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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Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW Road to Wrestling Dontaku Results & Report! (4/19/25)
Parting is such sweet sorrow…

There are more goodbyes than just The Ace’s Final Road.
NJPW already knows Hiroshi Tanahashi will retire with this year, but his final match with Jeff Cobb will also be Jeff Cobb’s farewell to NJPW! Will The Ace never tire out? Or will he take a Tour of the Islands?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- 8 Man Tag: Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Satoshi Kojima, Yuji Nagata & Tiger Mask VS Togi Makabe, Tomoaki Honma, Katsuya Murashima & Daiki Nagai; Tenza, Kojima, Nagata & Tiger Mask win.
- 8 Man Tag: Toru Yano, Boltin Oleg, YOH & Master Wato VS TMDK; Yano, Oleg, Yoh & Wato win.
- Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Jeff Cobb; Tanahashi wins.
- Six Man Tag: Bullet Club War Dogs VS House of Torture; House of Torture wins.
- Six Man Tag: Hirooki Goto, El Desperado & Ryusuke Taguchi VS Callum Newman, Templario & Jakob Austin Young; Goto, Desperado & Taguchi win.
- 10 Man Elimination Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Yuya Uemura, Shota Umino, Taichi, Taka Michinoku & YOSHI-HASHI; LIJ wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Jeff Cobb!
The Ace’s Final Road continues on, but it would seem the Imperial Unit has hit the end of his run in NJPW. Will the President give Cobb a proper sendoff? Or is there one last Tour of the Islands planned?
The bell rings and the fans rally up for “COBBU! COBBU!” Tanahashi nods, and Cobb is emotional hearing that. Cobb and Tanahashi circle, tie up, and Tanahashi waistlocks. But Cobb’s a bit too big to lift even for The Ace. Cobb walks over to the ROPEBREAK, and Tanahashi lets go. The fans applaud and the two reset. They tie up, Tanahashi wrenches and wristlocks, but Cobb powers through, wrenches and wristlocks in return, then hammerlocks to headlock. Tanahashi puts Cobb on the ropes, the ref counts, and Tanahashi lets go cleanly again. The fans applaud the continued sportsmanship, and the two reset again.
Cobb runs up, and he SLINGBLADES?! Cover, TWO!! The “Cobby Cat” strikes again but Tanahashi survives his own move. Cobb whips Tanahashi, Tanahashi grabs ropes, but Cobb runs up. Tanahashi BOOTS Cobb, runs up, but Cobb scoops! Cobb SLAMS Tanahashi, and then air guitars before the GACHIMUCHI- NO, Tanahashi avoids the moonsault! Then Tanahashi sets up, to MOONSAULT!? But Cobb moves so Tanahashi belly flops on the floor! The fans fire up while both men are pulling out all the stops. Cobb steps on Tanahashi, pretends he didn’t see Tanahashi there, and then brings Tanahashi up.
Cobb ROCKS Tanahashi with a forearm, then headlocks. Cobb brings Tanahashi to the ropes to show everyone as he messes with Tanahashi’s hair. Cobb then CLUBS Tanahashi, brings him around, and suplexes. Cobb holds Tanahashi up, the fans cheer as Cobb marches around with him, and then Cobb pops Tanahashi for a POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Tanahashi stays in this but Cobb stays on him with a GROUND COBRA! Cobb uses Tanahashi as the guitar, then CLUBS him in the ribs and chest! Cobb eggs Tanahashi on, and Tanahashi growls and rises up. Tanahashi fires body shots and forearms, but Cobb just HEADBUTTS back!
Tanahashi staggers away to a corner, and Cobb runs up, only for Tanahashi to dodge! Tanahashi dropkicks Cobb’s legs! Tanahashi then grabs one, and Cobb asks for mercy! Cobb apologizes, but Tanahashi says bye-bye! DRAGON SCREW! The fans cheer while Cobb clutches his leg. Tanahashi storms up on Cobb to fire more fast hands! Tanahashi then says, “MY POWER!” And he SCOOP SLAMS Cobb! The fans fire up as Tanahashi climbs the corner. Tanahashi hits the SUNSET SENTON! Cover, TWO! Cobb is tougher than that but Tanahashi gets moving. But Cobb ROCKS Tanahashi! Cobb winds up, he runs, but Tanahashi dodges the slingblade!
Tanahashi waistlocks, Cobb switches, but Tanahashi throws elbows. Cobb picks Tanahashi up to SLAM him down, and FALLING HAMMER! Cover, TWO! Tanahashi stays in this, but the GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULT hits! Cover, TWO!! Tanahashi survives the double impact, but Cobb looms over him. Cobb drags Tanahashi up, fires his own fast hand combo, then scoops to SLAM Tanahashi! Cobb grins as he looks to the corner. The fans fire up as Cobb hops up, air guitar and the pose, SUNSET FLOP as Tanahashi moves! Tanahashi runs, but Cobb grabs tights! Cobb reels Tanahashi in, but Tanahashi elbows free!
Cobb SHOTEIS! Tanahashi SHOTEIS! Tanahashi hits a TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! The fans fire up as Tanahashi goes up the corner! But Cobb stands! Tanahashi HIGH FLY ATTACKS, but Cobb catches him! Cobb pops Tanahashi up, shifts around, and ATHLETIC- SLINGBLADE?!? Cover, TWO!! Tanahashi rises, the fans fire up, and Tanahashi runs to SLING- NO, Cobb gets around to GERMAN SUPLEX! But Tanahashi rises again! SLING- NO, Cobb scoops Tanahashi, but then pops him around again! TOUR OF THE ISLANDS!! Cobb roars, but he’s not done!! Cobb ripcords Tanahashi for the RIPCORD- CRADLE COUNTER!! TANAHASHI WINS!!
Winner: Hiroshi Tanahashi, by pinfall
Cobb got cocky and it to cost him! Tanahashi still tells Cobb he’s proud of him and of Cobb’s time here in NJPW. The two shake hands and hug it out while the fans cheer. Tanahashi’s Final Road rolls on, and The United Empire is here to say farewell to their friend. Cobb is handed a mic, and Chris Charleton is there to interpret. Cobb says he was not expecting to lose tonight. But first and foremost, he wants to thank the people that don’t even get seen by the fans. The NJPW staff, the music team, the NJPW World techs, the boys ‘n’ girls in the back, and all the wrestlers Cobb calls “family.” The fans applaud and Cobb says Chris’s Japanese is good.
Cobb takes a moment before he says he had a speech ready, but he’s kinda blanking out from the pressure. Online, there has been an outpouring of love, #ThankYouCobb. But really, he should be thanking each and every one of the fans. Cobb gets emotional again while Chris translates for him. Cobb knows it’s a bit of a crappy situation, but he wants Callum Newman to know, he’s got the ball, so run with it. Cobb lets Chris translate now, and then Cobb wraps by thanking the Empire members here, from Khan, to Templario, to “Jakob Change Your Name,” to Akira and to Callum.
And lastly, Cobb says this is not goodbye, but more see you later. Thank you, NJPW. Thank you, fans. Domo arigato gozaimasu! The fans cheer for Cobb one more time, and he bows deeply to them all. When and where will we see Cobb in the ring, any ring, again?
10 Man Elimination Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Yuya Uemura, Shota Umino, Taichi, Taka Michinoku & YOSHI-HASHI!
Well, not only is The Ace on his Final Road, but it would seem Tetsuya Naito and Bushi are on their own way out of NJPW. Then will they and their amigos start their Road to Wrestling Dontaku with a celebration? Or will the Heat Storm, Roughneck, Holy Emperor, Blue Playmaker and Headhunter make this anything but tranquilo?
The teams sort out and there’s a lot of entrance attire to put aside. Once Naito is done putting the pants away, LIJ fist bumps while Just4Guys/Hontai shake hands. Yuya steps up against Naito and the fans fire up already. Naito and Yuya stare down while the fans cheer “NA-I-TO! NA-I-TO!” Naito and Yuya step up, but then Naito tags to Bushi. The fans cheer Bushi on now, he circles with Yuya, but then Bushi tags out to Yota. The fans rally as Yuya and Yota feel things out, giving us a taste of their IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship match. They tie up, are in a deadlock, and Yuya wrenches Yota to a wristlock.
Yota slips around, full nelsons, but Yuya breaks that to hammerlock. Yota reaches back to facelock, then he wrenches again. Yuya rolls, wrenches, and arm-drags Yota down. But Yota headscissors! Yuya kips free, and the fans cheer the standoff. Yota and Yuya reset, tie up, and Yota headlocks. Yuya powers up and out, drops down, then hurdles over to arm-drag again! The fans cheer as Yuya has the armlock. Yota fights up, fights around, but Yuya brings him over and Taka tags in. Taka kicks Yota, CLUBS him, then stomps him. Taka knees low, runs, but Yota dropkicks a leg out! LIJ rushes in and BLASTS Hontai! Then they bring Taka to the ropes!
Hontai rushes in to save Taka! The fans fire up as everyone fights at the ropes, and Taka lands safe on the apron! Taka scurries around the way and back into the ring! The fans cheer, but then Takagi & Yota split the wishbone! Hiromu tags in, he brings Taka up and CHOPS! Hiromu whips corner to corner, runs up and LARIATS! Hiromu snapmares and runs to basement dropkick! The fans fire up and Hiromu brings Naito in. They double whip to TENDEDERO! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up as Hiromu bumps Taka off buckles, then he tags Takagi. Takagi RAMS into Taka again and again, but Taka fires body shots.
