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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Will Bishamon have to tranquilo?
The IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions fought to a time limit draw last round, will Hirooki Goto & Yoshi-Hashi be able to #GetBackUp this round? Or will Yota Tsuji & Zandokan Jr. sink their ship?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Toru Yano & Tomohiro Ishii VS Yuto Nakashima & Oskar Leube; Yano & Ishii win.
- Six Man Tag: The United Empire VS The Gates of Agony & Boltin Oleg; The Gates of Agony & Oleg win.
- 8 Man Tag: Bullet Club War Dogs VS The House of Torture; The House of Torture wins.
- Six Man Tag: Master Wato, Shota Umino & Ren Narita VS TMDK; Wato, Shota & Narita win.
- 2023 World Tag League, B Block: El Phantasmo & Hikuleo VS Bad Luck Fale & Jack Bonza; ELP & Leo win.
- 2023 World Tag League, B Block: Taichi & Yuya Uemura VS Atlantis Jr. & Soberano Jr; Taichi & Yuya win.
- 2023 World Tag League, B Block: Yuji Nagata & Minoru Suzuki VS Lance Archer & Alex Zayne; Nagata & Suzuki win.
- 2023 World Tag League, B Block: Bishamon VS Yota Tsuji & Zandokan Jr; Bishamon wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Here are the current B Block standings.
Alex Zayne & Lance Archer: 4-0, 8 points
Taichi & Yuya Uemura: 3-1, 6 points
Atlantis Jr. y Soberano Jr: 2-1-1, 5 points
Yota Tsuji & Zandokan Jr: 2-2, 4 points
ELP & Hikuleo: 2-2, 4 points
Bishamon: 1-2-1, 3 points
Bad Luck Fale & Jack Bonza: 1-3, 2 points
Yuji Nagata & Minoru Suzuki: 0-4, 0 points
2023 World Tag League, B Block: El Phantasmo & Hikuleo w/ Jado VS Bad Luck Fale & Jack Bonza!
The Headbanga & Young Guerilla survived the murder grandpas but are still a long way from the front of the block. Though that’s a touch better than the Bullet Club’s Rogue Army, who only just got on the board! Will the NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions stay strong? Or will they end up on the bottom of the block?
Fans rally up as ELP builds up the energy to high five Leo! The teams sort out and ELP starts against the Red Commando, who mockingly builds up energy to salute the Rogue General. The bell rings, and the fans rally up while ELP swivels as he takes off his shirt. ELP and Bonza circle, tie up, and Bonza waistlocks. ELP switches, Bonza pries free to switch back and wrench to a wristlock. ELP rolls, trips Bonza, and then hooks up the legs to get Bonza in a BOW ‘N’ ARROW! Fans rally, Bonza pops free to a cover, ONE! Fans applaud as the two reset. Fans rally behind ELP but Bonza tells them to shut up. That only makes them chant harder!
ELP and Bonza reset, tie up, and Bonza headlocks. ELP throws body shots, powers out, but Bonza runs him over! Things keep moving, ELP avoids the elbow drop to hit an elbow drop, but Bonza makes it a ghost pin! TWO and ELP rolls Bonza up, TWO! ELP reels Bonza in, spins him but Bonza fights the backslide! ELP still gets the shoulders down, TWO! ELP stomps the hands! ELP knuckle locks, CHOPS, and goes up, up and jumps around, to FLYING RANA! Fans fire up and ELP handsprings to his feet. ELP CHOPS Bonza to the red corner, then CHOPS him again. Tag to Leo, and Leo hushes the crowd. But Bonza avoids the chop!
Bonza tags in Fale, and fans rally up as the big guys stare down. Leo offers a handshake, but Fale just pie faces Leo. So Leo fires forearms! Fale throws them back! ELP leads the fans in the “YAY! BOO!” as the two giants go back and forth! Leo gets the edge but Fale kicks a leg. Fale RAMS Leo, but Leo stays up! Fans rally up as they RAM again! Leo eggs Fale on, they RAM shoulders again! Leo then kicks low, and goes to scoop! But Fale’s so bulky! Leo gets Fale up!! But Bonza CHOP BLOCKS a leg and Leo falls back! Fale covers, TWO! Bonza drags Leo to the blue corner and Fale tags Bonza in. The Rogue Army mugs Leo in the corner!
Leo crawls, Bonza turns him over and keeps him from ELP. Bonza steps through, SPINNING TOEHOLD! Leo clutches the knee and Bonza talks some trash. SPINNING TOEHOLD! Bonza pie faces Leo, eggs him on, then mocks the heart hands. Leo CHOPS Bonza! Bonza kicks Leo down, stomps him around, then even springboard stomps him! Tag to Fale and Bonza rushes ELP. ELP avoids getting blasted off the apron, but Fale stays between ELP and Leo. Fale then stands on Leo as a surfboard! ELP CLUBS Fale, so Fale DECKS ELP! Fale tags Bonza, and Bonza CLUBS Leo down. Fans rally up but Bonza CLUBS Leo more.
Bonza drags Leo up, whips him to the corner, but Leo BLASTS Fale away! Leo then BOOTS Bonza, hurries for his corner, but Bonza dropkicks the legs out! Bonza snarls, backs ELP off, then he reels Leo in. Bonza finger guns and calls his shot, but Leo’s too big to bomb! Leo back drops Bonza away! Fans fire up while both men crawl, hot tag to ELP! ELP fires off on Bonza, whips him to ropes, but Bonza reverses. ELP ducks ‘n ‘dodges to CLOBBER Bonza! And kip up! Fans fire up as ELP atomic drops Bonza, then mocks his pain. Bonza swings, into another atomic drop! ELP hobbles, but he still hooks Bonza up, RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP!
