Tag Team Championships, so is that all that matters?
Backstage interview with Bianca Belair & Naomi.
Byron Saxton is at gorilla with The EST & The Glow, and before they head to the ring, he wants to recap the crazy couple of weeks. The mysterious attack on Jade Cargill, the big win at Survivor Series in WarGames, and now they can solidify themselves as WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions. Bianca says these past few weeks have been rough to say the least. And while you can trust Bianca will find out what happened to Jade, you best believe they won’t be stripped of the tag titles. That’s just what the culprit wants and Bianca isn’t going down without a fight. Thankfully, Bianca has a friend who always has her back.
Naomi says yeah, she’s got her back forever! And she can never turn down a good “snatch ‘n’ drag.” But she also knows how important these titles are to Bianca & Jade, and they’re just as important to her. Naomi will go out there and do everything she has to in order to keep the titles. Bianca holds out Jade’s belt to Naomi, but Naomi says no. Not until she’s earned it. Bianca says okay, and the music hits. Naomi is fired up, will this be the StrongEST Glow yet?
WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Bianca Belair & Naomi VS Nia Jax & Candice LeRae!
SmackDown returns as the Irresistible Force & Poison Pixie make their entrance together. The introductions are made, the tag titles are raised, and we see who is truly the strongest duo!
The teams sort out and Bianca starts against Candice. They tie up as the fans rally, and Bianca powers Candice right to a corner. But Candice pulls the braid! The ref reprimands, Candice shoves Bianca, then pie faces her! But Bianca SHOVES Candice to the corner! Bianca runs up but into an elbow! Candice goes up but Bianca ROCKS her! Bianca gorilla presses Candice but Candice scrambles free! Candice hurries away and she tags in Nia. Bianca says bring it and the fans rally for the “E S T! E S T!” Nia and Bianca tie up, Bianca headlocks, but Nia powers up and out. Tiff is watching backstage as Nia scoops Bianca, only for Bianca to slip free.
Bianca runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges and DROPKICKS! Nia rebounds but Bianca avoids the elbow drop! Bianca tags Naomi then sets Nia up! Naomi and Bianca both run the ropes, Bianca handsprings, SPLIT LEG DROP AND MOONSAULT COMBO! Naomi covers, TWO! Naomi hurries back after Nia but Nia shoves her away. Naomi slides under the lariat then mule kicks! Naomi runs but into a POP-UP HEADBUTT! Nia drags Naomi to a cover, TWO! Naomi stays in this for Bianca’s sake but Nia storms back up as SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Nia DRIBBLES Naomi off the mat, then stares Bianca down. Nia stalks Naomi to a corner, puts her on ropes, and CHOKES her! The ref counts, Nia lets off, and then Nia drags Naomi over to the corner. Nia traps Naomi while she tags Candice. Nia fires some elbows before backing off, and Candice RAMS Naomi! Candice ROCKS Naomi, sits her down, then stomps a mudhole in. Candice taunts Bianca, drags Naomi to a cover, TWO! Candice CLUBS Naomi down, then clamps on with a top wristlock. Naomi endures while Candice leans on the hold. Naomi fights up, arm-drags free, then hurries for her corner!
Candice scrambles after Naomi and THROWS her by her hair! Candice stomps Naomi to the corner, tags Nia, and Nia runs up to HIP ATTACK! Nia taunts Bianca, drags Naomi up, and clamps on with a cobra clutch! Nia leans on Naomi to grind her down. Naomi endures, fights up, and JAWBREAKERS free! Nia staggers around, but she scoops Naomi! Naomi slips free to the apron and HOTSHOTS Nia! Naomi BOOTS Candice. RAMS Nia, then reels Nia in for a HEATSEEKER! Naomi is down, but she BOOTS Nia away before heading for her corner. Candice hurries and tags in, but Naomi hot tags Bianca!
Bianca rallies on Candice with shoulder tackles and DROPKICK! Bianca kips up, wrenches, and suplexes Candice! SmackDown returns to single picture as Candice slips free! Candice dodges Bianca, Nia sneaks a tag, and Bianca scoops Candice for a GUT BUSTER! Bianca runs at the corner to RAM Candice, then she climbs up! The ref tries to explain but Nia runs up! Bianca backflips up and over! Nia almost squashes Candice, but she turns around. Bianca dodges Nia, but Candice hits a CODE BREAKER! SAMOAN DROP from Nia! Cover, TWO! Bianca survives and the fans fire up! Nia snarls as she drags Bianca into a motorcycle stretch!
Bianca endures and the fans rally up. Bianca fights up but Nia POSTS her first! Nia then mocks the fans with clapping, then she scuffs Bianca. Nia dares Bianca to tag, then she THROWS Bianca by the braid! Bianca goes to ropes, and Nia pulls the braid around them! The ref reprimands, Nia lets off, but Candice gets her shots in! The fans boo but Bianca gets away. Nia soaks up the heat and then brings Bianca around. Nia has the cobra clutch back on and she thrashes Bianca around. The fans rally as Bianca endures, and Bianca fights back up. Nia kicks Bianca but Bianca rebounds to reel Nia in!
Bianca tries to suplex but Nia’s too big! Nia shoves Bianca to the corner, but Bianca BOOTS back! Bianca ELBOWS Candice, runs up on Nia, but Nia picks her up! Nia RAMS Bianca into the corner! Tag to Candice and she climbs. Nia holds Bianca up, Candice MISSILE DROPKICKS Bianca into the SPINEBUSTER! Candice then BLASTS Bianca off the apron, then uses Nia as the step for the STEP-UP SENTON! Cover, TWO!! Bianca survives, she’s the toughEST for a reason! Candice is frustrated and she CLUBS away on Bianca! The fans rally for “E S T! E S T!” Bianca throws a body shot but Candice CLUBS her down again.