Takagi HEADBUTTS Taka down, then suplexes high and hard! Cover, TWO! Takagi sits Taka up, runs to BLAST Shota, and the fans cheer! Takagi drags Taka up to HEADBUTT the arm, then wrench it. Tag to Bushi and he CLUBS the arm. Bushi CLUBS Taka down, stomps him, then has the legs. Bushi stands on Taka’s groin! Red Shoes reprimands, Bushi steps off at 4, then stomps Taka around. Tag to Naito and the fans rally as he brings Taka up. Naito cravats Taka, then Hiromu sits in the ropes. Hiromu claims Hontai is up to something, Red Shoes looks over, and Naito SMACKS Taka off Hiromu’s boots!
Taichi protests, but Naito throws hands on Taka. Taka tries to hit back but there’s not much there. Naito CLUBS Taka, but Taka fires a flurry! Naito just ROCKS Taka! Naito runs, but Taka goes the other way to BOOT Naito down! The fans rally up, hot tag to Taichi! Taichi runs at Naito in the corner and BOOTS him! Yota gets in, kicks Taichi then whips, but Taichi BOOTS Yota! Takagi runs up, Taichi dodges to wrench and HOOK KICK! Hiromu gets up but Taichi BLASTS him! Bushi backs off, but Naito CLUBS Taichi. Naito whips, but Taichi reverses to RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up while Naito crawls.
Taichi paces, waits on Naito to sit up, but Naito ducks the buzzsaw! Naito shoves Taichi, Bushi trips him up! Bushi tags in and stomps Taichi around. Bushi ROCKS Taichi, whips, but Taichi grabs ropes. Bushi runs up again but Taichi BOOTS him down! Taichi tags Hashi and Hashi drags Bushi up. Hashi ROCKS and CLUBS Bushi, whips him, but Bushi reveres. Hashi dodges to ELBOW Bushi, then runs, but into a DROPKICK! LIJ blasts Hontai’s corner again! Hashi rolls out under the bottom rope, Bushi BLASTS him off the apron, then Bushi builds speed. But Hashi gets back in to CLOBBER Bushi!
Hashi drags Bushi up, hooks a leg, but Bushi fights free! Hashi blocks a kick, ducks the enzigiri, but the REWIND HEEL hits! Bushi runs in from the corner, but Hashi stops the Code Breaker! Taka joins in, DOUBLE SUPERKICKS! Cover, TWO!! Bushi survives, but Hashi clamps on the BUTTERFLY LOCK! Bushi endures, fights around, and Naito gets on the apron, only for Taichi to BOOT him down! Taichi intercepts Hiromu, and Bushi TAPS! Hashi ELIMINATES Bushi! Takagi CLOBBERS Hashi, then drops ELBOW after ELBOW! Takagi SENTONS but misses as Hashi moves! Shota storms in and stomps Takagi!
Shota drags Takagi up to UPPERCUT, and Hashi CHOPS! Hashi & Shota double whip, then Hashi runs up, only to be put on the apron! Takagi CLOBBERS Shota, then runs up on Hashi! Hashi RAMS Takagi, they trade forearms, but then Takagi HOTSHOTS Hashi! Hashi holds onto the ropes, then ROCKS Takagi! Takagi staggers, Shota runs up, but Takagi throws him into Hashi! Hashi falls to the floor, Takagi ELIMINATES Hashi! The teams are even again after that friendly fire, and Takagi rolls Shota! TWO, and things speed up! Takagi ELBOWS, JABS, and YUKON LARIATS! The fans fire up while Takagi fires up, “TOKI GA KITA!”
The fans rally as Takagi runs up, but he blocks a boot to then LARIAT! JAB, CHOP, repeat, then Takagi JABS, JABS, JABS, and CHOPS! Takagi brings Shota up, suplexes, but Shota fights it so Takagi hits the TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Cover, TWO! Shota stays in this but Takagi stays focused. The fans join in with “OI! OI! OI!” and Takagi storms up on Shota. Takagi pump handles but Shota fights the lift. Shota switches, Takagi fires elbows, but Shota ducks! Shota wrenches and SWINGING NECKBREAKERS! The fans are torn but Shota drags Takagi up. Shota CHOPS Takagi in the corner, CHOPS, and CHOPS again! Shota whips corner to corner, runs up, and UPPERCUTS!
Shota reels Takagi in, FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Not quite perfect, but Shota clamps on an STF! Takagi endures, fights around, and he drags Shota along towards the ropes! ROPEBREAK, the fans cheer, and Shota lets go. Shota brings Takagi up, but Takagi denies the tornado DDT! Shota fires forearms to ROCK Takagi again and again, but Takagi just headbutts the buckles to fire up! The fans fire up and Shota fires another forearm, only for Takagi to fire back! Shota headbutts the buckles to fire up! The forearms start flying again, but then Takagi fires boxing elbows! Takagi ROCKS Shota, but Shota fires boxing elbows now!
Shota ROCKS Takagi, then runs, but Takagi follows! LARIAT at the ropes! Takagi runs, Shota follows, LARIAT at the ropes! Shota runs, but DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Neither man falls, so DOUBLE LARIATS collide again! Shota roars, but Takagi ELBOWS! JABS! YUKON- SHOTA LARIATS! But Takagi’s up to PUMPING BOMBER! Shota is in a daze but he manages to stand, and he swats a lariat to ENZIGIRI! Takagi rebounds to SLIDING LARIAT! Shota staggers back up, but Takagi whips him. Shota reverses and reels Takagi in, TORNADO DDT! But Takagi’s right up, and he PUMPING BOMBERS Shota and himself up and out! DOULBE ELIMINATION!!
The fans go nuts as we go to 3v3 now. Yuya and Yota step back in and the fans rally. Yota grins, runs up, but Yuya dodges to CHOP, CHOP, CHOP! Yuya whips, Yota reverses, but Yuya goes up and over. Yuya arm-drags, then DROPKICKS! Yuya roars and the fans fire up again! Yuya reels Yota in but Yota fights the saido. Yuya still hits a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Yuya drags Yota back up, clinches, but Yota fires elbow after elbow to get free. Then he SUPER- NO, Yuya blocks! Yuya swings, but into the BACKBREAKER! FLATLINER! But he avoids the stomp! Yuya CHOPS then runs, but Yota SUPERKICKS himdown!
LIJ BLASTS Hontai’s corner again, and Yota looms over Yuya. Yota drags Yuya up, bumps him off buckles, then hoists him up top. Yota CHOPS, then he fires up before climbing up. The fans rally up, and Yuya fires forearms! Yota falls back, stands up, and he avoids Yuya’s leap! Yuya comes back, into the GENE TRIGGER! Yota TOSSES Yuya, but Yuya lands on the apron! Hiromu lets Yota know that, so Yota goes up the corner! Yota aims for an APRON MARLOWE- NO, Yuya dodges! Yuya CHOPS, CHOPS and CHOPS! Yota ROCKS Yuya, but Yuya fires up! Yuya DOUBLE CHOPS! And DOUBLE CHOPS! And DOUBLE CHOPS!
Yota SLAPS Yuya! And then swings, but into the cording hold! Yuya grabs the other arm but Yota resists! Yota HEADBUTTS again and again, then DOUBLE HEADBUTTS hit! Both men fall, another DOUBLE ELIMINATION!! Now it’s just TakaTaichi VS Naito & Hiromu! The fans rally up as the four stare down. Hiromu runs up, but into TENDEDERO! Naito dodges but then Taichi BOOTS him down! TakaTaichi double whip to DOUBLE BOOT! Taka has Hiromu but Hiromu fires forearms! Taka pokes Hiromu in the eyes! Taka whips Hiromu to a corner, but Hiromu blocks the shining wizard!
Hiromu runs, RANA, but Taka SHOVES it down! JUST FACELOCK!! Taka CLUBS away on Hiromu, but Naito stomps Taka down! Taichi runs up but Naito kicks him and throws him out! Naito kicks Taka, he and Hiromu double whip, but Taka redirects! And redirects! But then Naito & Hiromu undo Tendedero to let Taka pass! Taka comes back, ducks Tendedero, and he waistlocks Naito. Naito switches, shoves Taka at Hiromu and Hiromu wrenches. Pump handle, HIROMU-CHAN ROLL! Cover, Hiromu ELIMINATES Taka! And that leaves it 2v1, Hiromu & Naito against Taichi! Taichi paces as he considers his options.
Taichi rushes in, but into TENDEDERO! Naito & Hiromu double whip Taichi to a corner, and Hiromu runs to LARIAT! Naito ROCKS Taichi, ENZIGIRIS, and Hiromu SUPERKICKS! Hiromu gives Naito the boost for the TOR- Well, no, the tornado fails but the DDT still hits! Hiromu brings Taichi up, suplexes, but Taichi fights it! Taichi suplexes, but Hiromu fights it! They end up by the ropes! Hiromu is on the apron, Naito runs up, but Taichi dodges and Naito BLASTS Hiromu! Hiromu falls and is ELIMINATED! Friendly fire in return for before, and the fans fire up as it is Taichi and Naito 1v1!