ELP cartwheels to the corner, goes up and takes aim, FALLING AX HANDLE! Fans rally as ELP tunes up the band. SUDDEN- NO, Bonza blocks, then DISCUS LARIATS! Cover, TWO! Bonza is frustrated but he drags ELP up and calls another shot. Bonza suplexes, holds, but ELP kicks free to DDT! Fans fire up again as Bonza and ELP crawl. ELP drags Bonza from Fale, straitjacket and torture rack, then tag to Leo. Leo BLASTS Fale, BOOTS Bonza, into the BRAIN SALAD! Leo covers, TWO! Bonza survives being scrambled but the fans rally with E-Leo-P! They coordinate, tune up, and Bonza rises. But Fale CLOBBERS Leo!
Bonza ROCKS and KNEES ELP, into a GERMAN SUPLEX! Fale runs corner to corner to SPLASH Leo! And then fireman’s carry, SAMOAN DROP to MACHO ELBOW! Cover, ELP breaks it! Fans fire up but Fale kicks ELP. Fale drags ELP up but he fires forearms and CHOPS on the Rogue Army! ELP runs, but into double shoulders! Leo rises while ELP flounders out of the ring, and the Rogue Army mugs him at the ropes. The Rogue Army double whips, but Leo breaks the line to DOUBLE LARIAT! Only Bonza falls, but Leo roars as he SPLASHES Fale in a corner! Leo scoops?! AND SLAMS!! Fans fire up with Leo as the alpha giant!
Leo drags Bonza up, choke grip, but Bonza knees free! SUDDEN DEATH! Choke grip, and ELP DIVES onto Fale! Leo hits GODSEND!! Then ELP climbs onto Leo’s shoulders for the SUPER THUNDER KISS 86!! Cover, ELP & Leo win!
Winners: El Phantasmo & Hikuleo, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Rogue Army earns 0)
Just as Fale & Bonza were locked and loaded, they misfire and fall back down! Will they have to shift into spoiler mode in the tournament’s second half? As for the NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions, do they still have an outside shot at those WTL trophies?
2023 World Tag League, B Block: Taichi & Yuya Uemura VS Atlantis Jr. & Soberano Jr!
The Holy Emperor & Heat Storm took a loss to Monster Sauce, but they’re still near the front of the block! But the sons of lucha libre are right behind them! Will this match go a long way to determining B Block’s finalists?
The teams sort out and Soberano starts against Yuya. The fans rally up as Soberano offers a handshake. Yuya reaches out but then Soberano leaves him hanging. The two circle, tie up, and are in a deadlock. Yuya waistlocks, but Soberano wrenches out to wristlock. Soberano YANKS the arm, but Yuya rolls, wrenches, hammerlocks and he brings Soberano around. Soberano rolls, drop toeholds and then has the legs tied up to go after the arms. Soberano has a modified Queen Angelito but Yuya fights up. Soberano stands on Yuya’s shoulders for a modified motorcycle stretch, to then shift to a headlock.
Fans rally as Yuya fights up but Soberano grinds the hold. Yuya pries free, but Soberano pulls hair! The ref reprimands but Soberano snapmares Yuya. Yuya gets right up and the fans applaud. Yuya and Soberano reset, circle, and feel things out. They knuckle lock, but Soberano steps on an arm and double wristlocks the other. Soberano then spins Yuya, arm-drags him, but Yuya arm-drags back! Soberano sweeps and covers, ONE! Yuya hits a headlock takeover, but Soberano headscissors, so Yuya kips free. Both men stand back up and fans applaud the standoff. Soberano offers the handshake for real and Yuya takes it.
Fans applaud the sportsmanship as the two then back down, and they tag in Taichi and Atlantis. The KOPW Champion and NWA World Historic Light Heavyweight Champion RAM shoulders again and again! Then Atlantis runs to RAM Taichi! Taichi rebounds to BOOT! Atlantis rebounds to CHOP! Atlantis eggs Taichi on, so Taichi CHOPS back! Fans fire up as Taichi eggs Atlantis on, and he comes back to CHOP! Fans cheer more, and Taichi CHOPS again! Atlantis CHOPS, it’s a CHOP fight! They go back and forth faster and faster, but Taichi sputters. Atlantis eggs him on, so Taichi KICKS and KICKS!
Atlantis blocks a kick, dodges the forearm and RANAS! Fans fire up while Taichi goes to a corner. Atlantis runs in, but Taichi puts him on the apron. Atlantis counter punches then goes up top to CROSSBODY! Atlantis is right back up to run in, but Taichi BOOTS him! Atlantis returns but Taichi sends him into the corner for the GAMANGIRI! Yuya then runs in to BLAST Soberano! Fans rally up as Yuya coaches Taichi. Taichi and Atlantis rise, but Taichi brings Atlantis around to bump off buckles. Tag to Yuya and he CLUBS Atlantis down. Yuya whips Atlantis to ropes, DOUBLE CHOPS him down, then covers, TWO!
