Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW Anniversary Show Results & Report! (3/1/22)
It’s the 50TH ANNIVERSARY!
The greatest anniversary of New Japan’s history!
From 1972 to now, 2022, FIFTY YEARS of NJPW is celebrated this day! Today’s stars and legends of yesteryear converge as NJPW heads into the future!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Six Man Tag: House of Torture VS Tiger Mask, YOH & Ryohei Oiwa; House of Torture win(s).
- Six Man Tag: Bullet Club VS Taichi, TAKA Michinoku & Minoru Tanaka; Bullet Club wins.
- Six Man Tag: Suzuki-Gun VS Strong Hearts; Strong Hearts win.
- 8 Man Tag: Yuji Nagata, Satoshi Kojima, Yuto Nakashima & Kosei Fujita VS The United Empire; The United Empire wins.
- 10 Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Togi Makabe, Tomoaki Honma, Toru Yano, Tomohiro Ishii & Shiro Koshinaka; LIJ wins.
- Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI VS Ryusuke Taguchi & Master Wato; Goto & Hashi win.
- NJPW 50th Anniversary Six Man Tag: Kazuchika Okada, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Tatsumi Fujinami VS Minoru Suzuki, Zack Sabre Jr. & Yoshiaki Fujiwara; Okada, Tanahashi & Fujinami win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Six Man Tag: Bullet Club VS Taichi, TAKA Michinoku & Minoru Tanaka!
El Phantasmo, Taiji Ishimori & Bad Luck Fale are a unique combo even within Bullet Club, but they’re up a unique combination. The Holy Emperor and Blue Playmaker are teaming with a different Minoru, but will The Special One help them take this win?
While Taichi shows off the dancing pecs, Taiji and ELP show they can do that, too. Bullet Club Low Sweets, and Bone Soldier steps up. Fans rally for “TA-NA-KA!” as he wants to Suzuki-Gun fist bump. But then he does a low bump to mock Bullet Club. The fans rally up as the bell rings and the two circle. Taiji and Tanaka feel out the grapple, Tanaka KICKS Taiji right in the leg! Taiji shakes that leg out while ELP talks trash. Tanaka ignores ELP to tie up with Taiji. Tanaka gets to a waistlock but Taiji switches. Tanaka wrenches free but Taiji rolls to wristlock back. Taiji hammerlocks, but Tanaka slips through to get around and hammerlock then headlock takeover!
Taiji headscissors, Tanaka kips free and fans cheer as the two stand off. Tanaka and Taiji circle and fans rally up. Tanaka shows that HE can do the dancing pecs, and then he approaches with Taiji. They feel out the grapple, and Tanaka sobats! Tanaka bumps Taiji off buckles, then holds Taiji’s nose closed! And then Tanaka CLUBS the nose! Fans fire up as Tanaka whips Taiji corner to corner, but Taiji reverses. Tanaka dodges Taiji as he runs in, but Taiji kicks Tanaka and runs. Tanaka drops to dropkick Taiji down! And a handspring just to show off! Fans fire up for Tanaka as he snapmares and KICKS Taiji in the back, then STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO!
Tanaka argues the count but he drags Taiji up. Tanaka ROCKS Taiji, ELP complains to commentary that he’s never heard of this guy. Tanaka whips Taiji to a corner, Taiji slips out then slides under and then back out. Taiji shoulders into Tanaka, springboards over him and gets around. Tanaka switches but Taiji runs and throws Tanaka out of the ring. Taiji then blasts Taka and Taichi while Fale CLUBS Tanaka down! Fale drags Tanaka up to whip him into railing! ELP gets Taka with PURPLE NURPLES! Taiji gets back in the ring and Fale sets Tanaka up for ELP’s PURPLE NURPLES! The ring count starts and ELP lets off at 5 of 20.
Tanaka drags himself up at 11 of 20 as fans rally. Tanaka gets in at 14, Taiji bumps him off buckles. Tag to ELP and the Cutest Tag Team puts Tanaka up top and into the Tree of Woe. Taiji runs corner to corner, SLIDING DROPKICK! ELP runs corner to corner, HESITATION DROPKICK! Tanaka flops out of the Tree, ELP covers, TWO! Fale tags in, ELP holds Tanaka down and Fale turns him over to stand on Tanaka’s back! Tanaka endures, the ref counts, but ELP and Taiji climb onto Fale to add more weight! The ref has to keep Taichi and Taka back, and Bullet Club lets off before the count.
Taiji tags in, he CLUBS Tanaka down, then brings him up. Tanaka hits back with forearms, but Taiji ROCKS Tanaka back. Taiji runs, into a ROUNDHOUSE! FLYING ARMBAR TAKEDOWN!! ELP breaks it fast, then DECKS Taichi! Fans rally up, Taiji tags in Fale, and Fale drags Tanaka up to scoop and SLAM! Fale runs the ropes, BIG elbow flop! Hot tag to Taichi! Taichi drags Fale up for Kowata Kicks! Fale gets up and roars but Taichi KICKS away on his leg. Taichi dodges Fale’s lariat to sobat! ELP kicks Taichi, whips, but Taichi reverses to wrench and HOOK KICK! But Fale runs Taichi over! Then he drops the BIG elbow! Cover, TWO!
Fale gets up and waits on Taichi. Fans rally up, Fale choke grips and pulls the pin, but Taichi avoids the Grenade! Taichi CHOKES Fale with both hands! The ref counts, Fale shoves Taichi over, but Taichi gets right up! Taichi eggs Fale on for some sumo, and Fale rushes in. Taichi hooks the arm and wants that toss! Fale hops around, Taichi gets the takedown! Fans fire up, but Fale hits Taichi hard in a body shot! Fale whips Taichi to a corner, but Taichi dodges the splash to GAMANGIRI! Both men are down and fans fire up! Hot tags to ELP and Taka! ELP kicks and whips but Taka reverses to drag ELP down! JUST FACELOCK!
ELP scrambles to the ropes, ROPEBREAK! Taka lets go in frustration but he gets ELP up to ROCK him with an uppercut. Taka whips corner to corner and SHINING WIZARDS! Snapmare and SHINING WIZARD! Cover, TWO!! But back to JUST FACELOCK! Taiji gets in to stomp Taka down! Tanaka gets in but Taiji kicks him first, then rakes Tanaka’s before throwing him out. Taiji kicks Taka, CLUBS him, but Taka pokes Taiji’s eyes! ELP CLAWS Taka’s back, but Taka CALF KICKS! ELP wobbles, Taka scoops him! ELP slips off to mule kick, front kick, and ENZIGURI! He tunes up the band, but does he have the confidence to try again?
Taiji coaches ELP, he can do it! But ELP says no, so Taiji gut wrenches! CIPHER UTAKI to THUNDERKISS 86! Cover, Bullet Club wins!
Winners: Bullet Club, by pinfall
The Headbanga is still in his head about Sudden Death not being “loaded,” but he and his team still find a way to win. Will ELP get through the mental block in time for the New Japan Cup? Or will it hold him back from rising up the ranks?
Six Man Tag: Suzuki-Gun VS Strong Hearts!
El Desperado called out EL Lindaman, T-Hawk and CIMA in regards to his IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship wish list, and now he’s getting them all at once! Will the Rogue Luchador win alongside the Heel Master and Japones del Mal? Or will the Strong Hearts show just how #GLEAT they are?
As the trios sort out, Desperado and Lindaman compare belts. Needless to say, the GLEAT G-REX title is bigger, but the IWGP Junior Heavyweight title is more famous. The belts are put aside and the champions step up! Fans cheer, but then Desperado swerves everyone and tags Kanemaru. T-Hawk wants in so Lindaman tags him. Fans cheer as these two circle, only for Desperado and Douki to jump T-Hawk! Kanemaru knocks Lindaman and Cima down, then Suzuki-Gun all stomp T-Hawk down! The ref reprimands, but T-Hawk gets up to fire off forearms on all of them! But that’s 3v1, Suzuki-Gun gets the advantage.
Desperado and Kanemaru double whip T-Hawk and Douki runs in, but T-Hawk dodges Douki to dropkick Kanemaru’s leg out! T-Hawk then runs Douki over, but Desperado kicks low. Desperado reels T-Hawk in, but T-Hawk suplexes him first! Fans fire up with T-Hawk, but he turns around into Kanemaru’s dropkick to the leg! Kanemaru stomps T-Hawk, scuffs him and talks trash. T-Hawk gets up, Kanemaru ducks the chop and kicks low. T-Hawk tries again but Kanemaru blocks, kicks the leg again, then blocks another chop! T-Hawk still tries, Kanemaru ducks again, and Kanemaru kicks the leg yet again!
Kanemaru whips, T-Hawk holds ropes and kicks back, to CHOP and SPINNING CHOP! Tag to Lindaman and he goes right up top! BIG missile dropkick! Strong Hearts then blasts Desperado and Douki off the apron! Lindaman fires up, he facelocks Kanemaru and CLUBS him. Lindaman shifts to a cravat, tags in Cima, and snapmare for Cima’s slingshot senton! Cima drags Kanemaru around to hook up the legs in a deathlock! Kanemaru endures, fans rally, and Strong Hearts play defense. Kanemaru drags himself over to the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Cima has the ref help him undo the leg lock, but Desperado gets in and stomps Cima!
Lindaman throws Desperado out, and Cima stomps Kanemaru. Kanemaru hits back but Cima knees him to the corner. Cima throws a forearm, tags in T-Hawk, and they double whip Kanemaru to ropes. They double elbow, roll Kanemaru to whip again, and then double hip toss into a SLAM! Lindaman gets in, TRIPLE DROPKICKS! Fans rally and T-Hawk drags Kanemaru up. T-Hawk scoops but Kanemaru slips free to shove T-Hawk into Cima! Roll up, TWO! Kanemaru dodges T-Hawk’s clothesline, Kanemaru tilt-o-whirls but T-Hawk sets him down. T-Hawk goes for the suplex but Kanemaru blocks!
Fans rally as these two fight for suplex control! Kanemaru gets T-Hawk up and over! Fans fire up as both men are down! They crawl, hot tags to Desperado and Lindaman! Desperado rallies with shoulders and elbows, but Lindaman kicks and whips. Desperado reverses to SPINEBUSTER! High stack, TWO! Desperado DECKS Cima off the apron and fans rally up. Desperado gets Lindaman up but Lindaman blocks the Guitarra. Lindaman ROCKS Desperado, but Desperado comes back to ROCK Lindmana! Lindaman and Desperado throw more forearms back and forth, then Desperado CHOPS!
Desperado runs, but Lindaman back elbows, ROLLING ELBOWS and SAIDOS! Then a scoop with the straight arm lever to a SLAM! High stack, TWO, but right into a wheelbarrow! Desperado fights the suplex, wrenches and reels Lindaman in, GUITARRA DEL ANGEL! Fans are fired up as both men crawl. Hot tags to Douki and Cima! Cima dropkicks Douki right down! Cima whips, Douki reverses but Cima goes up and over, to kick and SLAM Douki down. Vader KNEE DROP! Cover, TWO! Cima drags Douki up, fisherman, but Douki slips out to waistlock. Cima switches, Douki elbows free, mule kicks and ENZIGURIS!
Kanemaru rushes in to dropkick T-Hawk! Douki kicks Cima, he and Kanemaru double whip Cima to a corner. Douki runs in to back elbow, Kanemaru adds his own. Kanemaru scoops and BRITISH FALL, Douki is up top for a DOUBLE STOMP! Cover, TWO!! Fans fire up as Douki goes to the apron. DAYBREAK!! Cover, T-Hawk breaks it! Kanemaru throws T-Hawk right out then goes after him. But T-Hawk whips Kanemaru into the railing! Douki calls his shot, reels Cima in, but Cima fights the full nelsons. Douki HELL STABS, but T-Hawk pops Douki up for a KNEE! METEORA from Cima, INVERTED EXPLODER from T-Hawk!
Lindaman deadlift GERMAN SUPLEXES Douki! T-Hawk dropkicks Desperado and Lindaman FLIES out onto him and Kanemaru! T-Hawk hits Douki with a NIGHTRIDER crucifix bomb! Cima’s back up top, METEORA!! Cover, Strong Hearts win!
Winners: Strong Hearts, by pinfall
Now that was GLEAT wrestling! Will El Desperado regret calling out these three? Or will he manage to survive, Cima, T-Hawk and Lindaman when the time comes?
10 Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Togi Makabe, Tomoaki Honma, Toru Yano, Tomohiro Ishii & Shiro Koshinaka!
Bushi, Sanada, Hiromu, Takagi y Naito are ready to win big together for the 50th Anniversary! But they’re up against a special reunion tour of the Great Bash Heel! Will Black Mask, Cold Skull, Timebomb, Roaring Dragon and Uncontrollable Charisma be tranquilo against Rampaging King Kong, Everyone’s Kokeshi, the Producer, the Stone Pitbull and Samurai Senshi?