Taichi and Naito reset, and the fans cheer for “NA-I-TO!” as hard as they can. Naito fires a forearm, but Taichi fires back! Naito fires another, so Taichi fires back! Naito and Taichi both smirk as the shots keep going back and forth! Taichi then KCIKS, but Naito still throws forearms! KICK, forearm, repeat, but then Naito ROCKS Taichi again and again! Naito SLAPS Taichi! Taichi SOBATS! Naito fires the heavy elbow, but Taichi URAKENS! Naito runs, Taichi BOOTS him down, then Taichi drags Naito back up, just so he can AX- NO, Naito lifts Taichi, but Taichi fights off the atomic drop! Taichi shoves Naito to then AX BOMBER! Cover, TWO!
Naito survives but Taichi runs, and SLIDING AX BOMBERS! Taichi fires up, the fans are torn, but Taichi suplexes! Naito fights free to kick low! Naito uses the ropes to TORNADO DDT! The fans fire up and Naito drags Taichi up. Naito fires those heavy elbows again and again! Naito has Taichi down in the corner, then climbs up. Naito reels Taichi in, but Taichi sneaks the pants off! GAMANGIRI! Naito falls off the corner, but he holds onto the ropes! Naito dangles off the apron but his feet do not touch the floor! Taichi fires shots, Naito ROCKS him in return! Taichi runs up, Naito slides under! Naito DUMPS Taichi over!
Taichi is on the apron but Naito fires a flurry! HOTSHOT! Taichi wobbles, but he ROCKS Naito! Naito ROCKS Taichi, HOTSHOTS again, then ROLLING KICKS! Taichi falls, LIJ WINS!
Winners: Los Ingobernables de Japon, by ring out
It came down to the leaders as the last men, but the Uncontrollable Charisma found a way to win for the team! LIJ regroups and Naito is given the mic. “Buenas tardes, Korakuen Hall!” The fans cheer, and Naito says, “First and foremost… Bushi, why don’t you say something to the fans?” The fans applaud and Bushi takes a quick drink of water before he takes up the mic. “Now that I have this time, I’ll say this. As previously announced by NJPW, my departure was a decision made after a lot of thought. I have no regrets.” The fans applaud that, and Bushi continues, “My feelings haven’t changed since I spoke here 10 years ago. It’s been a deeply fulfilling experience.”
The fans applaud that, too, and Bushi says, “This Dontaku tour is only getting started. When I step into this ring, I’ll show my gratitude in my own way. Thank you.” The fans applaud again, and Bushi hands the mic back to Naito. Naito also notes that the Road to Wrestling Dontaku has just begun. He and Bushi will be leaving NJPW after May 4th. “Whether Bushi and I will compete in this ring again or not, you already know, don’t you? Yes, the answer is of course, TRANQUILO! Assen na yo!” The fans applaud Naito being Naito even now. Naito then asks if they want to do the roll call, and the fans cheer!
Naito notes they haven’t had one at all this year, so this will be the first roll call of 2025. Are you ready? The fans cheer, so Naito says that the only way to close out tonight in Korakuen Hall is naturally with… “Bushi! Hiromu! Takagi! Titan! Yota! Y Naito! NOSOTROS! LOS! INGOBERRRRRRNABLEEEEES~! DE! JA! PON!!” The fans cheer the first LIJ roll call of 2025, but will we get more of them before May 4th? Will we get one on May 4th?
My Thoughts:
A great night to kick off the Road to Wrestling Dontaku, though of course it had to be on one of the busiest weekends of the year. Great goodbye match for Cobb with Tanahashi. It was a big awkward because while Tanahashi is still going to retire this year, Cobb was leaving, and so Cobb leaving NJPW trumps Tanahashi retiring, meaning Cobb had to lose. It’s the unwritten tradition of pro-wrestling. Very good farewell promo from Cobb, too, and I can’t wait to see where he goes next. Word is, it isn’t AEW, and perhaps the WWE rumors have still been true all along, they just leaked out way too soon.
And then very good 10 Man Elimination Tag in the main event, and it works out that LIJ won. Naito & Bushi needed a chance to address the fans about their own departure from NJPW, and so giving them the win so they can do a main event promo was fitting. In my estimation, I don’t see Naito going to any other company, even if it’s another Japanese based company. He’s done plenty in his career, he’s pushed his body pretty hard, so he needs to enjoy retirement, or at least make a lateral movement to be working with Young Lions in the NJPW Dojo as a teacher. Bushi, could probably keep going a little longer, or he could also call it a day on the other hand, only Bushi really knows how his body feels.
My Score: 8.8/10
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Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE WrestleMania 41 Results & Report! (4/20/25)
This is more than just a gamble!

Will this be a historic finale to WrestleMania?
John Cena has said he is retiring after 2025, but he wants to take the Undisputed WWE Championship with him! Will his 17th be everyone’s last reign? Or can Cody Rhodes save the future?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- WWE Women’s World Championship Triple Threat: Iyo Sky VS Bianca Belair VS Rhea Ripley; Iyo wins and retains the title.
- Sin City Street Fight: Damian Priest VS Drew McIntyre; McIntyre wins.
- WWE Intercontinental Championship Fatal 4 Way: Bron Breakker VS Penta VS Finn Balor VS Dominik Mysterio; Dom wins and becomes the new WWE Intercontinental Champion.
- Open Challenge: Randy Orton VS Joe Hendry; Orton wins.
- AJ Styles VS Logan Paul; Logan wins.
- WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez VS Lyra Valkyria & Becky Lynch; Lyra & Becky win and become the new WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions.
- Undisputed WWE Championship: Cody Rhodes VS John Cena; Cena wins and becomes the new Undisputed WWE Champion.
PLAY BY PLAY
It’s the WrestleMania Night 2 Countdown Show!
Once again, join Michael Cole, Pat McAfee, Wade Barrett, Big E and more in discussing, analyzing and predicting all the action set for the big finale!
Ava Max sings the United States of America National Anthem.
Stephanie McMahon is in the ring!
The Billion Dollar Queen of WWE is here and says, “The last time WrestleMania was in Las Vegas was WrestleMania 9 at Caesar’s Palace, and I was 16 years old. Here we are today, at Allegiant Stadium for WrestleMania 41, and my middle daughter is 16 years old. WWE has always been a part of my life, which includes all of you. You are a part of my family because WWE IS family. And I am so incredibly proud to say, welcome home. And welcome to NIGHT TWO of WrestleMania!” The pyro goes off and the fans cheer! Will Mania hit the jackpot all over again with this finale?
WWE Women’s World Championship Triple Threat: Iyo Sky VS Bianca Belair VS Rhea Ripley!
The Evil Genius won this title off of The Eradicator, but perhaps only because The EST, who had won the Elimination Chamber match, ended up a bit of a distraction. After weeks of these three all getting after each other verbally and physically, it finally comes down to the three of them having it out once and for all. Who opens Night 2 with a victory that defies the odds?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who wins the title, and the respect that comes with it!
The bell rings and the fans rally up as the three stare down. Bianca and Rhea talk trash on each other again, and Iyo steps up, not wanting to be ignored again. Iyo stops the double pie faces! And she SHOTEIS Rhea! Bianca shove Iyo at Rhea, Rhea ROCKS Iyo! Bianca ROCKS Rhea! Iyo RAN- NO, Bianca brings Iyo up, throws her at Rhea, but Iyo RANAS Rhea! Iyo ducks ‘n’ dodges Bianca, Bianca avoids the handspring, but the SHOTGUN hits! But then Rhea DROPKICKS Iyo! Iyo bails out, Bianca is in a corner, and Rhea stares down her rival. They tie up, Rhea waistlocks, and Rhea SLAMS Bianca down.
Bianca fights up, switches, and SLAMS Rhea! Rhea fights up, fights the lift, and elbows free! Bianca runs up to DROPKICK Rhea to a corner! Bianca kips up, the fans are torn, but Bianca says kiss this. Bianca RAMS into Rhea, then climbs up to rain down fists! The fans count along, but Iyo returns! Bianca backflips, Iyo runs into Rhea! Bianca RAMS them both! Bianca climbs up and starts again! The fans count and Bianca goes all the way to TEN, then keeps going! But Iyo gets free and grabs the braid! Bianca uses that to whip Iyo to the corner. Rhea shoves Bianca, Iyo dodges! Bianca BOOTS Rhea, Iyo goes up, DOUBLE BLOCKBUSTER!
Iyo double high stacks, TWO! DOUBLE SHOTGUN! The fans fire up and Iyo runs at Bianca, only to be put on the apron. Bianca SMACKS Iyo off the buckles! But Rhea BOOTS Bianca out! Rhea goes to the apron, runs and CANNONBALLS Bianca down! The fans fire up but then Iyo goes up! ASAI MOONSAULT and down goes Rhea! The fans fire up with Iyo and she puts Rhea in. Iyo wheelbarrows, victory rolls, STOMP 182! Cover, TWO! Rhea stays in this but Iyo runs, only to dodge Bianca! Bianca LARIATS Rhea up and out, talks more trash, but Iyo sunset flips Bianca! TWO! Bianca gets up to CLOBBER Iyo!