Fans rally as Yuya keeps cool. Yuya brings Atlantis around, snapmares and CLUBS him! Yuya then clamps onto an armlock and he grinds that taped shoulder down. Atlantis reaches out, but Yuya drags him from ropes to keep on that arm. Atlantis endures, Yuya floats to a cover, TWO! Yuya keeps on the arm with a double wristlock now but Atlantis continues to endure. Atlantis fights up, reaches out, ROPEBREAK! But Taichi tags in, and he CLUBS Atlantis on the back. Taichi snapmares Atlantis to KICK him in the back, and fans rally up. Taichi drags Atlantis around for Kawada Kicks, egging him on at the same time.
Atlantis stands right up to fire off forearms! Taichi kicks low and gives more Kawada Kicks! Atlantis sits up, and blocks the buzzsaw! He dodges the Ax Bomber to SUPERKICK! Both men are down and the fans rally back up! Atlantis crawls, hot tag to Soberano! Soberano goes up and CROSSBODIES Taichi down! Soberano then runs corner to corner, but into a BOOT! Taichi runs, Soberano dodges, goes up and over and dodges a boot to ENZIGURI! Fans fire up, and Yuya CLUBS Soberano. Yuya runs, but into a SOBAT! Step-up FAMOUSER! Soberano TOSSES Yuya, sidesteps Taichi, and SPIN POWERSLAMS!
Soberano sets Taichi in the middle of the ring to LIONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up as Taichi stays in this, and Soberano keeps his cool. Soberano stomps Taichi, drags him up, and fireman’s carries. Taichi fights free but Soberano kicks low again. Soberano talks some trash, runs but into a BOOT! Soberano comes back, but Taichi gest around, only for Soberano to fight the saido! Soberano whips, Taichi reverses and avoids the handspring to AX BOMBER! Both men are down and fans fire up again! Soberano and Taichi crawl for their corners, hot tag to Yuya and he stops Soberano! Yuya CHOPS but Soberano eggs him on!
Yuya CHOPS again, whips, but Soberano reverses. Yuya FLYING FOREARMS! And arm-drags! And DOUBLE CHOPS! Fans fire up with Yuya and he drags Soberano up again. Yuya whips to a corner, runs in and SPLASHES! Then BULLDOGS! Cover, TWO! Yuya looms over Soberano, stands him back up, and he traps the arms! But Soberano fights the suplex with knees! Yuya CHOPS, runs, but Soberano DROPKICKS him down! Fans fire up again as both men crawl! Yuya goes to a neutral corner, Soberano hot tags Atlantis! Atlantis runs to BLAST Taichi, then he runs to kick Yuya! Atlantis whips, Yuya reverses!
Atlantis dodges Yuya in the corner, and he SPIN POWERSLAMS! Cover, TWO! Yuya hangs in there but Atlantis stays focused. The fans rally up, Atlantis whips and Soberano joins in, TU LO SABE! Cover, Taichi breaks it! Soberano kicks Taichi out then goes out after him. Yuya goes back to a neutral corner and Atlantis storms over. Soberano dribbles Taichi off the apron as Atlantis stands Yuya up and scoops. Yuya fights free, and he CHOPS! Taichi sends Soberano into railing! Atlantis CHOPS Yuya! Yuya CHOPS Atlantis! They go CHOP for CHOP, the fans rally up, and Yuya sputters. But he dodges to waistlock!
Yuya sends Atlantis into Taichi’s RIDGEHAND! Yuya CHOPS again! Taichi SOBATS! Yuya BULLDOGS! Cover, TWO! Atlantis survives the assault and fans rally up. Yuya fires up and he climbs a corner! CROSS- NO, Atlantis moves and Yuya has to roll through! But then Soberano CROSSBODIES! Taichi storms in to kick Soberano, but Atlantis scoops to BACKBREAKER! Taichi bails back out and Soberano builds speed! FOSBURY FLOP! Direct hit and fans fire up! Atlantis scoops Yuya, MICHINOKU DRIVER! Atlantis hurries up top, FROG SPLASH! Cover, TWO!! Yuya survives and Atlantis is furious!
The fans fire up for Yuya but Atlantis refocuses. Atlantis vows to end this and he drags Yuya back up. Atlantis whips, Yuya holds ropes to BOOT back! Atlantis scoops Yuya and then gut wrenches, but Yuya RANAS free! Atlantis stands, into an arm-drag! Ghost pin, and Taichi keeps Soberano out! JUST5GUYS WIN!
Winners: Taichi & Yuya Uemura, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Atlantis & Soberano earn 0)
Taichi is so proud of Yuya! Not only did he win this for the team, he just pinned the NWA World Historic Light Heavyweight Champion! Too bad he’s just outside the weight requirements to challenge for that belt. But that aside, will this help Yuya & Taichi secure a shot at the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions?
2023 World Tag League, B Block: Yuji Nagata & Minoru Suzuki VS Lance Archer & Alex Zayne!
In a shocking twist, Blue Justice & The Meanest Man in the World are 0-4 this deep into World Tag League! But will Nagata & Suzuki finally make it work at the halfway point? Or will Monster Sauce continue their hot streak and be the only 5-0 team in the entire tournament?
Surprisingly, the Murderhawk Monster doesn’t maul Young Lions at ringside. But perhaps that is because he is saving all his energy for Suzuki. As such, he doesn’t even budge as Suzuki steps into the ring for “KAZE NI NARE~!” The former boss and subordinate stare down, so Nagata and Zayne let them start. The fans cheer as Archer brings out a Suzuki-Gun shirt! Archer then throws the shirt aside as he tells Suzuki, “Tonight, we fight. So you better bring it our I’m gonna knock your teeth out! Let’s go, Suzuki!” The bell rings and the fans fire up with Archer! Suzuki ROCKS him with a forearm already!