Fans rally up as the elaborate ring gear is all put aside. The teams sort out, and Shiro steps up. He’s ready, but Naito wants him to relax. LIJ does the fist bump, and then Takagi leads the charge! It’s a huge brawl as Takagi’s after Ishii, Bushi has Shiro, Naito stomps Makabe down, Hiromu CLUBS Honma and Sanada throws Yano out. Hiromu throws Honma out, Bushi and Sanada have Shiro in the corner, and Hiromu coordinates with Naito to double whip Makabe to the corner. Naito runs in, but Makabe dodges to run Bushi over! Hiromu CLUBS Makabe, he and Naito double whip again. Makabe busts the line to DOUBLE LARIAT back!
Makabe has Naito in a corner, he climbs up and rains down fists! Fans rally, and Makabe laughs as he gets all 10. Tag to Yano, he fires up and drags Naito up to… drop Naito and untie the buckle pad! Yano goes after Naito but Naito whips him, only for Yano to reverse! Naito hits bare buckles and Yano fires up! Wait, he wants Shiro to help! Yano leads a “KO-SHI NA-KA!” chant and fans clap along. Yano fires up but LIJ attacks him and the rest of GBH! Takagi whips Ishii into railing then BOOTS him! Hiromu and Naito stomp Yano, then whip him into the bare buckles! Hiromu tags in, he and Naito mug Yano.
Hiromu whips Yano into the safe corner to clothesline, snapmare and then HIP ATTACK! Hiromu shows Shiro that he can do it, too! More hip attacks! Then he sucker punches Shiro! Shiro gets mad but the ref keeps him back. Hriomu and Naito bring Yano over, tag to Bushi, and Bushi stomps Yano. Bushi snapmares Yano then shows he can do the hip attack, too! Bushi stomps Yano, tags Takagi, and Takagi wants Shiro to watch. Takagi drags Yano up, snapmares, wraps on a chinlock to then drive elbows in. Takagi DECKS Ishii, ROCKS Shiro, and then hauls Yano up to the corner. Tag to Sanada and they mug Yano.
Sanada CLUBS Yano, drags Yano up and fans rally. Yano breaks free but Sanada trips him up! Sanada ties Yano up in Paradise! Fans cheer and Sanada encourages them to get louder. But Shiro gets in to save Yano from Paradise, and Sanada complains! Sanada drags Yano up, whips, but Yano reverses to throw Sanada down by his hair! Fans rally, hot tag to Shiro! HIP ATTACK for Sanada! Haymakers for the rest, but Hiromu and Bushi get in! Makabe & Honma intercept them, and they feed each of them to HIP ATTACKS from Shiro! Then a double whip to a HIP ATTACK for Sanada! Sanada bails out, Shiro runs and FLYING HIP ATTACK off the apron!
Shiro puts Sanada in and fans rally up. Honma puts Sanada in a corner, he and Makabe double whip him into the bare steel! Back elbow, clothesline, and then Shiro goes up, MISSILE HIP! Shiro gives Sanada some point blank hip attacks, but Sanada suplexes Shiro down! Fans rally up as both men are down. Sanada and Shiro crawl, hot tags to Takagi and Ishii! Dragon and Pitbull ram shoulders over and over! Then Ishii forearms, runs, rams but Takagi rams back. Ishii rams again, Takagi runs him over! Scoop, SLAM and SENTON! Cover, TWO! But Takagi only fires up more, and fans rally up behind him!
Takagi kicks Ishii, throws forearms, and even a headbutt. JAB, CHOP, on repeat! JAB JAB JAB JAB! Ishii drops but Takagi stands him up. Takagi CHOPS, but Ishii just glares. Ishii CHOPS, forearms, and repeat! Fans fire up as the shots keep coming! Ishii whips, Takagi reverses but Ishii comes back to run Takagi over! Ishii kicks at Takagi, Takagi eggs Ishii on. They start throwing slaps! Then forearms! Takagi ROCKS Ishii, and again, and again! Takagi whips Ishii to a corner, blocks a boot and corner clotheslines! Takagi runs, into a POWERSLAM! Fans fire up, Takagi gets Ishii and spins him, BRAINBUSTER!
But Ishii’s right back up! Ishii suplexes Takagi high and hard in return! Fans fire up as both men are down, and they crawl to their corners. Hot tag to Honma, and Yano joins him in knocking down LIJ! They and Makabe have Takagi, CLOTHESLINE SANDWICH! Yano trips Takagi to CATAPULT him into the bare buckles! Takagi staggers into the HIP ATTACK! Honma fires up, runs, KOKESHI! Cover, TWO! Takagi is still in this but Honma fires up again. Fans rally as Honma runs, LARIAT! Takagi stays up and roars, so Honma runs again. ELBOW! JAB! YUKON LARIAT! Takagi has LIJ get involved, Hiromu CHOPS Honma to a corner.
Hiromu & Bushi double whip Honma to a corner, Hiromu runs in to lariat! Sanada back elbows, Bushi back elbows, and then snapmare to a QUADRUPLE BASEMENT DROPKICK! Bushi sits Honma up for SLIDING LARIAT from Takagi! Cover, but Ishii breaks it! Ishii fires off on Takagi, but Takagi ROCKS him back! Bushi dropkicks Ishii out, then builds speed to DIVE! Direct hit at the ramp! Makabe CLOBBERS Hiromu on the outside! Takagi fires up and fans rally, and Takagi drags Honma up and pump handles. Honma fights free and Takagi point-blank LARIATS! Honma stays up on determination alone!
Takagi and Honma fire off forearms back and forth, but Honma gets the edge! Takagi fires boxing elbows in return! But Honma ROCKS Takagi and HEADBUTTS! Honma runs, but Takagi lariats at the ropes! Takagi runs and PUMPING BOMBER! Cover, TWO!! Honma survives but Takagi roars again! LIJ keeps GBH out, Takagi gets Honma up, LAST OF THE DRAGONS! Cover, LIJ wins!
Winners: Los Ingobernables de Japon, by pinfall
And so, LIJ proves they are greater than GBH! Will we see each of the ungovernables make it through the first round of the New Japan Cup?
Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI VS Ryusuke Taguchi & Master Wato!
The 92nd IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions, #BISHAMON. The 69th IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions, #SixOrNine. The Anniversary Show tradition takes on a new form as these two teams face off! Will the Fierce Warrior & Head Hunter show the heavyweight division’s dominance? Or will the Funky Weapon & Way of the Grandmaster shock the world just as they did in winning their titles?
The teams sort out and fans rally up, Goto and Taguchi start as a reunion of the 2002 NJPW Dojo class! They circle, tie up, and Taguchi manages to push Goto to ropes. The ref counts the ropebreak, Taguchi lets off cleanly and the fans cheer. Goto and Taguchi circle again, tie up again, and Goto powers Taguchi to ropes now. The ref counts the ropebreak again and Goto lets off cleanly. The two reset and tie up again, and Goto headlocks. Taguchi pries at the hold but Goto holds tight. Taguchi powers up, powers out and gets the headlock for his own. Goto fights up, but Taguchi holds tight now.
Taguchi grinds but Goto fights up and powers out. Goto and Taguchi ram shoulders but neither falls! Fans rally up, Taguchi runs and they ram shoulders again. Goto eggs Taguchi on, Taguchi runs but he ducks, dodges and HIP ATTACKS! Fans fire up and Taguchi gives Goto point-blank hip attacks. Taguchi runs, but Goto-Hashi run him over together! Then hip toss senton! Wato gets in, he RANAS Hashi, then gives Goto a back elbow, uppercut and sobat! Fans fire up and Wato coaches Taguchi. Wato stomps Goto, Taguchi gets up and they double whip Goto to double drop toehold and double basement dropkick! Cover, TWO!
Taguchi drags Goto up to throw more hip attacks, then runs, but Goto follows! Goto LARIATS Taguchi down and then brings him over to the corner. Tag to Hashi, they bring Taguchi up to hammer him down! Wato runs in but into a kick. Wato gets hammered, too! Fans cheer, Hashi brings Taguchi up and CLUBS him on the back. Hashi bumps Taguchi off buckles then CHOPS him! Taguchi drops to the mat, Goto tags in and Goto stomps Taguchi. Goto drags Taguchi, snapmares him and clamps on a chinlock. Taguchi endures as he has a knee in his back, and fans rally as Goto JAMS an elbow into Taguchi’s forehead. Cover, TWO!
Goto brings Taguchi up and over and bumps him off buckles. Tag to Hashi, they stomp Taguchi but Taguchi throws body shots. Hashi CLUBS Taguchi, stomps him more, but fans rally up. Hashi brings Taguchi up but Taguchi CHOPS and CHOPS! Hashi CHOPS back! Hashi runs, but fakes out the hip attack! Taguchi crashes, but he gets right back up as Hashi runs, HIP ATTACK! Both men are down and fans fire up! Hot tag to Wato! Wato rallies with elbows and a BOOT! Wato whips, dropkicks and then builds speed as Hashi bails out. Goto gets in to kick Wato! Goto whips, Wato reverses and dropkicks Goto down!
Goto regroups with Hashi outside, Wato builds speed to FLY! Direct hit on both heavyweight champions! Wato fires up and the fans rally behind him as he points to the 50th Anniversary logo. Wato puts Hashi in, climbs up the corner and aims, BIG missile dropkick! Cover, TWO! Wato roars, drags Hashi back up, GERMAN- NO! Hashi fights the suplex, throws elbows and is free. But Wato boots him back! Wato whips, runs in at the corner, but Hashi CHOPS! Hashi mule kicks, turns Wato and NECKBREAKER! Fans fire up again as both men are down! Hot tag to Goto! Goto runs but into a CALF KICK from Wato!
Wato and Goto are down, Wato crawls for his corner! Hot tag to Taguchi! Taguchi aims at Goto on the ropes, HIP ATTACK! Another HIP ATTACK! And then baseball slide, APRON HIP ATTACK! Taguchi aims at Goto as fans rally up, MISSILE HIP! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up behind “TA-GU-CHI!” as he drags Goto up. Taguchi snap suplexes, Uno Amigo! Then Dos Amigos! Taguchi wants three, but Goto denies! Fans rally as the two fight, Goto suplexes Taguchi high and hard! Both men are down, the fans rally up and Goto gets to ropes. Goto stands, runs in, but Taguchi gets around. Goto fights the waistlock and puts Taguchi in the corner!
Hashi runs in, Goto gets clear and Hashi CHOPS Taguchi! Hashi whips Taguchi corner to corner, then he whips Goto in. But Taguchi dodges and Goto gets buckles! Wato FLYING UPPERCUTS Hashi! Wato sobats Goto, fires off forearms, then he and Taguchi double whip. They keep Goto moving, HIP TOSS to BUMAYE! Cover, TWO! Fans are fired up as Goto survives! Taguchi drags Goto up, Goto fights the chicken wings and throws elbows. Taguchi runs in, into a fireman’s carry! Taguchi slips off, HIDDEN GAP hits! Hashi SPIN KICKS Wato, and then GOTO GOTO HUNTER! Goto and Hashi get Taguchi up, but Taguchi boots Hashi away!
Wato drags Hashi out while Taguchi victory rolls Goto! TWO!! Goto escapes, but Taguchi has OH MY GARFUNKLE! Goto endures, fans rally up, Taguchi leans on the hold! Goto claws his way over towards the ropes, but Wato KICKS the hand away! Taguchi drops an elbow on the leg! Taguchi has BOTH legs caught! Fans are thunderous as Goto endures, Taguchi leans all his weight on the hold! Hashi gets past Wato to stomp away on Taguchi! Wato gets in to CLUB Hashi and throw him out! Wato calls to Taguchi and they get Goto up. Wheelbarrow, but Goto fights free! BOOT for Wato, arm-drag for Taguchi!
Taguchi dodges to HIP ATTACK Goto! Hashi runs in, HIP ATTACK for him! Taguchi sends Hashi into Goto, and then he runs, but Hashi moves! Taguchi lands on Goto’s knee! SUPERKICK! Pump handle torture rack, JIGOKU KURAMA! Goto brings back a classic! Cover, TWO!! Taguchi survives but Goto drags him back up. Fans are thunderous as they set Taguchi up, but Wato BOOTS Hashi! Wato ROCKS and KICKS Goto, then KICKS again! Wato runs, into a fireman’s carry! FIERCE FLASH!! Goto-Hashi refocus on Taguchi, but they switch it up! Taguchi fights out, Goto tries again but Taguchi slips free!
Goto deflects the boot to DISCUS, but Taguchi ducks it! HIDDEN GAP!! Goto gets Taguchi back up, FIERCE FLASH! And they call their shot! Fans fire up, Goto drags Taguchi up, SHOUTO!! Cover, the heavyweight champions win!