The fans are torn and Bianca is annoyed. Bianca runs, but she handsprings over Iyo’s drop down. Bianca again says kiss this, then she wrenches Iyo to snap suplex! Roll through, snap suplex! Roll through again, and stalling suplex! Bianca hits her own Three Amigas and then swaggers. Bianca runs, handsprings, but Rhea trips her up! Rhea drags Bianca out to CLUB away! Iyo goes to the apron, and she leaps, FLYING RAN- NO! Bianca stops Iyo, and SWINGS her into the barriers! Then swings her at Rhea! Rhea catches Iyo, the two decide to THROW Iyo into the barriers! Rhea then kicks Bianca, puts her in the ring, and gets around to kick low.
Rhea reels Bianca in, suplexes, but Bianca slips free. Bianca waistlocks, Rhea ELBOWS free, but Iyo leaps in! Rhea dodges, comes back and kicks low. Rhea gets Iyo up, Canadian Rack, RAZOR’S EDGE onto Bianca! A shoutout to both Priest and Hall, then a cover on Iyo, TWO! Rhea is annoyed but she hauls Iyo up. Iyo fights the lift, victory rolls, but Rhea trips her up! Rhea has the legs, ties them up, and has Iyo in the PRISM TRAP! But Bianca grabs Rhea! Torture rack and KISS OF- NO, Rhea lands out to arm-drag! They both run Bianca dodges the boot, but then they both return! DOUBLE FACEBUSTERS take both women down!
The fans are thunderous as all three women are on the mat, and they all go to corners. “This is Awesome!” as Iyo rises first. SHINKANSEN for Rhea! SHINKANSEN for Bianca! Another for Rhea! Iyo drags Rhea to the drop zone, then goes up, up, and OVER THE- NO, Rhea goes up to stop Iyo! Bianca runs up to CLUB Rhea! Bianca has Rhea, Rhea has Iyo, DOUBLE SUPER BACK SUPLEX!! The fans are thunderous again as all three women are down! Bianca finds Rhea and drags her up. Rhea breaks free to ROCK Bianca, but Bianca ROCKS her back! Bianca slips around, shoves, but Rhea ducks ‘n’ dodges. Bianca hurdles, but then Rhea BOOTS her!
Iyo springboards to MISSILE DROPKCIK Rhea! Kip up and a handspring, the fans are going nuts for the Evil Genius! But Bianca POUNCES Iyo!! The fans boo but all three women are down again. Bianca crawls to the apron, climbs a corner, and goes up to 450 SPLASH on Iyo! Cover, but Rhea BOOTS Bianca away! Rhea pump handles, RIPTIDE!! Cover, TWO!?!? Bianca survives, proving she’s the toughEST, and that absolutely shocks Rhea! Rhea pleads with the ref, but no, the count was two. Rhea storms over to Iyo, drags her up and pump handles her now! RIP- DDT!! Iyo turns things around just in time! And then SHIN- EDDY GORDO KICK!
Iyo flops against the ropes, Rhea goes up the corner, and Rhea drags Iyo up the corner! Rhea pump handles again, for a SUPER RIP- ARM-DRAG!! Iyo roars and goes up! The fans fire up for the OVER THE MOONSAULT into BOOTS! And then the torture rack! KISS OF DEATH!!! Cover, RHEA BREAKS IT!! The fans are electric while all three women are down again! Bianca is freaking out, and she storms up on Rhea. Rhea sits up, Bianca SLAPS her, and then talks trash! Bianca shouts she works harder and deserves this more than Rhea! But Rhea SLAPS Bianca! Bianca DECKS Rhea! Bianca storms up, but Rhea BOOTS her!
Rhea gives the trash talk back, then DUMPS Bianca out! Rhea ROCKS Bianca, SMACKS her off the apron, then goes up the corner. The fans fire up and Rhea drags Bianca up the corner! Bianca fights back with body shots, but Rhea CLUBS Bianca! They brawl with big shots, then Rhea HEADBUTTS Bianca! Bianca falls to the floor, but Iyo SHORYUKENS! Iyo goes up to get Rhea, SUPER POISON- NO!! Rhea blocks with just one hand on the ropes! Rhea SWINGS Iyo into the post!! But Bianca torture racks Rhea!! KISS OF- RHEA LANDS OUT! The brawl is on again with big haymakers! And a HEADBUTT! And a RIP- NO, Bianca slips free!
Bianca WHIPLASHES with the braid!!! Then KISS OF DEATH!!! Cover, OVER THE MOONSAULT!!! Iyo covers Bianca, IYO WINS!!!
Winner: Iyo Sky, by pinfall (still WWE Women’s World Champion)
The Evil Genius snatched victory from the jaws of defeat, and maybe now the others will respect her! Who will be next to put Iyo to the test as a champion?
Sin City Street Fight: Damian Priest VS Drew McIntyre!
The Archer of Infamy has had enough of the Scottish Terminator blaming him for all his shortcomings since last WrestleMania. Now, they throw the rulebook out the window and fight like there’s no tomorrow. Will Priest send McIntyre South of Heaven? Or will McIntyre be guilty as sin in Sin City?
Fittingly, Drew McIntyre comes out as “Doomslayer,” from Doom: The Dark Ages. But just as fittingly, Priest has THE Kerry King of Slayer here to play his theme song live. Priest puts his new jacket aside, and Drew attacks! The bell rings, the fans fire up, and Drew fires off on Priest at the ropes. Priest shoves Drew, then dodges to LARIAT Drew up and out! Drew stagger sup, Priest FLYING ELBOWS off the apron! Priest then ROCKS Drew with a right! Drew staggers away, Priest SMACKS him off barriers, and Drew staggers away again. Priest SUPERKICKS Drew, then RAMS him into barriers! But Drew ROCKS Priest!
Drew reels Priest in and suplexes him to the LED ramp! The fans rally up while Drew leaves Priest behind. Drew pulls the steel steps apart, brings the base steps into the ring, then goes back for the other piece. But Priest CHUCKS it into Drew’s head! The fans fire up as Drew falls! Priest drags Drew up, and whips him hard into barriers! Drew falls behind the Hydration Station, but Priest brings out a TABLE! Vegas cheers as Priest puts that table in the ring. Drew returns to ROCK Priest! Drew SMACKS Priest off steel steps! And then off the English desk! Drew then POSTS Priest, goes back for more steel steps, and pulls those apart.
Drew has the smaller piece and he RAMS Priest! And RAMS him again! And then SLAMS it down on Priest’s back! Drew drops the steps, the fans fire up, and the ref checks on Priest. Priest sits up but Drew brings the steps back over, to SMASH Priest again! Drew borrows a fan’s phone? That’s his brother! Drew uses the phone to take a selfie and post it! Just like last year! Drew runs up to KICK Priest down, then pushes Priest in the ring. Drew goes looking under the ring, and he brings out a chair! Drew JAMS Priest in the ear! Drew then brings out TWO TABLES! Drew sets one up at ringside, then sets the other one up next to it.
Drew smiles as he pats the tables. Drew goes to the apron, but Priest ROCKS him! Drew wobbles, Priest ROCKS him again! Priest winds up, but Drew GLASGOW KISS HEADBUTTS first! Drew runs and he LARIATS Priest up and out the other side! Drew thinks about it now, and he builds speed! Drew FLIES and down goes Priest! The fans fire up and Drew stands tall. Drew drags Priest back up, puts him back in the ring, then storms in. Drew soaks up the cheers and the jeers, then he goes to a corner. Priest flounders, Drew has the countdown! “THREE! TWO!” CHAIR TO THE FACE!! But Drew rebounds and CLAYMORES anyway!! Cover, TWO?!?
Priest survives, but it’s just as surprising that Drew didn’t fall from that chairshot. Drew grabs that very chair Priest threw, and he takes aim. Drew SMACKS Priest on the back! And SMACKS him again! Drew then puts the chair around Priest’s head! The ref says don’t do this, but that’s all the ref can do as Drew takes aim! Drew runs up, but Priest grabs Drew first! CHOKE SLAM! Cover, TWO!! Drew survives because Priest couldn’t do the sit-out! Priest crawls back and stands back up. Priest grabs another chair, takes aim, and he SMACKS Drew on the back! Drew writhes, but Priest sits him up, just to SMACK him down again!
Drew writhes and Priest paces. The fans rally, Priest takes aim again, and he SMACKS Drew down! Drew writhes while Priest goes to a corner. Priest rips away the padding on the crossbars, and then wedges the chair in. But Drew hits a SPINEBUSTER! Drew grabs that table Priest brought out, and now Drew stands it up. Drew drags Priest up, puts him on the top rope, and then CHOPS! Drew climbs up, fireman’s carries, and then tucks, but Priest slips free! Priest CLUBS Drew, and now he looks to the table! Crucifix lift, RAZOR’S EDGE through the table!! Cover, TWO!?! Drew survives and Priest is shocked!
Priest drags himself up, goes to the base steps, and he brings those around. Priest brings down the straps and the fans fire up. Priest waits on Drew as Drew hobbles around. Priest clamps on with the grip, but Drew CLAWS Priest’s eyes! Drew goes up the steps, reels Priest in, FULL METAL FUTURE SHOCK!!! Cover, TWO!??! Priest survives and the fans fire up again! “This is Awesome!” as both men writhe and crawl. Drew seethes, and he watches Priest rise up. Priest glares at Drew, but Drew SLAPS Priest! Priest SLAPS back, and now the haymakers start flying! It is fast ‘n’ furious and the fans are loving it!