Suzuki eggs Archer on, and Archer grins as he comes back. Archer ROCKS Suzuki right back! Suzuki staggers, stays standing, and he also grins! Archer laughs, he and Suzuki start trading forearms! The fans fire up as the shots keep going! Suzuki gets the edge, then BOOTS! Archer wobbles but he BOOTS right back! Down goes Suzuki! Fans cheer, Suzuki stands up, and Nagata tags himself in. Zayne also tags in, and now fans rally as these two circle. They tie up, Zayne waistlocks but Nagata wrenches to a wristlock. Zayne spins, wrenches, wrangles Nagata, but Nagata kicks him away. The fans cheer as the two reset.
Nagata and Zayne tie up, Zayne headlocks, but Nagata throws body shots. Nagata powers out but Zayne runs him over! Things speed up, Zayne IMPLODER KNEE DROPS onto Nagata’s dropdown! Then he STANDING MARIPOSAS! Fans fire up and Zayne drags Nagata up. Zayne puts Nagata in a corner, tags to Archer, and he taunts Suzuki with “You Suck!” Suzuki says shut up, but Archer stomps away on Nagata. Red Shoes counts, Archer lets off and says Suzuki’s next. Suzuki says to still shut up, but Archer snapmares Nagata. Archer continues to taunt Suzuki then he CLUBS away on Nagata’s chest! Cover, TWO!
Archer is mad at Red Shoes, and Suzuki steps in just to flip Archer off. Archer tags Zayne, and scoops him to SLAM him onto Nagata! Cover, TWO! Zayne stays between Nagata and Suzuki, then bumps Nagata off buckles. Zayne ELBOWS Nagata, tags Archer, and Archer CHOPS Nagata! Nagata eggs him on so Archer CHOPS again! Even Zayne felt that one. Nagata still eggs Archer on, but Archer eggs Nagata on, so Nagata fires forearms! Archer knees low, whips Nagata to a corner, then runs in, but Nagata BOOTS him! Nagata fakes the dropkick high to dropkick low! Archer hobbles, Nagata tags in Suzuki!
Fans rally up as Suzuki fires forearms on Archer. Suzuki backs Archer down, but Archer tells him to hit harder! Suzuki fires off even more shots and he sits Archer down in a corner! Suzuki growls and the fans fire up. Suzuki knees low, whips corner to corner, then runs in to BOOT! Suzuki cravats but Archer fights the snapmare. Archer whips Suzuki to a corner, ELBOWS him, “Ichi!” Archer keeps moving to ELBOW again! “NI!” Archer keeps going, “SAN!” Hattrick achieved, and then a KNEE DROP! Cover, TWO! Archer ROCKS Suzuki, puts him on the top rope, and then lifts with the inverted crucifix!
But Suzuki fights free! Archer choke grips, but Suzuki breaks free to ROCK Archer! Archer ROCKS Suzuki! Suzuki laughs as they trade forearms back and forth again! Fans rally up, Suzuki keeps laughing, but both men ROCK the other! Fans fire up as Archer and Suzuki stand back up! They egg each other on, and the forearms fly again! They go back and forth, faster and faster! Archer wobbles, Suzuki taunts him, but then the forearms start up again! Suzuki gets the edge but Archer ROCKS him! Suzuki rises right up to ROCK Archer! Both men fall over and the fans are thunderous! Suzuki and Archer crawl, hot tags to Zayne and Nagata!
Now Zayne and Nagata trade forearms! Nagata ROCKS Zayne, KICKS him, and KICKS him! And KICKS again! Zayne ends up in a corner, Nagata fires up and whips corner to corner. BOOT! Zayne fights the clinch, suplexes, but Nagata fights that. Nagata suplexes Zayne, for MAGIC SCREW! And then an EXPLODER! Cover, TWO! But into CROSSFACE! Suzuki intercepts Archer into a SLEEPER! Monster Sauce endures stereo submissions! The fans rally, Suzuki keeps adjusting his grip, but Archer fights up! Archer storms over to BOOT Nagata, then he RAMS Suzuki into buckles! Zayne gets the boost, HIP TOSS CANNONBALL!
Archer ELBOWS Nagata down, then Zayne runs in, tilt-o-whirl RANA CANNONBALL for Archer! Fans fire up as Archer gets Zayne, CHOKE SLAM SAULT! SENTON! Cover, TWO!! Nagata survives but Archer BLASTS Suzuki back down! Zayne goes up and gets as lift from Archer, but Suzuki stops the Blackout Swanton! Suzuki DECKS Zayne, Archer knees Suzuki and TOSSES him! But Suzuki gets Archer’s legs! APRON KNEEBAR! Archer endures, Nagata cradles but Zayne smothers it into his own cover, TWO!! Nagata is free again, but Zayne kicks low. Zayne straitjackets but Nagata fights free!
Zayne fires boxing elbows, back elbow, mule kick, only to run into a WHEEL KCIK! SAIDO BRIDGE! MURDER GRANDPAS WIN!!
Winners: Yuji Nagata & Minoru Suzuki, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Monster Sauce earns 0)
The top team finally falls, and it was to the two most grizzled and experienced men in the whole tournament! Suzuki tells Archer & Zayne to still take this thing, and they fist bump as the old Suzuki-Gun theme plays. Will Monster Sauce still burn B Block and head for those trophies?
2023 World Tag League, B Block: Bishamon VS Yota Tsuji & Zandokan Jr!
Hirooki Goto & Yoshi-Hashi have been struggling, but they always #GetBackUp. Will they be able to #TurnItAllAround and make the threepeat a reality? Or will Gene Blast & The King of the World make the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions tranquilo?