Winners: Hirooki Goto & Yoshi-Hashi, by pinfall
Six Or Nine gave them one hell of a match, but Bishamon comes out the victors! And they show their respect to Taguchi and Wato, as well. The Heavyweights maintain their dominance over the Junior Heavyweights, but will Goto-Hashi make it through the New Japan Cup’s first round? As for Wato, is he ready to face whoever it is that wins between Kazuchika Okada and El Desperado?
NJPW 50th Anniversary Six Man Tag: Kazuchika Okada, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Tatsumi Fujinami VS Minoru Suzuki, Zack Sabre Jr. & Yoshiaki Fujiwara!
What a collection of stars to finish out the show! The Rainmaker and the Ace join forces with the ORIGINAL Dragon while the King of Pancrase and the Submission Master are joined by the Terror of Showa! Legends new and old collide, who stands tall on the biggest night in NJPW history?
The teams sort out and fans are already rallying, perhaps clapping for “NEW JAPAN!” more than any individual wrestler. Okada starts against ZSJ and the two circle as fans continue to rally. They feel out the grapple, go for knuckle locks, but ZSJ rolls and wrenches to have a wristlock. ZSJ wrangles Okada down, Okada rolls and trips ZSJ to have a toehold. ZSJ chinbars, then chinlocks and brings Okada down. ZSJ gets body scissors, then shifts to go for an arm. Okada makes it a cover, TWO! Okada waistlocks, headlocks, but ZSJ endures the grind. ZSJ fights up but Okada hits the takeover.
ZSJ headscissors and holds tight! Fans cheer as the technical exchange continues. Okada moves around, pops out, and he puts pressure on ZSJ’s legs. Okada gets the headlock but ZSJ gets the headscissors back! Okada fights around again, ZSJ squeezes tight to keep Okada down. Okada hops and headstands and fans cheer as he pops free again. Okada turns ZSJ over, ZSJ reels Okada in to a headlock. Okada powers up but can’t power out, and ZSJ cravats to snapmare. Okada slips out of the headlock to wristlock but ZSJ rolls, bridges and wrenches to WRING Okada. Okada boots ZSJ away and fans cheer as the two stand off!
Fans rally up again and ZSJ waves Okada off to tag Suzuki. Okada looks to his corner, but Suzuki CLUBS Okada from behind! Suzuki snapmares Okada to a motorcycle stretch, to a crossface! Suzuki dares Okada’s partners to do something with just a glare, but Okada fights up and powers Suzuki to the corner. Fujinami tags in and fans fire up as the legend has Okada stand down. Fujinami and Suzuki circle now, they feel things out, and then Fujinami gets the arm. Suzuki resists, Fujinami hits a double wristlock takedown, then shifts to a headscissors! Suzuki endures, Fujinami gets an arm to keep Suzuki down.
Suzuki fights up and around, pops free, and he gets the leg for a standing heel hook! Fujinami breaks Suzuki’s stand and gets the heel hook for himself! Suzuki smirks as Fujinami lets off and the two reset. Fujiwara wants in and fans fire up! Tanahashi tags in, Suzuki leaves the legend on his team hanging! Suzuki and Tanahashi tie up, Tanahashi wrenches, hammerlocks but Suzuki wrenches back. Suzuki has the hammerlock and he powers Tanahashi to the corner. Suzuki pulls on Tanahashi’s hair, and Fujiwara tags himself in! Suzuki is mad but Fujiwara pie faces him! Suzuki’s still a kid to this old man!
Suzuki gets hot so Fujiwara SLAPS him! Suzuki SLAPS back! So Fujiwara SLAPS Suzuki! Red Shoes has Suzuki go to the corner and fans rally up for Fujiwara! Fujiwara and Tanahashi circle, feel out the grapple, and Fujiwara headbutts, to go for his armbar! Tanahashi scrambles and gets to the ropes! Fujiwara lets Tanahashi go, and the two resist. Tanahashi gets a leg, trips Tanahashi, and has the heel hook! Fujiwara endures, grabs Tanahashi’s leg, and he gets the heel hook! Tanahashi scrambles to get the ropebreak and Fujiwara lets him go. Tanahashi and Fujiwara go again as fans rally up.
Tanahashi and Fujiwara knuckle lock, and Fujiwara brings Tanahashi towards a corner. Fujiwara uses Tanahashi’s waistband to turn things around on him! Fujiwara still has heavy hands as he rocks and SLAPS Tanahashi! Tanahashi SHOTEIS back! Tanahashi headlocks Fujiwara, tags in Okada, and they mug Fujiwara! Okada DECKS Fujiwara, no mercy even for an old man! Fujiwara gets up on the apron, Okada headbutts him, but hurts his own head? Fujiwara’s still a tough bastard! And then he unwraps a corner crossbar! Fujiwara wants fans to hush for a second. Fujiwara HEADBUTTS the crossbar, and you can hear the thunk!
Fans cheer even more as Fujiwara isn’t even fazed! He HEADBUTTS the bar again just to prove a point! Fujiwara smirks, ties up with Okada, and he gets Okada’s head, to HEADBUTT! Okada scrambles away, Fujiwara waits on the young’un to come back. Okada returns, he ties up with Fujiwara, and Okada wrenches to bring Fujiwara back. Fujinami tags in and fans fire up to see these legends active at the same time! Fujinami gets Fujiwara’s attention, headlocks, and then hits a takeover! Fujiwara rolls it to a cover, TWO! Fujinami keeps the hold, Fujiwara tries again, TWO! Fujinami still has the headlock and fans rally up!
Fujinami gives up the headlock to drag Fujiwara up and put him in the corner. Tanahashi tags in, Fujinami CHOPS and Tanahashi throws body shots. Fujiwara throws shots and those heavy hands ROCK Tanahashi! HEADBUTT and down goes the Ace! Fujiwara tags ZSJ in, even though Suzuki was the one reaching out! ZSJ wrenches Tanahashi’s arm and wrenches again. Suzuki steps in, he and ZSJ hand off arm wrench after arm wrench. Red Shoes reprimands but they just keep going after and faster, and then ZSJ BOOTS the arm! ZSJ then gets a double wristlock and drags Tanahashi around! Tanahashi moves, ZSJ stays on the arm, but Tanahashi gets the ROPEBREAK!
Fujiwara stands on Tanahashi’s foot to keep him anchored, and ZSJ stands on Tanahashi’s arm! Suzuki joins in by going after the other leg! ZSJ gets Tanahashi for a double wristlock, Suzuki and Fujiwara each have a heel hook! Red Shoes keeps Fujinami and Okada back, so Tanahashi has to endure even longer! Red Shoes finally sees the triple submission sand counts the ropebreak. Tanahashi is set free, but ZSJ drags him up to wrench the arm. Tanahashi ROCKS ZSJ with a forearm, but ZSJ EuroUppers back. The forearms and EuroUppers continue, ZSJ headbutts low, and then again. ZSJ whips, but Tanahashi FLYING FOREARMS in return!
Fans rally up as Tanahashi drags ZSJ up. Tanahashi fires fast hands and then scoops ZSJ to SLAM him into the drop zone. Tanahashi goes up the corner, SUNSET SENTON! Cover, TWO! Fans rally again and Tanahashi waits on ZSJ to stand. Tanahashi runs, but ZSJ turns Slingblade into cobra twist! Tanahashi powers out with a hip toss, and hits a jumping elbow drop, into ZSJ’s ARMBAR! ZSJ has the arm but Tanahashi fights and moves around, ROPEBREAK! ZSJ lets go and fans rally up again. Tag to Suzuki, he drags Tanahashi up and ROCKS him with forearm after forearm! Tanahashi fires up to fire back!
Suzuki ROCKS Tanahashi and then laughs as he ROCKS Tanahashi again! And again! Tanahashi SHOTEIS, TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Both men are down and fans fire up! Tanahashi crawls, hot tag to Okada! Okada and Fujinami both get in, they whip Suzuki but Suzuki BOOTS Okada! Suzuki kicks at Fujinami but he blocks it! Suzuki SLAPS Fujinami, but Fujinami still DRAGON SCREWS Suzuki down! ZSJ gets in but Tanahashi blocks the kick, and Tanahashi DRAGON SCREWS! Okada sees Fujiwara, blocks the kick, but he isn’t so sure about the dragon screw so he just CLUBS the leg! Fans fire up as Okada gets Suzuki.
Okada Alabama lifts to REVERSE NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up, Okada gut wrenches but Suzuki slips out to headlock. Okada powers out but Suzuki holds hair to HEADBUTT! And HEADBUTT! And HEADBUTT! Fujiwara steps in to show Suzuki a proper HEADBUTT! Then they get Okada up, DOUBLE HEADBUTT! Suzuki then drags Okada down into a FUJIWARA ARMBAR! ZSJ intercepts Fujinami, and wrangles him down for a FUJIWARA ARMBAR! Tanahashi runs in, but Fujiwara himself gets Tanahashi, for a FUJIWARA ARMBAR!! Fans are loving the TRIPLE FUJIWARAS!!
Okada endures, he gets the ROPEBREAK! Red Shoes counts, all the Fujiwara Armbars are released. Okada gets up, Suzuki runs in at the corner, BOOT! Snapmare and PENALTY KICK! But Okada stays up! Okada eggs Suzuki on, so Suzuki PENALTY KICKS! Okada still eggs him on so Suzuki KICKS him again! Okada gets up to throw EuroUpper after EuroUpper! Suzuki stays up and he ROCKS Okada with a forearm! And another forearm! And another forearm! Okada wobbles, Suzuki fires off slapping palm strikes! Then SLEEPER HOLD! Okada starts to fade and turn red already! Fujinami gets in to get Suzuki with a DRAGON SLEEPER!
Suzuki flails, Tanahashi gets in to keep Fujiwara out. Fujinami feeds Suzuki to the SLINGBLADE! Tanahashi keeps Fujiwara in the corner, Okada gut wrenches Suzuki! SPINNING TOMBSTONE! Okada drags Suzuki up, ripcords, but Suzuki spins him around to the SLEEPER! Okada flails, gets an arm, ripcord but Suzuki SLAPS Okada! Suzuki fakes out the dropkick to SLAP him again! Suzuki runs, into the DROPKICK! Okada hurries to get Suzuki up, gut wrench and LANDSLIDE! Then ripcord, RAINMAKER!! Cover, Okada’s team wins!
Winners: Kazuchika Okada, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Tatsumi Fujinami, by pinfall
Fujiwara was still terrorizing Tanahashi and Fujinami on the outside, he missed what happened! In the end, the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion finishes it off! Will Suzuki and ZSJ be able to recover and redeem themselves in the New Japan Cup?
As for Okada and his team, they celebrate with their photo ops, and then Okada gets the mic. “Everyone, thank you for your enthusiastic and passionate support today!” Okada thanks Tanahashi and Fujinami, and then says, “It’s the 50th Anniversary of NJPW, and with all these legends here today, I really felt the weight of NJPW again. I’ve said I’ll carry the load, but now I know I have to be prepared. I’ll do what I have to to make this anniversary even more exciting!” Fans cheer that sentiment.
Okada then says that while many appeared, Inoki hasn’t arrived. “I believe that the first step Inoki-san took is what led to this NJPW. Against all odds, he fought and created what we have here. I believe he will return to this ring! Until then, we’ll keep bringing the entertainment, so keep supporting us!” Fans cheer that sentiment, too, and Okada hands the mic to Tanahashi. Tanahashi also thanks the fans for coming out today. “I will carry on the 50 year history and continue to make NJPW great in the future! Thank you very much. And finally…! I LOVE YOU~! And…” The mic is given back to Okada so he can say, “I’ll keep making it rain in NJPW!” And…
“Let’s send some energy to Inoki-san! Fujinami-san, if you’d please.” Fujinami is given the mic, he also thanks the fans for coming to the 50th Anniversary Show. He also thanks Okada and Tanahashi, and though they just mentioned Inoki, he wants to call Inoki out for next time. So let’s all do “that thing” and send him some energy! Fujinami even calls to Chono and Choshu on commentary to help out. Fans cheer and both Chono and Choshu are a bit surprised. They stand up at the desk, and on the count of one, two, three! “DAAA!” Fans cheer this amazing moment, and we all hope Inoki-san can return! But for now, onward! To another FIFTY YEARS of NJPW!
My Thoughts:
A great event for NJPW, and I was going to only skip one match, but unfortunately, Tenzan AND Kota Ibushi are still unable to compete. That is rough for Ibushi especially, since he has been out of action since I believe mid 2021. So Young Lions took the losses to House of Torture and United Empire, hence skipping them. Good showings, though, from what I skimmed. A lot of the returning stars and legends had great showings. Minoru Tanaka was a great part of his Six Man Tag, but Bullet Club won to further the dysfunction going on in that faction, such as ELP still having a crisis of confidence over his cheat being taken away.