Drew CHOPS! CHOPS! And CHOPS! Priest CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! Drew HEADBUTTS, Priest LARIATS! Drew is down and the fans fire up! Priest drags Drew up by his hair, but Drew pushes Priest away. Priest comes back, knuckle locks, and he goes up the corner. The fans fire up as Priest goes Old School, but Drew SHOVES HIM OFF! PRIEST FALLS THROUGH THE TABLES ON THE OUTSIDE!!! The fans are losing their minds over that crash landing, and Drew manages to smile. Drew hobbles his way over while Priest flounders in the wreckage. Drew drags Priest up and into the ring, and pushes him against the chair Priest put in the corner!
Drew hobbles corner to corner, runs back in, FULL METAL CLAYMORE!!!! Cover, DREW WINS!!!
Winner: Drew McIntyre, by pinfall
Doom McIntyre just slayed the Archer of Infamy! Drew tells the ref to stop caring about Priest, and he makes the ref raise his hand in victory! Will Drew finally get over this grudge and go back for gold?
WWE Intercontinental Championship Fatal 4 Way: Bron Breakker VS Penta VS Finn Balor VS Dominik Mysterio!
The Badass Booty Nephew has been a dominate champion, and he’s had the dogs barking all over the world. But with this title comes a target, and now he’s in the biggest title defense he’s had yet! Will Bron make the most of the Steiner Math he worked out the other day? Will that 129.2% be trumped by #CeroMiedo? Or will this title soon belong to the Judgment Day?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if the numbers spell disaster at WrestleMania!
The bell rings and the fans fire up as Bron runs up! Dom dodges, but then Penta storms up. Bron DECKS Penta, stomps him, but Finn & Dom go after Bron! The fans boo as the Judgment Day boys mug Bron, then TOSS him out. Finn & Dom soak up the heat, but Penta GAMANGIRIS Finn! Penta goes up to CROSSBODY Dom! Penta then baits Finn in and RANAS him out! Dom runs up but Penta TOSSES him! Penta then builds speed and FLIES! Down goes both Finn & Dom and the fans fire up! But Bron LEAPS in from outta nowhere! Down goes Penta! The fans bark for Bron as he stands tall. Bron puts Penta in the ring, then builds speed, but Penta SUPERKICKS!
Penta shouts, “CERO! MIEDO!” Penta runs, springboards, but into a POWERSLAM! Bron catches Finn, military presses him, and BREAKKER SLAMS him! Dom is back, but Bron SPEARS Dom! Cover, Finn breaks it! Finn does it more for his own chances, but now he regrets it as Bron storms up. Bron RAMS Finn into the corner again and again. Penta runs up, Bron ELBOWS him back, and then Bron RAMS Penta into the corner again and again. Finn runs up to SLINGBLADE! Penta SLING-DOGS Finn! Penta GAMANGIRIS Dom, sits him down, and then Penta drop toeholds Finn into Dom! Penta goes up, headstand and DROPKICK!
The fans fire up as Penta covers Finn, TWO! Penta traps one arm, grabs the other, and he makes Finn SACRIFICE! Penta pump handles Finn, lifts, but Bron waistlocks Penta! GERMAN SUPLEX HALF NELSON SUPLEX COMBO!! Bron kips up and Vegas barks even louder! Bron aims from a corner, runs in, but Penta dodges! Bron POSTS himself! Dom rushes in to THROW Penta down by his mask! Slingshot SENTON! Dom stomps a mudhole into Bron! Dom runs side to side and DROPKICKS Bron out! The fans are torn for Dom as he hits a suplex! Uno Amigo! Dom drags Penta up, DOS AMIGO! Then some Latino Heat, but Penta blocks!
Finn CLUBS Penta, he and Dom work together to DOUBLE SUPLEX! Carlito cheers his guys on as Finn & Dom mug Bron. They reel Bron in, but Bron fights the double suplex to DOUBLE SUPLEX them! Bron kips up, brings down the straps, and he catches Finn to OVERHEAD SUPLEX! Then an OVERHEAD for Dom! Bron LARIATS Finn in the corner, then he hoists Finn up top. Bron LARIATS Dom back down, then he goes up after Finn, SUPER STEINER! Cover, TWO!! Finn survives and the fans fire up! Bron seethes as he rises up, and “This is Awesome!” as Bron goes back to a corner. Bron takes aim again, but Finn KICKS him first!
Penta SUPERKICKS Bron! Dom DROPKICKS Penta! Finn LARIATS Bron out of the ring! And now Dom aims at Finn! The fans wanna see it, and Dom DROPKICKS Finn onto ropes! Dom dials it up, but Finn blocks the 619! Dom apologizes, but Finn KICKS the leg out, and stomps a mudhole into Dom! Penta hooks Finn up, PENTA DRIVER!! Cover, BRON BREAKS IT! The fans fire up as now Bron and Penta stare down. They rise up and fire shots back and forth! The fans rally, and Penta CHOPS! Bron JUMP KNEES! Penta SUPERKICKS! Penta roars, runs, but has to dodge Bron! Carlito DUMPS Bron out!
The fans boo but Dom rolls Penta up, TWO!! Penta escapes, SUPERKICKS, then mule kicks! Penta runs, and hits a DESTROYER!! Cover, CARILTO DRAGS PENTA OUT! The fans boo but Carlito SMACKS Penta off the desk! Carlito clears the desk, tells Pat and Maggle and Wade to back off, then he drags Penta up. but Bron is on the other desk!? Bron jumps off the Spanish desk to SPEAR Carlito through the English desk!! The fans go nuts as Bron and Carlito are down in the wreckage! Penta leaves that mess behind and Bron manages to get in the ring. Bron powers up again, and he runs at Penta, SPEAR!!! But Dom slides in!
Dom DROPKICKS Bron onto ropes! Dom redials, 619 connects!! Dom goes up the corner, but Finn trips Dom up! The Prince aims at Bron while the fans boo, and Finn SLINGBLADES! Then he takes aim, SHOTGUN! Bron is down in the drop zone! Finn climbs and takes aim, COUP DE GRACE!!! Cover, but Dom FROG SPLASHES onto it all!! Cover on Finn, DOM WINS!!
Winner: Dominik Mysterio, by pinfall (NEW WWE Intercontinental Champion)
Lie, cheat and steal, Dom learned a lot from Uncle Eddie! And now just like Uncle Eddie, he checks off the Intercontinental Championship! But what does this mean for Judgment Day?
Open Challenge: Randy Orton VS ???
The Viper wanted to settle scores with The Prizefighter, but Kevin Owens needed major neck surgery, and now we don’t even know if Kevin will ever return to the ring. In the meantime, Orton still wants a match for his 20th, so he put it out there that anyone can step to him. Orton grabs a mic and he tells the fans, “Tonight marks my 20th WrestleMania! Ladies and gents, I said that I would be here at WrestleMania 41 ready to go. The only question now is, who is gonna come through that curtain? I’ll tell you one thing, whoever it is, they’re gonna get their WrestleMania Moment, and it’s gonna be courtesy of the three most dangerous letters in all of sports entertainment: R K O!”
Orton throws down the mic, paces inside the ring, and who answers the call? “Say his name and he appears… I believe in Joe Hendry!” That’s right! The TNA World Heavyweight Champion is making his WrestleMania debut, and everyone sings along with his song like they did with Voices! Orton isn’t quite sure what to make of this, but the fans are loving it! The bell rings, the fans chant “WE BELIEVE! WE BELIEVE!” as Orton and Hendry step up. Then R K- NO, Hendry rolls Orton up! TWO, and then Hendry… TURNS! Hendry smiles and Orton is again unsure what to do with that. The two reset and circle again.
Orton kicks Hendry low, then runs, but Hendry blows past him to CLOBBER Orton! The fans fire up and Hendry brings Orton up. But Orton kicks low! Orton takes a swing, Hendry dodges and hits a NECKBREAKER! Then Hendry gets the fans to join in on We Will Rock You! Hendry grabs Orton by the neck, but Orton sees he’s taller. Orton pokes Hendry in the eye! And then LARIAT! LARIAT! Dodge and SNAP POWERSLAM! The fans fire up and Orton brings Hendry up again. Orton puts Hendry in the ropes, drags him out, and DRAPING DDT! The fans fire up and Orton smirks, because Orton hears those voices in his head!
Orton watches Hendry rise up, but Hendry powers out of the RKO! Hendry scoops Orton to FALL AWAY SLAM! Hendry kips up, the fans fire up, and Hendry… TURNS! The fans cheer that big smile, RKO OUTTA NOWHERE!! Cover, Orton wins!
Winner: Randy Orton, by pinfall
The Viper strikes, the Viper wins, and that’s a great way to cap off 20 years! But Orton does show Hendry respect by helping him stand back up. The fans cheer, Orton tells Hendry that all these people believe in him, and Hendry thanks Orton. Orton raises Hendry’s hand in respect, the fans cheer more, and then Orton RKOS!! Thanks for coming, Hendry! And then Orton… TURNS! Orton does his pose and the fans cheer. Will Orton only hit a new level of excellence on the other side of 20 years?