The teams sort out and Tsuji calls out Hashi. Fans cheer as Hashi accepts, and the bell rings. Hashi and Tsuji circle, the fans rally up, and the two tie up. Hashi headlocks and grinds the hold, but Tsuji fights up with body shots. Tsuji powers out but Hashi RAMS shoulders with him! Tsuji dares Hashi to bring it, so Hashi runs. But Tsuji follows to then RANA! Fans cheer and Tsuji smiles. Tsuji stomps Hashi, drags him up at the ropes, and CHOPS! Hashi staggers but Tsuji is on him to whip to ropes. Hashi holds ropes, Goto tags in, Bishamon double shoulder tackles Tsuji down! Hashi runs for Goto to hip toss, ZANMAI!
Zando runs in but Bishamon kicks him first. They then HAMMER away on Zando’s back! The fans fire up while Goto & Hashi flex. Zando bails out and Goto stomps Tsuji. Goto drags Tsuji up, CLUBS him, fireman’s carries, but Tsuji fights with elbows. Goto ROCKS Tsuji, runs, but Zando trips him and Tsuji basement dropkicks! Tsuji BLASTS Hashi, Zando drags Goto out to throw him into railing! Tsuji goes out after Hashi, drags him up, and we hear Zando send Goto into more railing. Tsuji whips Hashi into railing, too! Fans rally up, Zando gets a chair and he SMACKS Goto with it! It wasn’t even a folding chair, it was a spare chair from the crowd!
Red Shoes reprimands, Zando puts Goto in for Tsuji, but Red Shoes won’t count the cover with all the shenanigans. Tsuji stomps Goto, tags Zando, and they double whip Goto to POP-UP KICK! And then DOUBLE BASEMENT DROPKICK! Zando covers, TWO! Hashi gets up but Zando boots him off the apron. Zando snapmares Goto into a chinlock, but he also fishhooks the mouth! Red Shoes reprimands, Zando lets off to tag Tsuji, and they set Goto up on the ropes. Fans rally but Hashi is in Tsuji’s way. Red Shoes reprimands and Hashi moves so Tsuji can run and LEAP FROG ATTACK! Goto falls and fans fire up.
Zando BLASTS Hashi, Tsuji covers Goto, TWO! Tsuji still smiles and he drags Goto up. Goto CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! But Tsuji knees low! Tsuji whips but Goto reverses. Goto runs in but Tsuji BOOTS him away! Tsuji runs, but Goto follows to LARIAT! Fans fire up while both men are down! Goto crawls, hot tag to Hashi! Hashi runs up to run Tsuji over, then he BLASTS Zando! Tsuji kicks back, whips Hashi to a corner, but Hashi returns to CHOP! Fans fire up as Hashi mule kicks then turns Tsuji, but Tsuji fights the neckbreaker. Hashi dodges the lariat to hit the BLOCKBUSTER! Fans fire up with Hashi as Tsuji goes to a corner.
Hashi runs corner to corner to clothesline, then he reels Tsuji in for the NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up and Hashi looms over Tsuji. Hashi drags Tsuji up, reels him in, but Tsuji blocks the suplex! Hashi keeps trying, the fans rally, and Tsuji hoists Hashi up! Hashi fights that, tries again, but Tsuji slips free. Hashi elbows Tsuji, runs, but into a BOOT! Fans fire up and Goto coaches Hashi. Hashi and Tsuji both crawl, hot tag to Goto! Goto KICKS Tsuji down then BLASTS Zando! Goto drags Tsuji up, fires off forearms, then whips Tsuji corner to corner. Goto runs, blocks a boot but Tsuji DOUBLE STOMPS him down!
Tsuji calls to Zando, hurries over, and fans fire up for the hot tag! Zando storms up on Goto, but Goto fires off CHOP after CHOP! Zando winds up to CHOP back! Fans fire up while Goto is stinging. Zando BLASTS Hashi, then he and Tsuji get Goto up. They double whip, double hip toss and cradle, for a DOUBLE SLAM! Tsuji SPLASHES, Zando goes up the ropes to LIONSAULT! Zando just makes it, then covers, TWO! Fans rally up while Tsuji paces around. Zando drags Goto up, he and Tsuji hook Goto up but Hashi saves Goto from the Anchor! Hashi fires forearms, Tsuji kicks low and whips Hashi to a corner.
Tsuji sends Zando in but Hashi dodges to then LARIAT Tsuji! Zando UPPERCUTS Hashi! Goto runs in but Zando kicks and runs. But Goto fireman’s carries! USHIGOROSHI! Fans fire up while all four men are down! Goto roars and rises, and he drags Zando up. Goto reels Zando in, dragon sleepers, but Zando drops to victory roll! TWO!! Goto escapes, hurries to a corner, and Zando runs in to clothesline! And then he undoes the wrist tape so he can run in again, and CHOP! Fans fire up and Zando says “UNO MAS!” Zando runs but Goto follows to MURAMASA! And then SAIDO! Both men are down again and the fans rally back up.
Goto crawls, hot tag to Hashi! Hashi runs to BLAST Tsuji, then he goes back for Zando. Hashi runs, but Zando BOOTS! Hashi spins through to CHOP! Zando staggers, roars, and CHOPS in return! Zando fireman’s carries, but Hashi fights free and feeds him to Goto’s forearm! Mule kick and then the clinch, GOTO GO TO HUNTER! Cover, Tsuji breaks it! Goto tosses Tsuji, and Bishamon coordinates. Goto goes up a corner, but Tsuji GAMANGIRIS him down! Zando TOSSES Hashi, and fans fire up as the amigos coordinate. Zando DIVES onto Goto, Tsuji CROSSBODIES Hashi and Young Lion Boltin Oleg!