Suzuki-Gun VS Strong Hearts was a very good Six Man, and that was quite the win for Strong Hearts. While the New Japan Cup is starting tomorrow, I feel like Desperado is out in the first round because he’s up against Okada. Then Desperado can defend his Junior Heavyweight title against the members of Strong Hearts, and then build to his friendly showdown with Kanemaru. That 10 Man was a lot of fun, especially because it was a reunion for Great Bash Heel. But LIJ is rolling strong, especially with Sanada as the new IWGP United States Champion. Naito is among the EIGHT matches to open the NJ Cup, this will be good momentum for his win over Yujiro Takahashi.
The tag champions VS tag champions match was great stuff. For one, this was serious Taguchi here taking on Goto. And the Junior Heavyweights looked so close to taking the win, but it’s only natural that the Heavyweights won out. Goto and Hashi are also part of tomorrow’s NJ Cup opening day, so I bet they each win their matches. And then we got an awesome main event. Fujiwara is the epitome of Murder Grandpa here, and somehow, someway, he was able to keep up. Hell, those headbutts to the crossbar were crazy. He also had great interactions with Suzuki, it was somewhere between father-son and older brother, younger brother. But in the end, Faces win so we could have that feel good moment to close the night.
My Score: 8.8/10
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Have a Holly Jolly Rampage!
The Continental Classic rolls on, and Brody King takes on Komander in hopes of grabbing three more points towards the top of Gold League!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Konosuke Takeshita & Brian Cage w/ Don Callis VS “Powerhouse” Will Hobbs & Mark Davis; Konosuke & Cage win.
- Lio Rush & Action Andretti VS Myles Hawkins & Goldy; Lio & Action win.
- Willow Nightingale VS Harley Cameron; Willow wins.
- AEW Continental Classic, Gold League: Brody King VS Komander; Brody wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Tony Schiavone is in the ring!
Schiavone welcomes out the Blue League’s current points leader, Kyle Fletcher, and of course… Don Callis. But they’re not alone as the rest of the Don Callis Family makes their way out to the ring. Wait, shouldn’t Brian Cage be in New York for Final Battle…? Well anyway, Schiavone says there’s a lot of gold and- Callis takes the mic, and he says, “I have something important to say.” The fans boo and Schiavone excuses himself as Callis says the Don Callis Family are the TRUE One Percenters of professional wrestling! They prove it each and every day!
Murder Machines: The most feared tag team in the world! “Don Callis’ favorite wrestler,” Kyle Fletcher, shows every day why he is THE One Percent! He beat Will Ospreay! He beat Kazuchika Okada! And now, he’s gonna beat Daniel Garcia and win the Continental Classic! Callis hands the mic over to Kyle and Kyle says it might be true that last Saturday wasn’t the best day for Kyle, but anyone watching that match saw the clear bias from the officials in this company! The fans boo as Kyle claims there is an agenda in AEW to see the Don Callis Family NOT succeed. But it doesn’t matter, it changes nothing!
Kyle WILL be the winner of the 2024 Continental Classic. That brings Kyle to Daniel Garcia. “You wanna talk about restoring the feeling, Daniel? I couldn’t care less about your feelings! All I speak are facts! And the fact is, I am the hottest young prospect in this industry, and I will be the future of this whole place!” The fans boo more but Callis says one last thing he wants to say, is when you’re the One Percent, you’re not like the other 99! They are not like all of these fans! They are not like “the boys in the back,” like Mark Davis & Will Hobbs, “a couple of scab workers!” They’re not even in the same business, Hobbs!
And Callis has waited to get Hobbs on a PPV so that the world could watch why they call Konosuke Takeshita “The Alpha.” And Hobbs, YOU are not in the same business as Konosuke, and you find that out at Worlds End! But speaking of, here comes the Powerhouse! Will he and Dunkzilla finish things with the Don Callis Family? Or will the AEW International and ROH World TV Champions get even for last week?
Konosuke Takeshita & Brian Cage w/ Don Callis VS “Powerhouse” Will Hobbs & Mark Davis!
The teams sort out and Konosuke starts against Hobbs to give the DC fans a preview of Worlds End. Hobbs and Konosuke step up, talk trash, and then the forearms go back and forth! The fans cheer for “MEAT! MEAT! MEAT!” and Hobbs ROCKS Konosuke! Hobbs even shouts “MEAT!” before he whips Konosuke. Konosuke ducks ‘n’ dodges but then so does Hobbs! Hobbs SPINE- NO, Konosuke flails free and Hobbs says it was that close. Konosuke says to cool off while he paces on the outside. Konosuke steps back into the ring, but he tags to Cage. The fans stay fired up for “MEAT! MEAT! MEAT!” as Cage and Hobbs circle.
Hobbs and Cage DOUBLE LARIAT! Neither man falls, so they DOUBLE LARIAT again! And again! And again! Cage kicks low, shouts, “Who Betta Than Cage?” But then Hobbs CLOBBERS him! Hobbs even gets Konosuke to back down with a glare. Hobbs brings Cage up to fire forearms, then he tags Davis. Davis & Hobbs double whip and DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE! The fans fire up as Davis stalks Cage to a corner. Davis CHOPS Cage, and CHOPS again! And CHOPS again! Cage sputters but Davis scoops to SLAM Cage down! Then ELBOW DROP! Cover, ONE! Cage stays in this but Davis bumps him off buckles.
Tag to Hobbs and he brings Cage out. Hobbs and Davis reel Cage in, fans chant “AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE! MEAT MEAT MEAT!” but Konosuke makes the save! Konosuke swings, Hobbs dodges, so the elbow DECKS Davis! Hobbs ROCKS Konosuke, Cage ROCKS Hobbs! Cage clinches, Konosuke returns, KNEE RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP COMBO! Cage covers, TWO! Cage rains down fists, the ref reprimands, but Cage steps off. Cage drags Hobbs up, bumps him off buckles, and tags Konosuke. The Callis Family stomps a mudhole into Hobbs, but then Hobbs CHOPS Konosuke! Konosuke snarls, and he CHOPS in return!
Konosuke ROCKS Hobbs, climbs up, and he rains down fists! The fans count but then Konosuke BITES Hobbs on the forehead! The ref counts, Konosuke lets off, and Hobbs sputters on the ropes. Konosuke tags to Cage and the Family gets Hobbs up. They DOUBLE SUPLEX Hobbs! Cage covers, TWO! Cage drags Hobbs up but Hobbs fires body shots. Hobbs UPPERCUTS but Cage ROCKS Hobbs! Cage ROCKS Hobbs again, Hobbs fires back, repeat! The fans rally for “MEAT! MEAT! MEAT!” Cage gets the edge, then whips, but Hobbs KICKS him away! Cage swings, Hobbs bobs ‘n’ weaves, to then hit an EXPLODER!
The fans fire up while Hobbs crawls, hot tag to Davis! Davis fires hands on Cage, “MEAT! MEAT!” Davis DECKS Cage, then whips him to ropes. Cage reveres but Davis picks him up, BACKDROP! Davis SENTONS but onto knees! Davis writhes, Cage tags Konosuke! POWER- NO, Davis stops the knee! Davis takes a swing but Konosuke ducks that, to BLUE THUNDER BOMB!! High stack, TWO!! Davis survives and Konosuke snarls, but Rampage goes picture in picture.
Konosuke rains down fists on Davis, but lets off as the ref reprimands. Konosuke tags Cage and Cage drags Davis up. Cage ROCKS Davis, whips him into a corner, and Davis hits buckles chest first! Cage RAMS into Davis, and RAMS in again, then CHOPS! Davis staggers but Cage whips him to ropes. Davis reverses, to dosido with Cage, only for Cage to CLOBBER Davis! Cage BOOTS Davis down, covers, but Hobbs breaks it! Cage gets mad and the ref reprimands Hobbs, then Cage soaks up heat from DC. Cage stalks Davis to a corner and fires haymakers! The ref reprimands but Cage DECKS Davis! Cage soaks up more heat while he flexes.
Holiday Bash returns to single picture while Davis crawls. Cage storms over but Davis fires hands! Davis CHOPS, CHOPS, but Cage JUMP KNEES! Cage whips Davis, Davis cartwheels and swings on Cage! Cage blocks, waistlocks, but Davis switches! BIG back suplex! The fans fire up as Davis rises and reaches out! Davis crawls, as does Cage, hot tags to Hobbs and Konosuke! Hobbs LARIATS Konosuke, LARIATS again, then runs up to LARIAT in a corner! Cage runs up but he’s send into Konosuke! Hobbs SANDWEICHES the Family! Hobbs whips, Cage reverses, but Hobbs comes back to CLOBBER him! Hobbs scoops Cage for a POWERSLAM!
The fans fire up but Konosuke runs up! Hobbs scoops him, too! POWERSLAM! Hobbs pumps up and the fans are with him! Hobbs stomps and shakes the ropes, then he goes back for Konosuke. Konosuke rises, Hobbs pops him up, but Konosuke ELBOWS him! Konosuke fires hands, then ROLLING ELBOWS! Hobbs staggers, Konosuke whips him, but Hobbs reverses! SPINEBUSTER! Cover, Davis blocks Cage, but Cage SHOVES Davis onto the cover! Cage then TOSSES Davis out, and he goes back for Hobbs. Hobbs TOSSES Cage! Hobbs grins as he has Konosuke alone. The straps come down, and Hobbs runs up, only for Konosuke to dodge!
Konosuke runs, Cage tags in, and Konosuke BOOTS Hobbs in the corner! Cage runs up to UPPERCUT, GAMANGIRI, and then GERMAN SUPLEX! Hobbs flounders, Cage hauls him up, PUMP HANDLE FACEBUSTER!! Cover, TWO!! Hobbs survives and Cage is furious! Cage tags Konosuke, the Family gets Hobbs up, and they double wrench to double whip. But Hobbs breaks the double lariat and Davis tags in! Hobbs DOUBLE LARIATS Cage & Konosuke! Davis runs up, they STEREO LARIAT! Konosuke BOOTS Davis and Cage waistlocks Hobbs. Konosuke runs but Davis GAMANGIRIS! Cage SUPERKICKS Davis!
Hobbs SNAP POWERSLAMS Cage! ALPHA ELBOW from Konosuke! Davis GERMAN SUPLEXES Konosuke! Cage fireman’s carries Davis, F5!! Cage runs up on Hobbs but Hobbs dodges! Hobbs LARIATS Cage and himself out of the ring! The fans fire up while Davis rises again! Konosuke also stands, and they run up! DOUBLE LARIATS! Davis GAMANGIRIS, Konosuke ends up in the corner! Davis goes side to side, SLIDING FOREARM! The fans roar as Davis hauls Konosuke up! Konosuke fights the lift, dodges Davis, and comes back, DOUBLE LARIATS finally take both men down! But not for long as they both roar to their feet!
Konosuke swings, and he SWATS Davis’ enzigiri! Konosuke then POWER DRIVE KNEES!! And then, RAGING FIRE!! Cover, Callis Family wins!
Winners: Konosuke Takeshita & Brian Cage, by pinfall
The Alpha slam dunks on Dunkzilla, and now he has 8 days to prepare for the Powerhouse! Will Konosuke hold onto his International Championship against Hobbs? Or will taking that title be the perfect payback?
Backstage interview with Willow Nightingale.
Renee Paquette is with the Babe with the Power who is in action later tonight. But first, Renee wants to congratulate Willow to making it to the finals of the inaugural International Women’s Cup. She heads off to Tokyo very soon, how is she feeling about it? Willow is very excited. Inaugural WrestleDynasty, one step closer to the inaugural International Women’s Cup winner, and so it is mind boggling after how- Kris Statlander steps in. Kris tells Willow that there is a lot she should say, but for now, she’ll say good luck at the Tokyo Dome. #BornAgainKristen takes Willow by surprise, will Willow win tonight and have momentum going to the New Year?
Lio Rush & Action Andretti VS Myles Hawkins & Goldy!
The dysfunction in Top Flight Airlines led to The Bad Child & The Sight to See winning over Darius & Dante Martin, meaning they’re next up to face Private Party. Will this be little more than a tune-up for Lio & Action?
The teams sort out, Lio starts against Myles, but then Lio handspring kicks Goldy off the apron! Myles back suplexes but Lio lands out and then dodges! Myles falls out of the ring, Action handspring kicks him down! Lio DIVES onto Goldy! Action DIVES onto Myles! The fans fire up as Action puts Myles in fast. Lio joins Action and they mug Myles. Myles fights back with forearms and CHOPS! Myle runs, but Lio & Action split the difference. Lio spins Myles for Action to mule kick, knee lift and ROLLING ELBOW! Lio fires fast hands, then DECKS Myles! Goldy springboards but Lio & Action dodge! Lio eggs Goldy on, then he and Action split the difference again!
Action runs up, Goldy dodges, but Lio LARIATS Goldy on the other side! Myles whips Lio but Lio hits RUSH HOUR! Action torture racks Myles for a NECKBREAKER! Lio covers, Lio & Action win!