Candice tags Nia and Nia pulls the braid to keep Bianca back. Nia whips Bianca to Candice but Bianca slips around. Candice standing switches, Nia runs up, but Bianca ducks and Nia clips Candice! Bianca scrambles while Nia checks Candice, hot tag to Naomi! Naomi LARIATS Nia but Nia stays up! So Naomi UPPERCUTS Nia! Nia still stays up! Naomi dodges, goes up the ropes, FLYING CHUCK! Nia wobbles and the fans fire up with Naomi! Naomi reels Nia in but Nia whips her away! Naomi BOOTS from the corner, then goes up! FLYING FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Nia stays in this but Naomi pounds the mat.
The fans rally up, Naoim brings Nia up, but Nia HEADBUTTS her! Nia runs up at the corner, but Naomi dodges to POST her! Nia is down, Naomi goes up! SPLIT LEG MOONSAULT FLOPS as Nia moves! Nia CLUBS Naomi, puts her in the drop zone, then goes up! But Naomi SMACKS Nia off the post! Tag to Bianca, and Naomi gets under Nia?! POWERBOMB!! Naomi drags Nia into the drop zone! Bianca aims for the 450!! Cover, CANDICE BREAKS IT! The fans fire up, Nia is busted open from hitting that post, but here comes TIFFANY! Is she doing what it looks like? Tiff cheers on Candice & Nia, no cash-in yet.
Candice tags in, goes after Bianca, but Bianca RAMS Candice into the corner! Bianca runs but into a BOOT! Candice goes up, TORNADO DDT! Cover, Naomi GAMANGIRIS Candice! Fans cheer “CASH IT IN!” at Tiff but Bianca tags in Naomi. Nia sneaks a tag, and as the Naomi goes after Candice, the ref has to explain. In that distraction, Nia asks for the briefcase! Tiff is conflicted, but she hands it over. But then the ref sees Nia with it! Bianca HANDSPRING KICKS Nia off the apron! Nia falls right at Tiff’s feet! Bianca tags Naomi, then PLANCHAS onto Nia! Naomi has Candice but Candice cradles! TWO!! Naomi KNEES Candice down!
Naomi hurries up, up and SPLIT LEG MOONSAULT! Cover, NAOMI & BIANCA WIN!
Winners: Bianca Belair & Naomi, by pinfall (still WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions)
Tiff’s hesitation costs Nia, and that means Naomi has earned that title belt! Bianca personally hands it to her and the two celebrate together. Will they hold onto the titles all the way ’til Jade is back in action? Or will a team come along that outshines even the StrongEST Glow?
My Thoughts:
A great episode of SmackDown here, though I think it was also prerecorded. They were in Hartford last week, weren’t they? And I thought that was prerecorded given how Jimmy Uso’s promo was received… But speaking of, good stuff from Bloodline to open. McIntyre calling a true with Solo was a bit of a surprise, but I suppose we should’ve seen that coming with how McIntyre is a Heel and often a hypocrite. Jimmy going after McIntyre was also good stuff, he can clearly still be a factor even with a bad toe. Very good Six Man Tag, too, but I should’ve known Nakamura would interfere and cost Knight’s team. Good win for Solo, and we’ve still got a couple weeks before Raw on Netflix, so the go-home math will still sort out with the first SmackDown of 2025.
Very good promos from MCMG and DIY, and of course Ciampa still went out to ringside despite the “promise” he made. And of course Gargano cheated, but that adds heat to the coming tag title rematch. They might even put that on the first SmackDown of 2025 to hype it up. Especially as I think it’s going to be the first THREE HOUR SmackDown. NBC is willing to do that knowing Raw is going to Netflix, meaning SmackDown will get more time to do more great things, which works with all the belts we’ve got now.
Good stuff with Braun and the Grayson Waller Effect, but of course we set up more between Braun and Melo. Clever move for Melo to win by count out, and of course Melo gets cocky for it. Braun was almost classic Braun with how he shrugged the chair shots off backstage. We’ll of course get one more Braun VS Melo, and maybe someone from Legado or Pretty Deadly screws Braun over given how he treated them. Very good promo from Chelsea after her big win on Saturday, and I’m sure she’ll be celebrating this win in both kayfabe and real-life through the holidays, ready to start her first title feud on January 3rd.
Very good promo from Kevin Owens, but I feel like he had to contradict himself here from what he said during the Raw on Netflix “kickoff show” on Wednesday. Kevin said then that he’s going to act as the defending champion with the holiday house show tour, but he said here he isn’t the champion since he got screwed. Either way, he’ll really play up how he is somehow the victim in all this, making the return of Cody Rhodes all the better. We’ll surely get one last match of Cody VS Kevin, maybe with a big stipulation on it, and then we’ll have a moment of (more than likely) Cody holding up both Winged Eagle and corporate logo championships.
And of course, very good stuff in the two main Smackdown women’s stories. That promo from Nia, Candice and Tiff was really good because you kinda feel for Tiff being treated as the odd one out. And then very good promo right before the match with Bianca & Naomi. I like Naomi wanting to earn the belt, and we got a great tag match. Nia surely got busted open “hard way,” aka legitimately, that post surely has edges you gotta watch out for. But Tiff showing up was of course for the briefcase distraction, not cashing in. Tiff hasn’t been pushed that far yet, that might come with the Netflix debut. But Naomi & Bianca of course retained the titles, that’ll cue up Jade making a return to identify her attacker, and it might be Naomi after all…
My Score: 8.8/10
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