Fans fire up as Tsuji & Zando rise! Tsuji drags Hashi up, he and Zando get him in the ring. Tsuji & Zando stand Hashi up, hook him up, ANCHOR!! Zando covers, TWO!! Hashi survives but Tsuji is already at the corner. Tsuji climbs, he stands on Zando’s shoulders, VAMOS FLOP as Hashi moves! Goto TOSSES Tsuji, and he LARIATS Zando! Zando stays up to LARIAT back! GOto drops to a knee, Zando runs again, but Goto SWATS the lariat! Goto suplexes, Zando slips free, but Goto puts him in the corner! Hashi runs in to clothesline! Tsuji runs in, but into the FIERCE FLASH! Goto clotheslines Zando, Hashi clotheslines, too!
Hashi hoists Zando up, Goto climbs, BULLDOG FLAPJACK COMBO! The fans fire up with Bishamon as they hoist Zando up and call their shot! Dragon sleeper and leg lift, SHOTO!!! Cover, BISHAMON WINS!
Winners: Bishamon, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Tsuji & Zando earn 0)
The IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions shine through as they turn the lights out on LIJ! Will Tsuji & Zando be able to stay afloat in WTL’s second half?
As for Bishamon, Hashi gets the mic first to say, “Oi, Tsuji! How was Bishamon? Was it sweet? Was it spicy? Or maybe salty?” Tsuji walks back to the ring and Hashi lets him have the mic. Tsuji says, “Now that I’ve faced Bishamon, I’ve learned… that you guys are amazing.” Fans cheer that! But Tsuji also knows Bishamon can’t stay like this. He’s sure they’ll make it back to the WTL finals. Tsuij then sends the mic back as he takes his leave, and Hashi thanks him.
Hashi continues to say that he can’t be sure if WTL can get more exciting, but if the fans aren’t already excited, then there’s no way that’ll change. But this win here gets Bishamon one step closer to that threepeat. Hashi brings up the supposed curse that keeps the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions from winning WTL. But he vows that “Gocchan and I will definitely break the curse.” Fans cheer that! Hashi continues to say that as IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions, Bishamon will win WTL for a third time in a row, and they’ll do it… IN A FLASH! The Fierce Warrior & Headhunter still have life, but will they have those trophies three years running?
Here are the NEW B Block standings!
Alex Zayne & Lance Archer: 4-1, 8 points
Taichi & Yuya Uemura: 4-1, 8 points
ELP & Hikuleo: 3-2, 6 points
Bishamon: 2-2-1, 5 points
Atlantis Jr. y Soberano Jr: 2-2-1, 5 points
Yota Tsuji & Zandokan Jr: 2-3, 4 points
Yuji Nagata & Minoru Suzuki: 1-4, 2 points
Bad Luck Fale & Jack Bonza: 1-4, 2 points
My Thoughts:
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AEW Coverage
Mitchell’s AEW Collision Results & Report! (12/2/23)
The American Dragon is back in action!
Bryan Danielson and Andrade El Idolo finally start in the Blue League!
As the AEW Continental Classic’s second round continues, Bryan Danielson and Andrade El Idolo finally have their first taste of action! Will the American Dragon and Face of Latino Wrestling both get points tonight?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- AEW Continental Classic, Blue League: Claudio Castagnoli VS Brody King; Brody wins.
- Abadon VS Kiera Hogan; Abadon wins.
- AEW Continental Classic, Blue League: Andrade El Idolo VS Daniel Garcia; Andrade wins.
- The Kingdom w/ Roderick Strong VS The Iron Savages w/ Jacked Jameson; The Kingdom wins.
- Malakai Black & Buddy Matthews VS Christopher Daniels & Matt Sydal; The House of Black win.
- El Hijo Del Vikingo VS Kip Sabian; Vikingo wins.
- AEW Continental Classic, Blue League: Bryan Danielson VS Eddie Kingston; Bryan wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Brody King speaks.
“Tonight on Collision, in Erie, PA, Blue League round two against Claudio. I’m here to prove why I’m not just an upset win, and I’m the most dominant wrestler in this tournament. HARU!”
Claudio Castagnoli speaks.
“Time for talking is over. Swiss to C2, tonight I’m going to take a King’s head.”
CJ Perry & Andrade El Idolo speak.
The Coldest Manager in the Game says tonight, her client will take down Daniel Garcia again tonight, and take home that fat check. And his name is Andrade The Idol. No, no, es El Idolo. And everyone knows who he is, but Garcia, see you tonight.
Daniel Garcia speaks.
“Andrade, you wanna know what really, really makes me mad? It’s when someone likes you comes in here and thinks they can step all over people like me. Well I’m not having it anymore. Tonight, I fight back. And if I needed any more motivation to win other than getting those three points, it’s putting somebody like you in his place.”
Bryan Danielson speaks.
“Eddie Kingston, tonight, it’s you and me in the Continental Classic. And do y’know what? I don’t want depressed Eddie Kingston. I don’t want Eddie Kingston who feels bad about himself because he lost his first round match. I want the Eddie Kingston that won the ROH World title. I want the Eddie Kingston who’s confident enough to put in BOTH his titles in this tournament! Eddie Kingston, I want the best version of you because if you don’t bring it, you’re gonna get hurt.”