Winners: Lio Rush & Action Andretti, by pinfall
Fast win for this furious duo, but “Oh my gosh, is that Private Party?” Marq Quen & Isiah Kassidy make their way out here and DC fires up! The AEW World Tag Team Champions call for “SHOTS! SHOTS! SHOTS!” Lio & Action get their shot in the near future, but wait! Dante & Darius make their way out here? Private Party looks to the tunnels, but Lio & Action CLOBBER them from behind! Dante, Darius & Leila don’t worry about the champs, they stare Lio & Action down. Lio & Action hold up the belts, then throw them at the Martins. The refs keep this from getting any more physical, but will Lio & Action take those belts from Quen & Zay soon enough?
Backstage interview with Harley Cameron.
Renee is now with the “multifaceted” Harley and notes she’s in action against Willow Nightingale tonight. Harley says yes, she IS multifaceted. She wants us to appreciate ALL her facets! Renee says yes, but she has yet to earn a singles win in AEW. Fine, ruin her fun. But then Harley asks if some person off camera is gonna say anything or just stand there. In steps Penelope Ford, and Mrs. Superbad says yes, she was simply observing. But Ford couldn’t help but notice that she and Harley share a lot of similar… facets. Harley asks how much Ford’s cost. Uh, no, not those…
Ford meant that she hasn’t had such a good 2024, either. So from The Bad Girl to the… Harley doesn’t have a good nickname yet. Well, don’t worry about it. Ford will watch Harley’s back and Harley will watch Ford’s. Wait, is something on Harley’s back? No, Harley… Just good luck. FEEL THE WRATH OF HARLEY CAMERON! No, she was being nice to you, Harley. Right, don’t feel the wrath of Harley Cameron. There is nothing on your back, Harley, stop scratching. Wait! W-What? Nothing, sorry. But will Harley be feeling Willow’s wrath instead?
Willow Nightingale VS Harley Cameron!
The bell rings and the fans rally as the two tie up. Harley pushes but Willow digs in her heels to SHOVE Harley down. Harley comes back, she and Willow reset and tie up again. Willow puts Harley in a corner, the ref counts, and Willow lets off. DC duels between Willow and Harley, and Harley wants a Test of Strength. Willow accepts the knuckle locks, but then Harley kicks low! Harley runs, wheelbarrows, but Willow turns that into a BIG back suplex! The fans cheer as Willow runs, DIVING BODY PRESS! Cover, TWO! Willow bumps Harley off buckles, then fires LARIAT after LARIAT! The fans count al the way to TEN!
Willow brings Harley out with a smile, and scoop SLAMS her! Harley flounders, Willow storms up on her for another scoop and SLAM, right as Rampage goes picture in picture.
Willow storms around while Harley staggers up. Willow scoops Harley again, then carries her around to put her in the Tree of Woe! Willow stomps a mudhole in, then lets off to run up! But Harley BOOTS her while upside-down! Harley gets free, ELBOWS Willow, then runs to knee her low! Harley runs with Willow to HOTSHOT BULLDOG! Willow is stuck in ropes, and Harley AX KICKS her! Harley then headscissors Willow to CHOKE her in the ropes! The ref counts, Harley lets go at 4, and Harley soaks up cheers and jeers from DC. Harley stomps Willow, then drags her to the outside. Harley SMACKS Willow off the apron!
Harley paces while Willow flounders, and Harley has her against railing. Harley CHOPS Willow, then brings her around. Willow blocks the bump to SMACK Harley off the apron! Harley turns things around to SMACK Willow off the apron! Harley shoves Willow in, storms up on her, and stands her up for buckle bumps. Harley stomps Willow, digs her boots in, and she thrashes around! The ref counts, Harley lets off at 4, but Willow elbows her in return! Harley RAMS into Willow again and again, but Willow CLUBS Harley! Harley ROCKS Willow, whips her to ropes, and ELBOWS Willow down! Harley soaks up more cheers and jeers while Rampage goes to break.
Holiday Bash returns and Willow CANNONBALLS, but Harley dodges! Willow hits only buckles and she hobbles after Harley. Harley kicks, KNEES, and ENZIGIRIS! Harley roars, runs, and SHINING WIZARDS! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up but Harley grows frustrated. The fans rally while Harley waistlocks, but Willow switches! Harley kicks free to switch back, but Willow ELBOWS Harley back! Willow fireman’s carries, storms around, but Harley pops up! Harley fires down elbows, then victory rolls, TWO! Willow escapes and ROCKS Harley! Fireman’s carry, DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Cover, TWO!
Harley survives but Willow roars! The fans fire up as the straps come down! Willow gut wrenches for the BABE WITH THE POWER BOMB!! Cover, Willow wins!
Winner: Willow Nightingale, by pinfall
Willow faced the wrath of Harley Cameron and she prevailed! But then PENELOPE FORD goes after Willow! The fans boo but Ford did say she’d back Harley up. They both beat up on Willow, but here comes Kris! Kris Statlander storms the ring, Harley & Ford run away! Willow is again surprised, but the fans want these two to “Hug It Out! Hug It Out!” Kris says no, she doesn’t feel like it’s the right time. Kris lets Willow have the ring, is this proof that the #BornAgainKristen isn’t just a nickname?
Team Triple J speaks backstage.
Standing alongside Jay Lethal, Satnam Singh, as well as Jeff & Karen Jarrett, Sonjay Dutt says, “They’ve asked us to look back and reflect on 2024, and Jeff, guys, what an incredible series of moments we’ve had in 2024.” The group agrees. From Wembley Stadium to Double J being in the Owen Hart Cup, some true career highlights that he will cherish forever. But Jarrett doesn’t like looking in the rearview mirror, he likes to look ahead. Next week, he’s not bringing resolutions, he’s bringing a game plan for 2025! What does the Last Outlaw have in store for himself and the team in the New Year?
AEW Continental Classic, Gold League: Brody King VS Komander!
While the rest of Gold League stands at 6 points, these two men are struggling to keep up. Will the King of Death join that traffic jam at the front of the block? Or will the Commander of the Skies be a spoiler for Christmas?
The bell rings and we’re on the clock. Brody and Komander circle while the fans bark it up. There are fans who sing “OLE~ OLE OLE OLE~” for Komander as the two tie up. But then Brody picks Komande up with both hands, and puts him on the to rope. Brody pats Komander on the shoulder, and the fans bark more. Komander hops down, not intimidated by Brody’s size. Komander then dodges Brody, DROPKICKS him, but Brody CLOBBERS Komander on the return! Brody eggs Komander on and then scuffs him. Komander gets mad and CHOPS! Brody grins and eggs Komander on. Komander CHOPS, but Brody wants more!
Komander fires up to CHOP, but Brody CHOPS Komander down! The fans fire up and Brody grins. Komander sputters, Brody paces, and Brody drags Komander up. Brody CHOPS Komander again! Brody bumps Komander off buckles, CHOPS again, and Komander flounders away! Brody stalks Komander to the corner, CHOPS him again, and Komander falls over! Brody hauls Komander up, whips him, but Komander goes up and over! Komander ducks ‘n’ dodges, but Brody BACKDROPS Komander! The fans bark while Komander writhes, and Brody drags Komander up. But Komander fires body shots and a CHOP!
Brody KNEES low and Komander drops. Brody CHOPS Komander again! Brody asks, “Are you done?!” Brody whips Komander, but Komander ducks ‘n’ dodges to then springboard, but Brody catches Komander with ease! Brody pops Komander up, but Komander pops free, sunset flip, ONE!! Brody drags Komander up and CLUBS him! Komander wobbles, Brody ROCKS him again! Brody drags Komander off the ropes, suplexes, but Komander slips around! SLEEPER! Big men still have to breathe, but Brody RAMS Komander into the buckles! Brody swings, misses, and that bad hand hits post! Komander fires KICKS on the legs!
Komander bobs ‘n’ weaves, kicks, mule kicks and ENZIGIRIS! Brody wobbles and the fans rally up! Komander knuckle locks, CHOPS, and he goes up and up and jumps around! But Brody breaks the grip and DOUBLE CHOPS Komander to the floor! The fans bark it up and the ref checks Komander while Rampage goes picture in picture.
Brody storms out after Komander, who is somehow still in this. Brody drags Komander up, and he whips Komander hard into railing! Brody revels in the DC dogs barking, and Brody stands Komander up. Brody CHOPS Komander off his feet, then refreshes the ring count. Brody drags Komander up, and whips him hard into railing! So hard, in fact, that Komander goes up and over! Brody hurries to haul Komander back up, and he suplexes Komander to the floor! Komander writhes more while Brody refreshes the count again. Brody goes back to Komander, scuffs him, and brings him back up.
Komander KICKS Brody, CHOPS, but Brody CHOPS him down! Brody revels in the noise from DC while he stands on Komander’s neck! The ref reprimands, Brody steps off and rolls into the ring. Brody again refreshes the count so he can fetch Komander. Brody puts Komander in the ring, covers, TWO! Komander is still in this but Brody is more amused than anything. Brody paces then brings Komander up. Brody CHOPS Komander to a corner, then revels in the noise a bit more. Brody then digs his boot into Komander, but lets off as the ref counts. Brody drags Komander up to CHOP, but Komander CHOPS! Brody CHOPS Komander down!
Brody digs his boots in again, but the ref counts. Brody steps away, then drags Komander to his feet. Brody ROCKS Komander as the Holiday Bash returns to single picture. Brody eggs Komander on, stands him up, and ROCKS him again! Komander flops against ropes but Brody dares him to keep fighting. Komander staggers up, but Brody CHOPS him! Komander is stinging but Brody ROCKS him! Brody whips, Komander ducks ‘n’ dodges to QUEBRADA, but Brody catches him! But Komander slips down into the STANDING BONE LOCK! The fans fire up but Brody powers up! Brody THROWS Komander right off! SENTON FLOPS as Komander moves!
Komander hurries to basement DROPKICK! The fans fire up as Brody and Komander both crawl to ropes! They both stand, Brody runs up, but Komander swings around, CRUCIFIX DRIVER! Brody flops out to the floor! Komander sees that and the fans fire up! Komander builds going side to side, and he goes up and up and CROSSBODIES, but Brody catches him! Brody RAMS Komander into the railing! And then whips him hard into more railing! Brody makes Komander take a seat, then CHOPS him! The fans bark with Brody as he gets space, and Brody runs back in, but Komander ducks! Brody CRASHES into railing!!
Komander has the fans all fired up as he rises! Komander rolls into the ring, the count is climbing, but Brody is rising! So Komander runs corner to corner to go up, up and AWAY!! Direct hit with that escalara cannonball! The fans fire up as Komander rises again! Komander and Brody both head for the ring while fans sing again, “OLE~ OLE OLE OLE~!” Komander has Brody in the drop zone! Komander goes up the corner, but Brody CLUBS him first! Brody has Komander in the Electric Chair Lift, then goes up the corner!? But Komander fights, shifts, and SUPER SUSNET FLIP POWERBOMBS!!
Brody is in the drop zone again and Komander rises! 450 SPLASH!! Cover, TWO!! Brody survives and Komander cannot believe it! “This is Awesome!” as Komander rises and goes to another corner. Komander tunes up the band, runs corner to corner, but Brody SLAPS him first! Brody runs but Komander dodges, Brody POSTS himself! Komander is on the apron and he runs up, to SHOTGUN Brody to the floor! Brody sputters, Komander climbs the corner, and the fans are thunderous! Komander springboards to ARIHARA MOONSAULT! Another direct hit and Komander feels so close to his first points in the C2!
Komander hurries to get in the ring, but then slides out to start a new ring count. Komander climbs again while Brody rises. Komander watches Brody slide in, then tightrope walks to CIELITO LINDO!! But that was on Brody’s back! Komander pushes Brody but that’s a lot of dead weight to push! Brody sits up but Komander KICKS him! Komander roars, the fans fire up, handspring- TORTURE RACK! Brody flips Komander around, GONZO BOMB!! Cover, Brody wins!!
Winner: Brody King, by pinfall (gains 3 points; Komander earns 0)
If it wasn’t clear before, this was a painful punctuation mark, Komander is mathematically ELIMINATED from the semifinals. However, Komander’s final C2 match is Dynamite’s Miracle on 34th Street against Claudio Castagnoli! Can Komander be the biggest spoiler of this entire tournament? Can Brody prove to everyone in the Gold League that the House Always Wins?
My Thoughts:
A great Rampage here for Holiday Bash, though some clear redundancies from last week’s Winter is Coming edition. We got another group Don Callis Promo, and we barely got anything different from Callis and Kyle. The tag match’s only changes were Cage switching in for Archer, even though Cage is in reality defending his ROH World TV Championship in the Hammerstein Ballroom for Final Battle, and then the Callis Family wins this time so Hobbs and Konosuke can be even going towards Worlds End. Now, Konosuke could very well retain the International Championship at Worlds End because NJPW is totally open to Konosuke Takeshita VS Shingo Takagi being Winner Takes All, AEW International and NEVER Openweight titles on the line together.