AJ Styles VS Logan Paul!
The Phenomenal One is just the newest of a long list of people that don’t like The Maverick. It isn’t Logan’s ability in the ring, it’s the fact Logan Paul is brash, obnoxious, and just downright arrogant, and that’s being nice. But will Styles use his own talent and ability to finally humble Logan? Or will Logan go from annoying to insufferable in the blink of an eye?
Logan of course vlogs his entrance with a selfie video, soaking up all the heat as he goes. Then things go multiscreen just so we can see Logan from all angles. One Logan Paul is bad enough, but imagine nine of him… Finally, Styles makes his entrance, and he knows he only needs to be the one and only. The bell rings and the two circle. The fans rally for Styles, he and Logan tie up, and they’re in a deadlock. Styles powers Logan back, put shim in a corner, but the ref counts. Logan turns things around, the ref counts more, and Logan lets off to talk trash. Logan shoves Styles, eggs Styles on, but Styles just laughs that off.
The fans rally as Styles and Logan circle. They tie up, Styles slips around and headlocks. Logan fires body shots, then powers his way to a headlock. Styles endures, lifts, and puts Logan on ropes. Styles powers out, hurdles, then drops down. Logan stops himself, Styles runs up, but Logan puts him on the apron. Styles RAMS Logan, slides in and whips, but Logan reverses, only for Styles to run him over! Styles talks smack, runs, but now Logan hurdles. Styles DROPKICKS Logan down! Styles covers, ONE, but Styles goes to the outside. Styles drags Logan out, slaps him around, but Logan kicks Styles away.
Styles bumps into the desk, Logan PLANCHAS, but Styles catches him in the apron skirt! Styles goes all Fit Finlay on Logan Paul! Styles then CHOPS Logan, the fans “WOO~!” and Styles throws up the Too Sweet. The fans cheer, and Styles goes back to SLIDING KNEE Logan from the apron! Logan falls down, Styles steps inside, and the ring count climbs. The fans cheer Styles while he waits on Logan. Logan crawls around on the floor, Styles goes out the side, but Logan RAMS Styles into barriers! Logan brings Styles around to UPPERCUT! Logan whips Styles, Styles reverses and Logan hits barriers hard! The fans fire up while Styles stands tall.
Styles stalks Logan, drags him up, and SMACKS him off the apron. The fans rally behind Styles while he pushes Logan into the ring. Styles goes to the apron, but Logan avoids the shoulder to KICK Styles, POST him, and then whip him into the other POST! Styles falls to the floor and Logan slaps some sense into himself. Logan wants the count to get going but we’re only at 3 of 10. Styles rises at 5, but Logan PLANCHAS! Direct hit this time and Logan fires up! The fans boo even harder, but Logan stalks Styles around the way. Logan SMACKS Styles off the Spanish desk, mockingly says, “AJ Who!?” And he SMACKS Styles off the apron.
Logan refreshes the ring count, then goes to his Hydration Station. Logan grabs his camera and taunts Styles. Logan lets the drone fly, and Logan uses the apron skirt to CHOKE Styles! We have a birds eye view as Logan HOTSHOTS Styles, and then goes up the corner! Logan watches his drone, then hits the #PAULFROMGRACE! Cover, TWO!! Styles survives that splash and the fans cheer. Logan reels Styles in, whips him to a corner, then whips corner to corner hard! Styles falls back, Logan paces, and the fans boo. Logan reels Styles in, hoists him up, OVER BOMB! Cover, ROPEBREAK! Styles survives but Logan just smiles.
Logan brings out the Hogan “I can’t hear you,” and fans boo more. Logan whips Styles, BOOTS him down, and then hits the pose. LOGAN LEG DROP, BROTHER! Cover, ONE!! Styles survives and Logan is annoyed. Logan winds up, he JABS, JABS, and JABS! But Styles RAMS Logan into the corner! Styles fires haymakers and the fans fire up! Styles stops as the ref counts, then runs up. Logan ELBOWS Styles, QUEBRADA! Cover, TWO!! The fans rally, Logan drags Styles up, and Logan fires body shots and UPPERCUTS! Logan UPPERCUTS again and again until Styles falls! The fans boo while Logan flexes. Logan then goes back to the corner and climbs up.
Logan soaks up more heat, then goes back for Styles. Logan drags Styles up, whips him to a corner, but Styles stops short! Styles is getting fired up as Logan doesn’t even realize it! Logan turns around, into a LARIAT! LARIAT! PHENOMENAL BLITZ! Fireman’s carry, USHIGOROSHI! SLIDING FOREARM! Styles runs and LARIATS in the corner! Styles suplexes, BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Logan is tougher than that, and he sits up smirking though a bit dazed. Styles reels Logan back in, but Logan slips free of the Clash! Logan kicks low, back suplex, but Styles lands out! Logan runs up, but Styles BOOTS him!
Styles goes out, springboards in, but Logan catches Styles to a fireman’s carry! Logan roars, ROLLING SENTONS, then LIONSAULTS! Cover, TWO!! Styles survives, even as Logan gets impressive air. The fans rally up, Logan brings Styles to a corner and puts him up top. Logan climbs up, talks trash, but Styles fires elbows! Logan staggers back, but he returns to CLUB Styles! Styles ELBOWS Logan again, rolls off Logan’s back, and lifts him up! Logan grabs ropes, and he kicks while upside-down! Styles KICKS Logan while he’s upside-down! Logan flips to the apron, and he SMACKS Styles off buckles! Styles staggers away and Logan takes aim!
Logan slingshots, BUCKSHOT! Cover, TWO!! Styles survives because Logan isn’t about that #CowboySh*t. Even so, Logan fires hands on Styles in the corner! Logan winds up, runs up, ONE LUCKY- NO, Styles ducks the punch, slips under Logan and torture racks! TOWER HACKER BOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Logan survives, even as Styles busts out a classic. The fans still rally for Styles and he goes to a corner. Styles steps outside, takes aim, and he springboards to 450 SPLASH onto knees!! Logan drags Styles up, reels him in, and he calls for Styles’ move?! STYLES CLASH!!! But Styles rolls through the cover to have Logan up! STYLES CLASH!!!
Both men are down and the fans are thunderous! But wait! Logan’s friend, Jeff, sneaks over the barriers! And he’s got the brass knuckles! The fans boo but WAIT! KARRION KROSS IS HERE! Kross has Jeff’s arm, and he snatches the knuckles away. Styles drags Jeff and THROWS him! Kross nods to Styles, and holds up the knuckle dusters… Kross promises he isn’t gonna do anything, he just wants Styles to use the knuckles to take out Logan. Logan puts them on, to DECK Kross! Styles then goes back to the apron, he ROCKS Logan with a forearm, and then springboards! Logan ducks the forearm, to hit ONE LUCKY RIGHT!!
Logan lifts Styles for the PAUL-VERIZER!!! Cover, LOGAN WINS!!!
Winner: Logan Paul, by pinfall
Styles did things the right way, but he also took his eye off the ball. Logan picks up the fumble and runs it all the way back to the house to win it all. Will WWE soon belong to Logan Paul?
WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez VS Lyra Valkyria & ???
This was meant to be the Judgment Day’s leading ladies against The Morrigan & The Role Model. However, someone, or a couple someones, took Bayley out of action with a backstage attack. Bayley doesn’t know who, Liv & Raquel swear it wasn’t them, but the bottom line is that Lyra needs back-up. Who stepped up to have their WrestleMania Moment? IT’S THE MAN, BECKY LYNCH!! Does that mean it’s time to kick some major lass here in Las Vegas?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see if teaming with one Horsewoman is as good as another!
The teams sort out and the fans fire up as Becky steps to Liv. They circle, but then Liv tags out to Raquel. Big Mami Cool says Becks is gonna regret coming back. Becky ROCKS Raquel, chases after Liv, but Raquel grabs Becky’s hair! Raquel scoops, Becky slips free, and she has a SLEEPER! Raquel fights up with Becky as a backpack. Lyra tags in before Raquel THROWS Becky down! Becky ROCKS Raquel, Lyra SOBATS, KICKS, and then Becky SOBATS! Lyra RAMS Raquel, runs, but handsprings through the hip toss to ENZIGIRI! The fans fire up and Lyra runs, springboard arm-drag! The fans fire up for Lyra, “WOO~! WOO~!”
Lyra builds speed and WRECKS Raquel with a dropkick! Lyra then drags Raquel up, puts her back in the ring, and she climbs a corner. Liv runs up, Lyra BOOTS her, but Becky protesting only distracts the ref so Liv can get back up. Liv SHOVES Lyra down for Raquel to BOOT her down! Cover, TWO! Lyra survives, Becky coaches her up, but Raquel drags Lyra away. Raquel runs up to ELBOW Lyra, tags Liv, and Liv stomps away on Lyra! Tag back to Raquel, and Raquel drags Lyra up to fire ELBOWS! The ref reprimands and counts, but Raquel brings Lyra up. Tag to Liv, Raquel RAMS Lyra back in and Liv stomps Lyra some more.