Eddie Kingston speaks.
“Look, guys, I know we gotta do this cold open thing. It’s the cool thing to do on Collision. I don’t have time. I gotta go get ready, I’m 0-1 in this tournament already, I do NOT wanna go 0-2. Bryan, I do respect you, sort of, so I don’t care about your eye, I don’t care about your arm, I don’t care about anything about you. All I care about is winning. So guess what? I’m gonna bust you up.”
AEW Continental Classic, Blue League: Claudio Castagnoli VS Brody King!
The Swiss Superman is ready for his Collision with the King of Death! But with both men at 1-0, who, if either of them, moves on to be Blue League’s only 2-0 leader?
The bell rings, 20 minutes is ticking down, but Claudio and Brody run in to RAM shoulders! Claudio BOOTS, Brody BOOTS, and Claudio fires a forearm! Brody forearms back, fans fire up as the shots keep going! They pick up speed with those forearms, Brody CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS! Then he LARIATS! Claudio stays up!? Claudio seethes and fans fire up as he comes back to CHOP! CHOP! And CHOP! Claudio LARIATS, but Brody stays up! Brody LARIATS, Claudio LARIATS, repeat! Claudio rebounds, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Neither falls, they DOUBLE LARIAT again, and again, then Claudio dodges! DOUBLE LARIATS finally take both men down!
Fans fire up as Brody and Claudio roll out opposite ends of the ring. Claudio and Brody stand back up, the ring count climbs, but both men storm up around the way to DOUBLE LARAIT! And DOUBLE LARIAT! The count is 9, both men slide in at 9.9!! Fans fire up as Brody and Claudio start throwing forearms again! Brody gets the edge, runs, and he BOOTS Claudio down! Brody then scoops Claudio but Claudio slips free to BOOT! Claudio scoops, to SLAM Brody! Fans fire up, Brody staggers back up and Claudio runs, to clothesline Brody up and out! Fans fire up, Claudio goes out and he runs in around the way, UPPERCUT!
Fans fire up more and Claudio drags Brody up. Claudio whips Brody hard into railing, but Brody comes back to CLOBBER Claudio! Fans fire up as Brody peels the bumpers off the railing, then he throws forearms with Claudio. Brody knees low, whips, and Claudio hits railing hard! Claudio tumbles up and over and Collision goes picture in picture.
Brody catches his breath, storms over to where Claudio is, and drags him up. Fans fire up as Brody suplexes Claudio to the floor! Both men writhe, but Brody storms up on Claudio to stand him up. Brody CHOPS and Claudio sputters! Brody CHOPS again! Claudio staggers back, Brody whips him hard into the apron! Brody CLUBS Claudio, stalks him as he hobbles, then POSTS Claudio! Claudio staggers and falls over, and Brody refreshes the ring count. Brody storms back up on Claudio, ROCKS him, then puts him in the ring. Brody CHOPS Claudio again, ROCKS him to a corner, then ROCKS him again.
Claudio goes to another corner but Brody CLUBS him! And CHOPS him! Claudio UPPERCUTS! Brody CHOPS! Repeat! Brody gets the edge as he ROCKS Claudio again, then CHOPS him down! Claudio leans against ropes as he coughs and gasps for air. Brody clamps on with a chinlock, digs his forearm cast into Claudio’s face, and Collision returns to single picture. Claudio endures, pries the hold open, and he stands to wrench the arm, for an ELBOW BREAKER! The forearms fly again, Claudio runs but Brody scoops to SLAM! And then SENTON! Fans rally up while Claudio crawls to a corner.
Brody runs in to SPLASH at the corner! The fans bark and hoot with Brody, but Claudio UPPERCUTS him in the corner! Claudio fires UPPERCUT after UPPERCUT from all sides! Then he jukes the ref to UPPERCUT again! Claudio fires more shots, roars, and takes a moment to steady himself. Claudio whips but Brody blocks, so Claudio UPPERCUTS again! Claudio whips, Brody reverses and runs in to SPLASH! Then fireman’s carry, but Claudio fights free to UPPERCUT the back! Claudio trips Brody, but Brody kicks him away! Claudio comes back to DOUBLE STOMP! Cover, TWO! Brody survives but Claudio keeps his cool.
Claudio drags Brody up, but Brody fights the fireman’s carry. Brody ROCKS Claudio, CHOPS him, then runs, into a POP-UP UPPERCUT!! Cover, TWO!! Brody survives but the fans fire up behind Claudio as he stands. Claudio gets the legs, to SWING Brody!! Claudio goes around and around, and fans count all the way to TEN! Then the SHARPSHOOTER!! Fans fire up while Claudio sits deep! Brody endures, claws at the mat, fights around, and he reaches out! But Claudio grabs that bad arm to hold it back! Brody still fights forward, ROPEBREAK! Claudio lets go in frustration while Brody crawls to a corner.
Claudio waits on Brody to stand, then runs in, but Brody dodges! Claudio POSTS himself, then Brody GERMAN SUPLEXES him away! Brody runs in to CANNONBALL! Brody drags Claudio to a cover, ONE?!? Fans are stunned and so is Brody! Brody ROCKS Claudio, reels him in, but Claudio slips free of the bomb to fireman’s carry! DEATH VALLEY DRIVER!! Cover, ONE?!? Brody survives and Claudio is shocked! “This is Awesome!” and Claudio drags Brody up and reels him in. Claudio Gotch Lifts but Brody back drops free! Claudio lands on his feet! Springboard- HAYMAKER!! STUFF PILEDRIVER!! Cover, TWO?!?