Lio & Action of course won their match, but the real purpose was to get a confrontation out of them, Private Party and OG Top Flight, Darius & Dante. Good stuff, and it teases anywhere between a Triple Threat to Lio & Action VS Darius & Dante Round 2. Very good promo from Triple J to set up for something, anything really, for 2025. Fight for the Fallen can even be the start of whatever that plan is as part of the “mother of all streams.” And good stuff with the women’s division tonight. Ford & Harley makes a natural duo now given their names, and Willow and Kris could possibly reunite now that Kris is a Face again. That wouldn’t really make up for the weird fumble in the middle where Tony Khan just wanted Kris to get away from Stokely, but hey, this story itself could be really well done.
And great stuff out of Brody VS Komander, really got the drama going before the end. I mean, we all knew Komander was out of the running before tonight, and was most certainly taking the loss here, but Komander got to really show some grit. And now, five people at 6 points going into the final round, they’re really adding great drama to Gold League. Collision tomorrow and then Dynamite Miracle on 34th Street will be some great stuff, but I still think Ospreay should be one of the semifinalists, the second spot can be whoever they want.
My Score: 8.8/10
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Feel the StrongEST, the FastEST, the RoughEST, the ToughEST, and the BEST Glow!
With Jade Cargill out of action, Naomi is stepping in to help Bianca Belair defend the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships tonight on SmackDown!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Six Man Tag: The Bloodline VS LA Knight, Apollo Creed & Andrade; The Bloodline wins.
- Braun Strowman VS Carmelo Hayes; Melo wins.
- Johnny Gargano VS Alex Shelley; Gargano wins.
- WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Bianca Belair & Naomi VS Nia Jax & Candice LeRae; Bianca & Naomi win and retain the titles.
PLAY BY PLAY
Solo Sikoa is here!
The fans boo as the “Undisputed” Tribal Chief leads the Samoan Werewolf and Good Bad Guy to the ring. Roman Reigns put out the challenge for Tribal Combat, and on January 6th, in Los Angeles, for the first-ever Monday Night Raw on Netflix, it will happen! But first, Solo and his Bloodline go to the ring, and the fans chant “O T C! O T C!” Solo tells them all, “ACKNOWLEDGE ME.” The fans boo instead, as expected. Solo lets that slide, and he says, “Roman Reigns sat on his little boat with The Wise Man and decided to challenge me on January 6th to a Tribal Combat match for the ula fala on Monday Night Raw, the debut on Netflix.”
The fans “WHAT?” Solo says instead of saying that, the fans should ACKNOWLEDGE HIM. The fans boo more, but Solo says shut your mouths and listen to what THE Tribal Chief has to say! The fans continue to boo and they continue to chant, “O T C! O T C!” Solo tells Roman that if he wants Tribal Combat, if he wants to take THE Tribal Chief to war, then let’s do it! Solo will leave his Bloodline behind, “WHAT?” Roman will leave his behind, “WHAT?” They’ll leave the Wise Man behind. “WHAT?” Jimmy and Jey, too. So listen and listen carefully: On January 6th, Solo walks in and walks OUT as THE Tribal Chief!
The fans boo more but Solo says on January 6th, he will STILL be the Head of the Table! He will STILL be YOUR Tribal Chief! And he will STILL have the ula fala! So Roman, after Solo beats your ass in LA, Roman can go back out on his little boat, sail off to the Island of Irrelevancy, and Roman can finally ACKNOWLEDGE SOLO. But wait! Drew McIntyre is here!? The Scottish Terminator has already hit Jey Uso, Jimmy Uso and Sami Zayn, but let’s not forget Solo was chief among those who screwed McIntyre out of the world championship. Solo has Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga stand down as McIntyre goes to the ring.
McIntyre grabs a mic but Solo tells him, “I gotta admit, I was very happy when you kicked my brother, Jimmy, in the face last week. Yes, I was very, very happy. But you better have a damn good reason why you’re interrupting me.” McIntyre says he’ll make it quick because it causes McIntyre physical pain to be this close to Solo and not beating Solo within an inch of his life. You like what McIntyre did to Jimmy? What about Sami and Jey? McIntyre wants to know, when Solo lies in bed at night, is he asking when McIntyre is coming after him? Because Solo is the one that cost McIntyre the title at Clash at the Castle.
Solo is the one who caused McIntyre’s family the pain and misery that caused him more pain and misery! But Solo also stood up to Roman Reigns. The only one to have the balls to stand up to Roman! The rest of them acted tough, acted like they were going to do something, but Roman snapped his fingers, didn’t change one bit. McIntyre’s heart says jump Solo, but McIntyre’s head says he and Solo have the same goal. So here’s what McIntyre is thinking: McIntyre can start working through the hit list, taking out more and more OG Bloodline members, and Solo does one thing for him: Take out Roman for good.
The fans boo but McIntyre says once all that business is finished, then he and Solo can settle theirs. But then JIMMY yanks McIntyre out of the ring! And CRACKS him with the crutch! And again! And then he runs up to CLOBBER McIntyre! McIntyre goes running into the crowd, Jimmy does his best to pursue, but now here comes LA Knight, Apollo Creed & Andrade! The Bloodline has a Six Man Tag on their hands, will Knight even let Solo make it to LA?
Six Man Tag: The Bloodline VS LA Knight, Apollo Creed & Andrade!
The brawl is on, Apollo after Tama, Andrade after Jacob, and Knight after Solo! Solo shoves back, but Knight LARIATS him up and out! Apollo DUMPS Tama and Andrade BOOTS Jacob! Apollo BOOTS Jacob, then Andrade BOOTS him again! Jacob tumbles out but Solo has him stand down! The Bloodline regroups while SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and the match is already going as Apollo ducks ‘n’ dodges Tama to then slide under. Tama keeps moving, Apollo hurdles over, drops down, then DROPKICKS! Apollo fires up and the fans are with him, then Apollo gorilla presses Tama! The fans fire up and Apollo marches around. Apollo says this is for Solo, and he DROPS Tama! Tama flounders, Apollo brings him over, and he tags in Knight. Knight fires hands on Tama, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight brings Tama around to whip but Tama reverses. Knight catches Tama for a SWINGING NECKBREAKER! Cover, ONE!! Tama is tougher than that but Knight stomps him.
Tag to Andrade and the unlikely partners mug Tama. Andrade CHOPS Tama, then has him in a corner. Andrade tags Apollo, they double whip Tama to DOUBLE ELBOW! Apollo covers, TWO! Tama stays in this but Apollo drags Tama up. Apollo ROCKS Tama, the fans rally, and Apollo ROCKS Tama again. Apollo tags Andrade back in, they mug Tama, but Tama fires body shots! Tama shoves Andrade but Andrade RANAS on the return! Tama tumbles out, Jacob runs in, but Andrade DUMPS him out! Tag to Apollo, and then Andrade climbs! Apollo builds speed, and Apollo FLIES while Andrade ARIHARA MOONSAULTS!
The fans fire up as Knight then gets in to keep Solo back! Knight dares Solo to try something, but Solo stays back. Knight goes back to his corner while Apollo puts Tama in. The fans fire up as Apollo reels Tama in. Tama fires body shots and switches to a waistlock. Apollo elbows free, but Jacob sneaks a tag! Tama shoves Apollo and Jacob BODY CHECKS Apollo! The Werewolf is all geeked up while SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again and Solo whips Apollo to ELBOW him down! Solo throws up the one but the fans boo. Solo drags Apollo up, bumps him off buckles, and the fans rally. Solo UPPERCUTS Apollo down, then stalks him along the ropes. Solo drags Apollo up but Apollo fires hands! Solo keeps Apollo from his corner but Apollo throws more shots! Solo whips Apollo hard into the Bloodline corner! Tag to Jacob and he looms over Apollo. Jacob drags Apollo up to scoop and SLAM! The fans boo but Jacob runs to SENTON, onto knees! Apollo saves himeslf and both men are down! They crawl, hot tag to Andrade!
El Idolo dodges Jacob, BLASTS Tama then ROCKS Solo! Andrade fires hands on Jacob, runs, then ducks ‘n’ dodges to FLYING FOREARM! Jacob tumbles to a corner while Andrade kips up! The fans fire up and chant “SI! SI! SI!” Andrade runs in, CIEN SHADOWES! Cover, TWO!! Jacob survives but Andrade keeps his cool. Andrade goes up a corner, MOONSAULT DOUBLE! Cover, TWO!! Andrade is frustrated now as Jacob survives again! Andrade thinks on what to do, and he brings Jacob up. Andrade fires forearms but Jacob grabs Andrade’s neck! Andrade fights free and fires more shots, but Solo sneaks a tag!
Andrade whips, Jacob reverses, but Andrade KICKS Jacob away! Jacob just roars! Andrade runs up, Jacob FLAPJACKS him into Solo’s HOTSHOT! That combo sends Andrade tumbling out to the floor, and Solo brings him up to POST him! The fans boo as The Bloodline stands tall, and Solo shows off his ula fala. Solo goes back to Andrade and puts him in the ring. Tag to Jacob, and Jacob whips for a POP-UP SAMOAN DROP! Andrade sputters and coughs while Jacob is geeked up again, and SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Jacob watches Andrade crawl to the apron, and waits for him to go to a corner. Andrade sits up but into the HIP ATTACK! Jacob snarls as he kicks Andrade around. Tag to Solo and he whips Jacob for Jacob to whip him! Another HIP ATTACK on Andrade! Solo scowls at the fans, then talks trash on Andrade. Solo drags Andrade by his foot and brings him over to tag Tama. Tama then slingshot ELBOW DROPS! Andrade sputters more but Tama covers, TWO! Andrade is still in this, but Tama rains down fists on Andrade to keep him down! Tama HAMMERS and CLUBS Andrade, then he talks smack on Apollo and Knight.
Tama kicks Andrade to the Bloodline corner, drags him back up, and then fires a BODY SHOT! Andrade sputters, Tama tags Jacob, and then Jacob whips Tama in for a STINGER SPLASH! Andrade falls over, Jacob clamps claws into the shoulders! Andrade endures, fights up, but Jacob HEADBUTTS him down! Jacob clamps the claws on again and really digs into Andrade’s shoulders! Andrade kicks and flails in pain but Jacob just thrashes him around more! Jacob shouts at Andrade but Andrade fights up to his feet! Andrade fires body shots, but Jacob HEADBUTTS him down again! Jacob stalks Andrade to a corner as SmackDown returns to single picture.
The fans boo but Jacob rains down fists in the corner! Jacob then sucker punches Apollo! Andrade sits up, Jacob runs in, but Andrade moves! Hip attack hits buckles and the fans fire up! Andrade and Jacob crawl, Solo shouts for Jacob to get up! Jacob grabs Andrade’s foot and brings him up! Andrade ENZIGIRIS free! Hot tags to Tama and The Mega Star! The fans are thunderous as Knight dodges then CLOBBERS Tama! Tama flounders to a corner, Knight stomps away on him, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” The ref counts, Knight stops at 4, but then he CLOBBERS Jacob! KNEE for Tama! Solo runs up to TOSS Knight!
Knight dodges Solo in the corner and hits a NECKBREAKER! The fans fire up even more and Knight tags Apollo. Knight hits Tama with the BIG back suplex! Apollo goes up top for the FROG SPLASH! Cover, TWO!! Tama survives but Apollo clamps on with a CROSSFACE! Knight WRECKS Jacob with a dropkick, and the Samoan Werewolf tumbles up and over the desk! Knight goes out to say that’s what Jacob gets, BUT SHINSUKE IS HERE!? Nakamura CLOBBERS Knight into the desk! The King of Strong Style gets away with that while the ref was busy checking Tama! Solo CLOBBERS Apollo, but Andrade whips Solo!
Solo reverses and ELBOWS Andrade! Solo drags Tama to their corner and then tags in. Solo aims at Apollo, HIP ATTACK! Solo hauls Apollo up, URENAGE! And then SAMOAN SPIKE!! Cover, Bloodline wins!!
Winners: The Bloodline, by pinfall
It seems Drew McIntyre isn’t the only one who is surprisingly on Solo’s side. The sinister samurai made sure to strike from the shadows to screw over Knight, will Knight make sure Nakamura comes to regret it? As for Solo, he is rolling towards the Raw Netflix debut, will he not need his Bloodline to retain the ula fala?
Backstage interview with Motor City Machine Guns.