Liv shrieks at the ref for counting, then snap suplexes Lyra! Una Amiga a la Dom, then Dos Amigas! Liv drags Lyra up for THREE AMIGAS! Liv gives some heat, then DECKS Becky! ENZIGIRI for Lyra! Cover, TWO! Becky storms in but the ref stops her, and that lets Liv & Raquel mug Lyra! Tag to Raquel, she drags Lyra up and suplexes to then SLINGSHOT JACKHAMMER! Cover, TWO! Raquel drags Lyra up, tags Liv, and they mug Lyra more. Liv drags Lyra up to snap suplex again, then tags Raquel. Raquel SLAMS Lyra down, then grabs at legs, but Lyra kicks her away. Lyra crawls, Raquel grabs legs again! But Lyra avoids th eelbow drop!
Lyra crawls, Liv rushes in to drag Lyra back! Lyra ENZIGIRIS free! The fans fire up as Lyra crawls, but Liv YANKS Becky down! The fans boo but now Liv regrets that. Becky chases Liv, they go inside, and Raquel BOOTS Becky! Raquel TOSSES Becky, then goes back for Lyra. Raquel reels Lyra in for a scoop and SWINGING SLAM! Cover, TWO! Tag to Liv and The Judgment Day drags Lyra up. They double whip, but Lyra KICKS Liv! Lyra then BOOTS Raquel from the corner, ELBOWS Liv, and dodges Raquel! Raquel POSTS herself, hot tag to Becky! Liv is scared and the fans are fired up! Becky LARIATS again and again, then dodges to FLYING FOREARM!
The fans fire up but Raquel returns! Becky dodges her to then ENZIGIRI! Raquel goes to a corner, Becky runs to forearm! Becky runs and forearms Liv! Then back to Raquel, but she puts Becky on the apron! Becky DECKS Raquel, goes up, and MOLLY-GO-ROUND! Then she catches Liv, BECKSPLODER! The fans are all fired up and Becky builds speed to WRECK Liv on the outside! Becky then aims to FLYING FOREARM! Becky puts Liv back in the ring, kicks her low, reels her in, BUTTERFLY SUPLEX, into the ARMBAR! Liv rolls to stack, TWO! Becky turns Liv over, DISARM HER!!! Liv flails, kicks, but Raquel is in!
Raquel BOOTS Becky down, then she BOOTS Lyra! Raquel runs up but Becky DUMPS her out! Liv runs up, OBLIVION!! Cover, LYRA BREAKS IT! The fans fire up as Lyra drags Liv up. Lyra whips, Liv grabs ropes and KICKS in return! Liv runs now, but Lyra dodges Oblivion to DIVE onto Raquel! TORNADO DDT to the floor! Liv WRECKS Lyra with a dropkick! Becky clinches, MANHANDLE SLAM!! Cover, the lasses win!!
Winners: Lyra Valkyria & Becky Lynch, by pinfall (NEW WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions)
Talk about a turn of fortunes! Bayley went down, Becky stepped up, and with Becky’s help, Lyra is now a DOUBLE CHAMPION! But now Lyra & Becky are going to visit NXT this Tuesday to defend these belts against Tatum Paxley & Gigi Dolin! Will it be quite the homecoming for The Morrigan & The Man?
Stone Cold Steve Austin is here!
Vegas goes nuts as the glass shatters, and The Texas Rattlesnake rides out on a four-wheeler! He goes down the ramp, goes around the ring a couple times, but then rams into the barrier! Whoops! Maybe Austin had a couple Steveweisers before coming out. Austin grabs a mic to say, “If you’re havin’ a great time at WrestleMania, gimme a ‘Hell Yeah!'” “HELL YEAH!” Austin says, “Some o’ ya heard me, some o’ ya didn’t. If you’re having a great time at WrestleMania, gimme a ‘Hell Yeah!'” “HELL YEAH!!” Austin says he is out here to announce tonight’s attendance. It is officially 63,226! And Austin’s been in a lot of buildings just like this, and it just feels like way more than 63,226!
The fans cheer, and Austin demands a recount! Sometimes when you want a job done right, you gotta do it yourself. Everyone sit down and stay still so he can count. Austin actually starts counting! And every time, we get “WHAT?” Wait, are we gonna get 63,000 what’s?! Austin says nah, enough of that BS. 63,226 tonight, so the weekend total is 124,693 “solid ass cats!” Austin hopes everyone makes it home safely, and hopes everyone comes back for next year’s WrestleMania. “And that’s the bottom line, cuz Stone Cold said so!” The pyro goes off, and now Austin gets to have some Steveweisers! The fans cheer the beer bath, and Austin reloads for even more!
Austin goes back out to apologize to the fans behind the spot in the barriers he hit, then he chooses to walk back up the ramp. When and where will we see Stone Cold again?
Undisputed WWE Championship: Cody Rhodes VS John Cena!
It’s the moment of truth. The Rock wanted The American Nightmare to “sell his soul” so he could be living the easy life as The Final Boss’s Champion. Cody rejected the offer in the most direct way possible, only for the sixteen-time world champion to show his true colors. And now, seven weeks later, after both verbal battles and physical confrontations, these two will finally put it to the test: Will Cody Rhodes do the “right thing?” Or will he do what it takes to win? The Last Time is Now, but will it also be Cena’s SEVENTEENTH time as world champion?
For Cena’s entrance, his tron is boiled down to just black and white, and his name up in lights. His final WrestleMania, and Cena won’t give the fans the satisfaction of a flashy, over the top spectacle of an entrance. As for Cody’s entrance, there’s a lot of smoke, and then there are Motocross dirt bike riders going across the stage! Then, as they stop and stand in line, and as the smoke clears, Cody Rhodes is there, a brand new skull helmet on his head. It opens up like Ironman’s helmet! The fans sing along with Cody’s song, “WHOA~ OH~!” The pyro goes off and Cody continues down the ramp, looking out at the sea of people here in Las Vegas.
Cody stands on the corner for the second “WHOA~ OH~!” and pyro, then he gets a hug and kiss from wife, daughter, and mother. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and time to learn the difference between the first and the last!
The fans are already thunderous with their dueling, “LET’S GO, CENA!” “CENA SUCKS!” The bell rings, the fans fire up more, and the two circle. Cena and Cody take a moment to hear all of that energy from the WWE Universe. The two then tie up, go around, and Cody headlocks. Cena endures as Cody grinds the hold, then he powers up and out. Cody runs Cena over! Cena bails out, the fans are torn, and Cody asks if this is supposed to be #BigMatchJohn. Cena cools off while the fans continue to duel. Cena steps back into the ring, Cody eggs him on, and the two reset. Cena seems just annoyed by the fans at this point.
Cody and Cena tie up. Cody headlocks, then shifts, and hammerlocks. Cena goes to the ropes, the ref counts the break, and Cody lets go. Cena steps outside in a huff, and he wants Cody to back off. Cody backs up, Cena steps back in, and the fans just get fired up again. Cody and Cena tie up. Cody waistlocks, Cena ELBOWS free, then he headlocks. Cena hits a headlock takeover, as if to show he can wrestle. Cody headscissors, and he holds Cena down with the squeeze. Cena powers free, but Cody DROPKICKS him! Cena bails out again and is just frustrated now. Cody builds speed and DIVES! No more escaping the action for Cena!
Cody puts Cena in, storms up, but Cena DECKS Cody! Cena then headlocks, but Cody powers him to a corner. The ref reprimands and counts, but Cena sucker punches Cody! The fans are torn as Cena stomps away on Cody! Cena bumps Cody off buckles, then whips him to ropes. Cena BOOTS Cody down, a rare thing for Cena even when he was in his prime. Cena does a mocking bow, then he DECKS Cody again! Cena stomps Cody, drags him up and reels him in, but the fans seem to be fighting about something of their own. Cody pops free to fire hands! Cena stomps Cody’s foot! Cena then KNEES Cody in the head!
Cena seethes while Cody crawls to a corner. Cena stalks Cody, drags him up, and Cena whips corner to corner. Cody hits buckles hard, then falls to the mat. Cody crawls under the bottom rope, but Cena grabs the legs! ROPE GUILLOTINE! Cena talks trash on Cody while he tumbles to the floor, then Cena goes out after Cody. Cena puts Cody in the ring, stalks him again, and runs up to BOOT Cody down! Cena then takes aim, runs up, and LARIATS! And then he LARIATS again! Cover, ONE!! Cody shows he’s tougher than that, but Cena clamps on a chinlock. Cody endures as Cena squeezes tight.
The fans rally as Cody fights the hold, but Cena leans on him. Cody fights up, stands, and he fires body shots! Cena lets go, and Cody ROCKS him with haymakers! Cody backs Cena down, has him on the ropes then whips, only for Cena to reverse, scoop, and SIDEWALK SLAM! Cover, TWO! Cena goes to a corner, hops up, and waits on Cody to stand. Cena leaps to AX HANDLE! Cena brings out more classic pro-wrestling moves, and he bumps Cody off buckles! Cena hops up again, to AX HANDLE again! Cena climbs up again, Cody stands back up, and Cena AX- NO, Cody kicks low! Cody ROCKS Cena with more rights!