Byron Saxton is with Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin ahead of the emotional grudge match. Shelley takes on his former friend, student, and the man who betrayed MCMG to take those WWE Tag Team Championships. That man is Johnny Gargano, so what thoughts are flowing through Shelley’s mind? Shelley says it is one thought: Payback. Sabin says they’ve known Gargano almost 20 YEARS, and only now does Gargano let the mask fall away to show us the truth. Shelley says it cuts a lot deeper when it’s someone you considered a little brother. Shelley tells Johnny that he makes sure Gargano knows he made the BIGGEST mistake of his life.
Sabin asks Shelley if he’s ready to do this. Shelley says this is something he has to do alone. He wants to see if Gargano is man enough to do the same. Sabin says okay, let’s get warmed up. Shelley wants a 1v1 shootout with Johnny Wrestling, but will Gargano do anything but do this himself?
SmackDown shares footage from after Saturday Night’s Main Event.
Byron Saxton was with Chelsea Green & Piper Niven and said before anything else, congratulations. Chelsea pats herself on the back, Piper pats Chelsea a bit, too, and Byron takes her back through the closing moments. Unpretty-Her on Michin, the bell rings, and we hear Lilian Garcia say the words, “AND NEW Women’s United States Champion, Chelsea Green.” What went through her mind? Chelsea takes out her gum and puts it in “Bryan’s” hand, and then tells him that she always knew this would happen. He might be surprised, and that’s so cute, but she wasn’t. She’s been doing this for ten YEARS, and worked her entire life to be an overnight success.
This is Chelsea’s time! Red, white and Green! Say it with her, Bryan! #RedWhiteAndGreen. So then, let’s talk the historical significance. Chelsea will now go down in the history books as the FIRST-EVER Women’s US Champion, so how does she’s now synonymous with the likes of Harley Race, the first-ever Men’s US Champion? She would say, “Duh.” She’s in the books where she belongs. Probably should’ve been three years ago, but she was released. It should’ve been way back in 2015, but she wasn’t hired. So now is the time. NOW IS THE FREAKIN’ TIME!! Yes, it is her time. What does a Chelsea Green reign look like going forward?
Chelsea says it looks like she’s going to Disneyland, so she’s got a plane to catch. Can they wrap this up? Of course. Have fun in Disneyland. Yes, well-deserved. Piper calls for champagne. Will we never hear the end of this now that Chelsea has gold to go with the ego?
Kevin Owens speaks.
“What happened after Saturday Night’s Main Event was not my fault. There’s a lot of people to blame for it. Cody Rhodes, the referees, Nick Aldis, WWE Management, they’re all to blame. I was screwed out of winning that championship. What happened to me is a travesty, a tragedy! I should be standing here Undisputed WWE Champion, but I’m not. But I took this (the Winged Eagle belt) because I deserve it. And I’m not giving it back until I get what i want. Everyone needs to understand, you can only push a man so much until they snap. But the good news is, I haven’t snapped yet.
“It can all get so much worse, trust me. You don’t want me to snap. So Cody, Nick Aldis, WWE officials, what happens next is on all of you.” The Prizefighter has said his piece, will he hold the championship hostage until his demands are met?
DIY talks backstage.
Ciampa gets it, Gargano’s known MCMG a long time. So it surprises Ciampa that Shelley is so dumb! He wants this grudge match but he can’t win the tag titles back in a singles match. So what’s he doing? Gargano says Shelley wants his payback, that’s obvious. But Shelley wants to challenge Gargano’s manhood?! Gargano is all man! He made a kid! Yeah, Papa John, Daddy Ciampa, of course they made kids. But Shelley did specify that he wants to do this on his own, so Ciampa knows what that means, right? Ciampa has to stay backstage, too. Gargano will handle business by himself. He’s not some naive 18-year-old kid with a dream anymore! Dream came true!
Gargano will go remind Shelley that he’s Johnny Freakin’ Wrestling! So Ciampa can just relax right back here. Ciampa says go get him! Ciampa won’t even move a muscle from here, you can trust him. Can he? Or is this all another facade to lower everyone’s guard?
It’s an all new Grayson Waller Effect!
A-Town Down Under is already in the ring, and fans boo as Austin Theory & Grayson Waller show off the abs. Waller then welcomes us to the Grayson Waller- And Austin Theory…! Effect. The hottest show keeps getting hotter cuz Waller gets scoop after scoop, lads. And tonight is a big scoop! A big, BIG scoop! The first transfer from Raw to SmackDown, it’s the Monster of All Monsters, BRAUN STROWMAN! The fans cheer as Braun makes his way to the ring, and he’s coming out as Santa Braun! Or perhaps, Strowman Claus? Either way, Braun throws free merchandise to the fans, what a gift for Christmas!
Braun empties the bag and then goes to the ring. Turns out, nothing for Waller & Theory! Waller sits behind the desk and thanks Braun for coming. And how nice of Braun to help all the poor here in Hartford. The fans boo and Braun asks if Waller’s really starting this like that. Is he really trying to piss Braun off already? No no no! Braun is right, it really is nice. And this is big! The biggest acquisition in SmackDown history! On the biggest talk show in WWE history! Braun says it doesn’t get any bigger than this, baby! The fans cheer and Waller says before we start, he knows how this goes, sometimes.
Waller just wants us to know that he invested a lot of money into the new set. Maybe we continue to spread Christmas cheer and have a civil conversation. No damage. Well, if Waller runs his mouth, then Braun can promise he’ll wear Waller out using all the stuff in here. Waller says he’s a bit surprised Braun agreed to this. If no one has said before, but Braun is a little intimidating. But the more Waller thought about it, the more it made sense. Even Braun sees the sense in associating with ATDU! The fans boo and Braun says he threw up a little bit in his mouth, and that get a good laugh.
Waller says okay, but SmackDown’s a bit scary right now. Bloodline is going wild, people are getting attacked backstage, and you don’t wanna be alone in the car park. Sorry, parking lot. Braun asks if Waller knows who he’s talking to. No, he didn’t mean anything by it. Waller just figures, it’d be a good idea if Braun looked after Braun for once. And that means setting up the ultimate alliance. Braun Strowman & A-Town Down Under as the same team! They’d be untouchable! The cunning and intelligence of Waller & Theory, Braun’s strength. Get it? Brains & Braun. Braun says he already told Waller to watch his mouth! Does Waller want his set shoved up his-
Wait! Carmelo Hayes makes his way out here! Braun sighs and Melo says no, no, no, cut this out. Melo has a bone to pick with Braun. Aldis thought he was going to humble Melo by setting him up against Braun. Everybody here knows that that wasn’t fair. But newsflash, Nick Aldis, you can’t humble greatness! Melo might lose, but he’ll never quit. So Braun, “you big ugly dumb Santa Claus b*tch,” let’s run this thing back right here, right now! Cuz now, Melo’s ready! Braun says if Melo didn’t learn his lesson last week, Braun will remind him what the Braun Strowman Effect is! Waller & Theory run away as Braun grabs the fake palm trees!
Braun CHUCKS trees at Melo but Melo just laughs. Will Melo not miss the game winner in this rematch? Or will Braun be the one to humble H1M?
Braun Strowman VS Carmelo Hayes!
SmackDown returns and the bell rings. Braun chuckles at Melo wanting to tie up. They do tie up but then Melo slips around to KICK the leg! Braun just brushes that off as he and Melo circle. Melo uses the ropes and even the ref as a shield so Braun backs off. Melo comes back, taunts Braun, then drops back to ropes. The ref wants Braun to let off, and Braun does, but then Melo sucker punches him! Melo talks smack, then whips, but Braun blocks! B raun shakes his head, whips Melo, but Melo ducks ‘n’ dodges ‘n’ slides out. Melo says safe! Melo says he’s smart, but then gets spooked as Braun storms up to ropes!
The ref has Braun stay back, and Melo gets cocky again. Braun signals to the fans that he’s taking a lap and the fans fire up. Braun goes outside, builds speed, but Melo runs! Melo slides into the ring, Braun gets on the apron, but Melo KICKS him! The fans boo but Melo hits the FADE AWAY! Braun flounders, Melo CLUBS and KNEES and repeat! Braun SHOVES Melo out of the ring! Braun shakes it off then storms back up on Melo. Braun YANKS Melo up by his hair! And then he TOSSES Melo across the way! The fans fire up and Braun drags Melo up again. Braun whips, Melo dropkicks the legs out! Braun falls, Melo runs, FADE AWAY, but into Braun’s hands!
Braun pops Melo up, but Melo SPIKE-RANAS! Braun sputters and Melo soaks up heat. Braun rises up like the monster he is! Melo turns around, Braun runs up, but Melo DUMPS Braun out! Melo BOOTS Braun away, then gets cocky again. Melo goes out the side and he runs up a la Braun. But Braun BOOTS Melo right down! The fans fire up and Braun looms over Melo. Braun drags Melo up, whips him at steps, but Melo goes up! Melo leaps, but into Braun’s arms! We’re at 7 of 10 as Melo slips free! Melo SLAPS Braun! Braun grabs Melo by the neck and TOSSES him into the ring! We’re at 10!! MELO WINS!
Winner: Carmelo Hayes, by count out
Talk about rope-a-dope! Melo steals this win by getting the better of Braun’s anger! Braun scowls at smart-aleck Melo, and he storms in! Melo runs out to the crowd and into the night, but Braun pursues! Will Melo #GetTheseHands one way or another?
Nia Jax and Candice LeRae talk backstage.
They’re both excited for the tag title match tonight, because Nia can become a double champion. Tiffany Stratton walks in and Nia says there she is! Tiff wishes them luck tonight, and cannot wait to be there ringside when the ref raises their hands. Nia gets a guilty look on her face and Candice tells Tiff that they were talking… It’s best if Tiff stays in the back. But hey, she can take some notes if she wants. And if she wants to help, she can prepare champagne, balloons and maybe even streamers. They’re gonna need all that after the big win. So Tiff should get on that while Candice & Nia strategize.
Tiff looks to Nia but Nia just says, “Thanks, Tiff.” Tiff leaves, Nia shrugs off the guilt and says she and Candice are ready. Candice is sure Tiff will have the most beautiful party ready for them. Will the Irresistible Force & Poison Pixie succeed in taking the tag titles for their own? Or will it be Bianca & Naomi having that champagne to celebrate?
Melo returns backstage.
And he’s on high alert knowing Braun is still hunting him down. Melo bumps into Legado Del Fantasma, and then Braun storms up! Braun asks where Melo went. Santos Escobar says screw that, he’s no snitch. Braun says not telling is gonna get Santos worse. Angel steps in and says Melo went that way. Braun thanks Angel and storms off after Melo. But then Pretty Deadly asks Braun to please read through their script. Braun slaps the script down and says he doesn’t care about their stupid musical! But then Melo SMACKS Braun with a chair! And SMACKS him again! Melo talks trash before heading out, but Braun gets back up.
Braun is angrier than ever, and he still hunts Melo down! Is there going to be nothing left of H1M after Braun #GetsTheseHands on him?
Johnny Gargano VS Alex Shelley!
Longtime friendships thrown away in order to get ahead is practically cliche in pro-wrestling, but to think Johnny Wrestling would be the kind to do that. Will Shelley make Gargano regret ever treating 20 YEARS like it was nothing?
The bell rings and Gargano runs up! Shelley dodges to fire hands, then he bumps Gargano off buckles. Shelley stomps a mudhole in, then stands Gargano up to dig his forearm in! The ref counts, Shelley lets off, then he climbs up to rain down fists! Gargano YANKS Shelley down! Shelley flounders, Gargano CHOPS Shelley to a corner, then he mocks the MCMG hand pointing. Gargano CHOPS Shelley, ROCKS him, then wrenches him to whip corner to corner. Gargano runs up but Shelley ELBOWS him away! Shelley goes up to FLYING KNEE! And then he CLOBBERS Gargano! The fans fire up as Shelley drags Gargano up.
Shelley wrenches, hammerlocks, but Gargano elbows free! Gargano brings Shelley around to schoolboy ROUNDHOUSE! Shelley sputters, Gargano brings him up, and Gargano says he’s no longer the student. Gargano ROCKS Shelley, stomps away, but stops as the ref counts. Gargano soaks up heat, then shakes out his left hand before he runs up. Shelley puts Gargano on the apron to HOTSHOT! Gargano falls, Shelley aims, and Shelley slingshots to stomp Gargano’s bad hand! Gargano staggers away, but runs back up on Shelley, only for Shelley to jump the sweep! SUPERKICK! Then FLYING KNEE!
The fans fire up while Gargano goes down, and Shelley says that’s what Gargano gets while SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Gargano has Shelley in a clinch. Gargano fires body shots, then he hits a JAWBREAKER! Gargano goes to a corner, Shelley runs up, but Gargano BOOTS back! Gargano runs up and slips around Shelley to SLINGBLADE BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Gargano is frustrated but he stalks Shelley to the apron. Gargano brings Shelley up, talks more smack, and he fireman’s carries. Shelley slips out but Gargano ROCKS him! SLINGSHOT- SUPERKICK! Shelley takes Gargano out of the air and both men are down! The fans rally up, and Shelley stands to CHOP! And CHOP! And CHOP again!
Shelley CHOPS, whips, then kitchen sink knees! And then PENALTY KICKS! Ghost pin, TWO! Gargano escapes, but Shelley wants the arm! Shelley uses the Garga- NO, Gargano turns chicken wing into roll up, TWO!! Shelley escapes, clinches, and spins Gargano, ASAI DDT! Cover, TWO! Shelley wants the arm again! The fans rally as Shelley drags Gargano up, wrenches and wristlocks, but Gargano ROCKS Shelley with forearms! Shelley CHOPS back, CHOPS again, and CHOPS again! Shelley wrenches to an ELBOW BREAKER! But Gargano ENZIGIRIS! Shelley runs up, Gargano dodges and SUPERKICKS!
Gargano scoops Shelley, takes aim at a corner, LAWN DART! Cover, TWO!! Shelley survives and the fans rally up! Gargano grows frustrated but he brings Shelley around. Gargano wants the arm now! GargaNO Escape, but Shelley says NO to that! They both fight up, end up in a corner, and the ref counts. Gargano lets off, to then ROCK Shelley with a cheap shot! Gargano runs up, but into a BUCKLE SHOT! Shelley shakes out the stars and he goes to the corner. The fans fire up as Shelley climbs, but Ciampa shows up! Gargano GAMANGIRIS Shelley down! But wait, here comes Sabin! Ciampa violated the deal first so Sabin’s not letting him do worse!
Gargano climbs up while Sabin chases Ciampa off, but Shelley SHOVES Gargano! CROSSBODY! Gargano rolls through, and pulls tights! Gargano wins!!
Winner: Johnny Gargano, by pinfall
Distraction tactic and pulling the tights? Gargano has no shame! But he and Ciampa have the WWE Tag Team Championships, so is that all that matters?
Backstage interview with Bianca Belair & Naomi.
Byron Saxton is at gorilla with The EST & The Glow, and before they head to the ring, he wants to recap the crazy couple of weeks. The mysterious attack on Jade Cargill, the big win at Survivor Series in WarGames, and now they can solidify themselves as WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions. Bianca says these past few weeks have been rough to say the least. And while you can trust Bianca will find out what happened to Jade, you best believe they won’t be stripped of the tag titles. That’s just what the culprit wants and Bianca isn’t going down without a fight. Thankfully, Bianca has a friend who always has her back.
Naomi says yeah, she’s got her back forever! And she can never turn down a good “snatch ‘n’ drag.” But she also knows how important these titles are to Bianca & Jade, and they’re just as important to her. Naomi will go out there and do everything she has to in order to keep the titles. Bianca holds out Jade’s belt to Naomi, but Naomi says no. Not until she’s earned it. Bianca says okay, and the music hits. Naomi is fired up, will this be the StrongEST Glow yet?
WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Bianca Belair & Naomi VS Nia Jax & Candice LeRae!
SmackDown returns as the Irresistible Force & Poison Pixie make their entrance together. The introductions are made, the tag titles are raised, and we see who is truly the strongest duo!
The teams sort out and Bianca starts against Candice. They tie up as the fans rally, and Bianca powers Candice right to a corner. But Candice pulls the braid! The ref reprimands, Candice shoves Bianca, then pie faces her! But Bianca SHOVES Candice to the corner! Bianca runs up but into an elbow! Candice goes up but Bianca ROCKS her! Bianca gorilla presses Candice but Candice scrambles free! Candice hurries away and she tags in Nia. Bianca says bring it and the fans rally for the “E S T! E S T!” Nia and Bianca tie up, Bianca headlocks, but Nia powers up and out. Tiff is watching backstage as Nia scoops Bianca, only for Bianca to slip free.
Bianca runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges and DROPKICKS! Nia rebounds but Bianca avoids the elbow drop! Bianca tags Naomi then sets Nia up! Naomi and Bianca both run the ropes, Bianca handsprings, SPLIT LEG DROP AND MOONSAULT COMBO! Naomi covers, TWO! Naomi hurries back after Nia but Nia shoves her away. Naomi slides under the lariat then mule kicks! Naomi runs but into a POP-UP HEADBUTT! Nia drags Naomi to a cover, TWO! Naomi stays in this for Bianca’s sake but Nia storms back up as SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Nia DRIBBLES Naomi off the mat, then stares Bianca down. Nia stalks Naomi to a corner, puts her on ropes, and CHOKES her! The ref counts, Nia lets off, and then Nia drags Naomi over to the corner. Nia traps Naomi while she tags Candice. Nia fires some elbows before backing off, and Candice RAMS Naomi! Candice ROCKS Naomi, sits her down, then stomps a mudhole in. Candice taunts Bianca, drags Naomi to a cover, TWO! Candice CLUBS Naomi down, then clamps on with a top wristlock. Naomi endures while Candice leans on the hold. Naomi fights up, arm-drags free, then hurries for her corner!
Candice scrambles after Naomi and THROWS her by her hair! Candice stomps Naomi to the corner, tags Nia, and Nia runs up to HIP ATTACK! Nia taunts Bianca, drags Naomi up, and clamps on with a cobra clutch! Nia leans on Naomi to grind her down. Naomi endures, fights up, and JAWBREAKERS free! Nia staggers around, but she scoops Naomi! Naomi slips free to the apron and HOTSHOTS Nia! Naomi BOOTS Candice. RAMS Nia, then reels Nia in for a HEATSEEKER! Naomi is down, but she BOOTS Nia away before heading for her corner. Candice hurries and tags in, but Naomi hot tags Bianca!
Bianca rallies on Candice with shoulder tackles and DROPKICK! Bianca kips up, wrenches, and suplexes Candice! SmackDown returns to single picture as Candice slips free! Candice dodges Bianca, Nia sneaks a tag, and Bianca scoops Candice for a GUT BUSTER! Bianca runs at the corner to RAM Candice, then she climbs up! The ref tries to explain but Nia runs up! Bianca backflips up and over! Nia almost squashes Candice, but she turns around. Bianca dodges Nia, but Candice hits a CODE BREAKER! SAMOAN DROP from Nia! Cover, TWO! Bianca survives and the fans fire up! Nia snarls as she drags Bianca into a motorcycle stretch!
Bianca endures and the fans rally up. Bianca fights up but Nia POSTS her first! Nia then mocks the fans with clapping, then she scuffs Bianca. Nia dares Bianca to tag, then she THROWS Bianca by the braid! Bianca goes to ropes, and Nia pulls the braid around them! The ref reprimands, Nia lets off, but Candice gets her shots in! The fans boo but Bianca gets away. Nia soaks up the heat and then brings Bianca around. Nia has the cobra clutch back on and she thrashes Bianca around. The fans rally as Bianca endures, and Bianca fights back up. Nia kicks Bianca but Bianca rebounds to reel Nia in!
Bianca tries to suplex but Nia’s too big! Nia shoves Bianca to the corner, but Bianca BOOTS back! Bianca ELBOWS Candice, runs up on Nia, but Nia picks her up! Nia RAMS Bianca into the corner! Tag to Candice and she climbs. Nia holds Bianca up, Candice MISSILE DROPKICKS Bianca into the SPINEBUSTER! Candice then BLASTS Bianca off the apron, then uses Nia as the step for the STEP-UP SENTON! Cover, TWO!! Bianca survives, she’s the toughEST for a reason! Candice is frustrated and she CLUBS away on Bianca! The fans rally for “E S T! E S T!” Bianca throws a body shot but Candice CLUBS her down again.
Candice tags Nia and Nia pulls the braid to keep Bianca back. Nia whips Bianca to Candice but Bianca slips around. Candice standing switches, Nia runs up, but Bianca ducks and Nia clips Candice! Bianca scrambles while Nia checks Candice, hot tag to Naomi! Naomi LARIATS Nia but Nia stays up! So Naomi UPPERCUTS Nia! Nia still stays up! Naomi dodges, goes up the ropes, FLYING CHUCK! Nia wobbles and the fans fire up with Naomi! Naomi reels Nia in but Nia whips her away! Naomi BOOTS from the corner, then goes up! FLYING FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Nia stays in this but Naomi pounds the mat.
The fans rally up, Naoim brings Nia up, but Nia HEADBUTTS her! Nia runs up at the corner, but Naomi dodges to POST her! Nia is down, Naomi goes up! SPLIT LEG MOONSAULT FLOPS as Nia moves! Nia CLUBS Naomi, puts her in the drop zone, then goes up! But Naomi SMACKS Nia off the post! Tag to Bianca, and Naomi gets under Nia?! POWERBOMB!! Naomi drags Nia into the drop zone! Bianca aims for the 450!! Cover, CANDICE BREAKS IT! The fans fire up, Nia is busted open from hitting that post, but here comes TIFFANY! Is she doing what it looks like? Tiff cheers on Candice & Nia, no cash-in yet.
Candice tags in, goes after Bianca, but Bianca RAMS Candice into the corner! Bianca runs but into a BOOT! Candice goes up, TORNADO DDT! Cover, Naomi GAMANGIRIS Candice! Fans cheer “CASH IT IN!” at Tiff but Bianca tags in Naomi. Nia sneaks a tag, and as the Naomi goes after Candice, the ref has to explain. In that distraction, Nia asks for the briefcase! Tiff is conflicted, but she hands it over. But then the ref sees Nia with it! Bianca HANDSPRING KICKS Nia off the apron! Nia falls right at Tiff’s feet! Bianca tags Naomi, then PLANCHAS onto Nia! Naomi has Candice but Candice cradles! TWO!! Naomi KNEES Candice down!
Naomi hurries up, up and SPLIT LEG MOONSAULT! Cover, NAOMI & BIANCA WIN!
Winners: Bianca Belair & Naomi, by pinfall (still WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions)
Tiff’s hesitation costs Nia, and that means Naomi has earned that title belt! Bianca personally hands it to her and the two celebrate together. Will they hold onto the titles all the way ’til Jade is back in action? Or will a team come along that outshines even the StrongEST Glow?
My Thoughts:
A great episode of SmackDown here, though I think it was also prerecorded. They were in Hartford last week, weren’t they? And I thought that was prerecorded given how Jimmy Uso’s promo was received… But speaking of, good stuff from Bloodline to open. McIntyre calling a true with Solo was a bit of a surprise, but I suppose we should’ve seen that coming with how McIntyre is a Heel and often a hypocrite. Jimmy going after McIntyre was also good stuff, he can clearly still be a factor even with a bad toe. Very good Six Man Tag, too, but I should’ve known Nakamura would interfere and cost Knight’s team. Good win for Solo, and we’ve still got a couple weeks before Raw on Netflix, so the go-home math will still sort out with the first SmackDown of 2025.
Very good promos from MCMG and DIY, and of course Ciampa still went out to ringside despite the “promise” he made. And of course Gargano cheated, but that adds heat to the coming tag title rematch. They might even put that on the first SmackDown of 2025 to hype it up. Especially as I think it’s going to be the first THREE HOUR SmackDown. NBC is willing to do that knowing Raw is going to Netflix, meaning SmackDown will get more time to do more great things, which works with all the belts we’ve got now.
Good stuff with Braun and the Grayson Waller Effect, but of course we set up more between Braun and Melo. Clever move for Melo to win by count out, and of course Melo gets cocky for it. Braun was almost classic Braun with how he shrugged the chair shots off backstage. We’ll of course get one more Braun VS Melo, and maybe someone from Legado or Pretty Deadly screws Braun over given how he treated them. Very good promo from Chelsea after her big win on Saturday, and I’m sure she’ll be celebrating this win in both kayfabe and real-life through the holidays, ready to start her first title feud on January 3rd.
Very good promo from Kevin Owens, but I feel like he had to contradict himself here from what he said during the Raw on Netflix “kickoff show” on Wednesday. Kevin said then that he’s going to act as the defending champion with the holiday house show tour, but he said here he isn’t the champion since he got screwed. Either way, he’ll really play up how he is somehow the victim in all this, making the return of Cody Rhodes all the better. We’ll surely get one last match of Cody VS Kevin, maybe with a big stipulation on it, and then we’ll have a moment of (more than likely) Cody holding up both Winged Eagle and corporate logo championships.
And of course, very good stuff in the two main Smackdown women’s stories. That promo from Nia, Candice and Tiff was really good because you kinda feel for Tiff being treated as the odd one out. And then very good promo right before the match with Bianca & Naomi. I like Naomi wanting to earn the belt, and we got a great tag match. Nia surely got busted open “hard way,” aka legitimately, that post surely has edges you gotta watch out for. But Tiff showing up was of course for the briefcase distraction, not cashing in. Tiff hasn’t been pushed that far yet, that might come with the Netflix debut. But Naomi & Bianca of course retained the titles, that’ll cue up Jade making a return to identify her attacker, and it might be Naomi after all…
My Score: 8.8/10
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