Cena pokes Cody in the eyes! And then Cena CLUBS and HAMMERS away on Cody! Cover, TWO! Cody stays in this, even as Cena resorts to some new lows. But Cena grins as he literally kicks Cody’s butt! Cena hears the fans duel even harder as he stands Cody up. Cena whips, Cody reverses, then Cody runs up, but into a BOOT! Cena goes up, to TORNADO DDT! Cover, TWO! Cody survives as Cena turns it up a notch. Cena taunts the fans, taunts Cody, and then runs to get the SHOULDER TACKLES going! Now Cena brings out his classic move, but then he stops with just one. Cena dares Cody to get up, and then he runs to SHOULDER TACKLE again!
Cena grins as he’s basically toying with Cody now. Cody staggers up, Cena reels Cody in, and hits the SPIN OUT BOMB! The fans know what’s next in the “five moves of doom,” and Cena knows we know. Cena shakes out his hand, holds it up, and says- EYE POKE from Cody! Cena staggers, runs up on Cody anyway, but Cody goes up and over to SNAP POWERSLAM! The fans are torn as Cody powers up! DISASTER KICK! Cody pounds the mat, the fans rally and duel, and Cody runs to springboard and CODY CUTTER! Cover, TWO! Cena survives but Cody stays focused. Cody waits on Cena, to JAB! JAB! JAB!
Cody flips, flops, flies, but Cena drop toeholds! Cody fights off the STF, but Cena fireman’s carries! ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT!! Cover, TWO!?! Cody survives, and Cena is actually amused! Cena decides to get back on track, and he tells the fans that “You Can’t See Me!” FIVE KNUCKLE SHUFFLE! Then fireman’s carry, but Cody sunset flips! TWO! Cody is up, he counter punches Cena! Cody whips, Cena reverses, but Cody goes up and out, then ROCKS Cena! Cody goes up, up, but Cena hits the ropes! That trips Cody up onto his crossroads! Cena climbs, and he fireman’s carries Cody for a SUPER A A!!! Cover, TWO?!?!
Cody survives the Avalanche Attitude Adjustment, aka the Triple A, and Cena is honestly surprised. Cena decides to pull out all the stops and he climbs up the corner. Cody rises, Cena aims, SUPER FAM- POWERBOMB!! High stack, TWO!! Cody’s counter did not finish this, but he and Cena both rise up. Cody looms over Cena, then he runs to go up the corner! SUPER CODY CUTTER!! Cover, TWO!!! Cena survives and now Cody is rather surprised! Cody huffs ‘n’ puffs and rises up. The fans are torn as Cody shouts for Cena to get up. Cena rises, Cody dragon sleepers! But Cena wrenches free, fireman’s carry, A A!!! And then the S T F U!!
Cody endures, crawls, drags Cena with him, reaches out, but Cena drags Cody back! S T F U!! Cody endures again, crawls again, drags Cena along again, and reaches out again, only for Cena to drag him back again! And even further! But Cody turns over and BOOTS Cena, into the ref!! Cena fireman’s carries, Cody slips free to dragon sleeper! CROSS RHODES!!! But no ref to count this cover! Cody would’ve won twice over! Maybe even three times over! Cody realizes what happened, and he goes to check the ref while Cena crawls away. Cena rips a buckle pad away! The fans can’t believe he’s going this far! Cena goes back for Cody, but Cody ROCKS Cena!
Cody ROCKS Cena again and again, backing Cena down, But then Cena sends Cody into the bare steel! And then back in again! Fireman’s carry, ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT!!! Cover, TWO?!?!? Cody survives and no one can believe this! Cena is beside himself, not sure what Cody is made of! WAIT! Is that Travis Scott?! Time to FE!N with the (honorary) Hardcore Champion! Cena grins as The Rock’s other guy makes his way out here! Scott is taking his time but Cena is happy to see him. Cena helps Scott to the apron, raises his hand in victory already, and then says one minute. Cena goes to fetch Cody, and Scott wants to take a shot!
The fans boo, but Cody elbows free! Cody chases Scott off, then he catches Cena! CROSS RHODES!! Cover, but Scott YANKS the ref out!! Cody is furious because the fix is in! Cody says he still owes Scott a receipt, and Scott says bet! Scott storms into the ring, talks some smack, and Cody dares Scott to take a shot. Scott tries, but Cody blocks it! CROSS RHODES for Travis Scott!! Cody pushes Scott out of the ring, but he’s a lot of deadweight. But wait! Cena has Cody’s belt! Cena winds up, BELT- NO, Cody blocks it! Cody says not today! They tug-o-war over the belt, Cody takes the belt away, and now Cena wants mercy!?
Cena wants Cody to remember: Is he going to do what’s right? Or is he going to do what it takes? Cody does hesitate, unsure which is which, and Cena LOW BLOWS him!! The fans are going nuts but Cena picks the belt back up. Cody rises to his feet, only to take the BELT SHOT!! Just like Elimination Chamber! Cena shouts to the ref, drags Cody to a cover, and the ref is in! The count begins, and CENA WINS!!!
Winner: John Cena, by pinfall (NEW Undisputed WWE Champion)
And there is history made! Cena did everything he had to, and even needed help from The Rock, but Cena now stands alone as THE historic 17-time WWE Champion! Scott celebrates with Cena, holding their belts high overhead. The pyro goes off as the number 17 is big and bright on the tron. The GOAT is truly THE GOAT, and Cody is living a nightmare. Will The Final Boss be pleased with what his champions did here tonight? Will Cena hold onto this title until he retires at the end of this year? Or can someone, anyone, prevent further tragedy on this twisted farewell tour?
My Thoughts:
Another great night for WrestleMania 41, especially when it had to follow that first great night. Opening with the Women’s World Championship is a good parallel to the World Heavyweight Championship opening yesterday, and that Triple Threat was awesome. All three women are obviously incredible, but they looked even more incredible than that in the match. I’m a little surprised Iyo won instead of Bianca, but that was a great sequence to give Iyo the win. Perhaps Bianca and Rhea split off to have their own feud on the road to Backlash, and who knows who Iyo faces in the meantime, but this is good stuff.
Priest VS McIntyre was an awesome Street Fight, though I’m surprised they didn’t go into the crowd. Maybe that’s for the better, we got that last night with Punk and Rollins in the Triple Threat. But as I figured, Drew wins because he kinda needs it most. Not sure where he goes from here, given where the championships have all ended up, but maybe Face-Heel dynamics won’t matter to Drew. And speaking of championships, great Fatal 4 Intercontinental Championship match. Of course Dom and Finn end up going after each other, but it is a touch surprising Dom turned on Finn. Granted, Finn was throwing that passive aggressive shade, so this is more like Dom standing up to Finn. Great sequence to finish and Dom winning is awesome stuff for him. I would think Dom VS Finn is an obvious feud going towards Backlash and another title match.
Joe Hendry being Randy Orton’s opponent was oddly not on the radar given all the speculation of Aleister Black, Rusev, and a few other possibilities, but it’s great for Hendry to make a WrestleMania debut. I did not think the match would be so quick, but when this is an obvious substitute for the planned Orton VS Kevin match, it does make some sense. Great win for Orton in that way, and of course he RKO’d Hendry a second time just for fun. Backlash being in St. Louis, it should be a given that Orton headlines that, maybe even for the Undisputed WWE Championship.
AJ Styles VS Logan Paul was good, but could’ve been better. Given both guys are so athletic, I’m surprised we didn’t try to make this more about who can fly higher, but it seemed to be more about combining the tech with the high spots. Well, that and testing if Styles can still bust out that aggression. Kross showing up to tempt Styles and Styles resisting was a fine beat, but a bit disappointing that that had to cost Styles for Logan to win. I fear that with Jey Uso as a new Face champion, Logan as the obvious Heel will challenge him for the next stretch.
Great women’s tag title match, and it makes a lot of sense for Becky to be the new tag partner. As I said yesterday, there’s great story for how NXT is going to go, with Lyra being friend to both Tatum and Becky and Tatum can be jealous of Becky. As for Liv & Raquel, they might want a rematch, they might have to deal with Bayley thinking it was them in the attack, who knows. This can also add to the Judgment Day story where Dom is now the only champion in the group, and he has to do his best to lead the group through encouraging Liv & Raquel.
That Stone Cold Steve Austin moment was fun, but then really awkward when he hit the barrier. I can kinda tell he maybe underestimated that turn in front of the desk. He was having fun, saying hey to commentary, and that essentially distracted him and caused the crash. Hopefully the fans there were okay. Seems rather silly they did that much just so Austin could announce the numbers for tonight and then give a “total” that isn’t accurate. Because duh, I would think the majority of the 61,461 or whatever it was came back for night two. So at best, they added another 2,000 people from last night.
And of course, the main event. As a match goes, it was purposefully not good, because of Cena’s line from weeks ago, how he’s going to “ruin wrestling.” I did like that Cena kinda tried to wrestle to stick it to the haters, but then he just resorted to a very Hulk Hogan “big muscular brawler” style. Travis Scott showing up is fitting, but a little disappointing The Rock didn’t make an appearance of any kind. But maybe that’s because fans wanted/expected that, and Cena’s also been about denying fans what they want… But ironically, plenty of fans wanted him to win 17 just for the intrigue, and here we are. Cody’s moment of hesitation costs him, Cena is champion again, and tomorrow night’s Raw is going to be a lot of fun.
My Score: 9.3/10
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