Fans are thunderous as Brody hurries to get Claudio up. LARIAT!! Cover, Brody wins!!
Winner: Brody King, by pinfall (gains 3 points; Claudio earns 0)
That deadly right arm brings down the Swiss Superman, and Brody has six points! Is the Blue League soon going to belong to the House of Black?
Jon Moxley speaks.
“If it turns out that entering this Continental Classic tournament was a bad idea, I won’t find out ’til it’s too late. I’m banged up. Maybe the last four years is finally catching with me, because nobody’s done it anywhere in the world like I do it the last four years. My head hurts, my neck hurts, my back hurts, now my knee hurts. Getting that tingly-ness in my fingers now all the time. I live in pain on a day to day basis like most people couldn’t even imagine. Now on top of that, my head’s not screwed on straight all the time lately. The doctors are prescribing me this medication, that medication.
“And I’m just sick of it all. I’m sick and tired of being sick and tired. I’m sick and tired of being pissed off at my body failing me, I’m sick and tired of being depressed, I’m being sick and tired about being pissed about the entire last year. I’m sick and tired of being pissed off. So I’m gonna do the only thing I know how to do, the only thing I’m good at: I’m gonna wrestle my way out of it. I’m gonna fight my way out of it. I’m gonna put every ounce, every drop of sweat and effort and will I have into winning this Continental Classic tournament.
“This kind of thing, this is what AEW was built on, man. Two guys in the ring, the best wrestlers in the world, giving it their all, feeling that feeling when you’ve given every ounce of yourself in the ring, and pushing the limits, and pushing the boundaries, and making people stand up and go ‘Oh my God!’ What’d I just see?’ Feeling that connection with an audience that loves wrestling as much as we do. That is what AEW is about. Somebody’s gotta step up and win this tournament, and show the world exactly what AEW is, exactly what All Elite Wrestling can be! And that’s just gonna have to be me.
“Because anybody can say what they want but I’m the Ace of the World, b*tch, and that’s just the way it is. And there is nobody in this tournament that can do anything to me worse than what I deal with on a daily basis. Nothing they can do to me that’s worse than fighting the demons that I fight on a daily basis. If you think I’m shot, if you think my trigger’s been pulled, if you think I’m ripe for the picking, please, please, take your shot.” The Maniac is going to go until he can’t go any more, will El Toro Blanco look to take that shot this Wednesday?
Abadon VS Kiera Hogan!
With title chases never stopping, the Undead Girl and the Hottest Flame are fighting to get ahead. Who wins here to move up in the rankings towards the champions of AEW?
The bell rings, Kiera is wary of Abadon, and the two circle. Abadon corners Kiera, run sin, but Kiera dodges. Kiera SHOTGUNS Abadon down and fans fire up! Kiera runs in but Abadon sends her into buckles! Abadon fires off clothesline after clothesline, but lets off as the ref counts. Abadon runs in but Kiera avoids the boot to then KICK the legs out! Kiera runs, and she HIP ATTACKS Abadon against ropes! Kiera then snapmares, Abadon ducks the buzzsaw but not the SUPERKICK! Kiera runs Around the World to BOOT WASH! Cover, TWO! Kiera keeps cool as she runs again, but Abadon catches her for a SCRAPBUSTER!
Abadon roars and the fans fire up! Abadon runs in to SPLASH Kiera in a corner, then whips. Kiera reverse, Abadon slips out and then ROCKS Kiera! HEADSHOT CUTTER! Cover, TWO! Kiera is still in this but Abadon mocks the peace fingers. Abadon stalks Kiera, has her in the ropes, and mocks that pretty face. Abadon licks Kiera, YANKS her off the ropes, and then storms around. Abadon kicks, Kiera ducks and rolls her up, TWO! Kiera SOBATS, ROUNDHOUSES, then reels her in! NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Abadon survives and Kiera is frustrated. Kiera pounds the mat, the fans rally up behind her, and she stalks Abadon.
Kiera fires forearms, says to stay down and she SLAPS! Abadon SCORPION KICKS, then runs to KNEE Kiera down! Abadon drags Kiera up, hammerlocks, BLACK DAHLIA!! Cover, Abadon wins!
Winner: Abadon, by pinfall
Like the Nightmare Before Christmas, Abadon is bringing the scary to the merry season! But will Abadon earn a championship match as a Christmas gift to herself?
Wait! The lights go out! And when the lights come back, JULIA HART is here! Abadon turns around to see her, and the TBS Champion smiles. The lights go out again, and when they come back again, Julia’s gone. Abadon shrieks into the night, will this be like Jason VS Freddy for the title?
Backsatge interview with Samoa Joe.
Alex Marvez says the last time we saw Joe, he was furious that MJF accepted a tag team challenge from “The Devil of AEW.” Joe says why wouldn’t he be? But then someone shouts “SAMOA JOOOE~!” In rolls Roderick Strong & The Kingdom. Roddy tells Joe that Roddy is willing to forgive Joe for trying to end his career with a broken neck not just once but twice. And he knows Joe has his world title match with Max, but c’mon, this is clearly a trap! MJF is the Devil! But hey, Roddy’s best friend “ADAAAM~!” likes Joe and thinks of him as a friend. So as Adam Cole’s best friend, that makes Roddy a friend to Joe.
So hey, Wednesday, it’s a set-up. Those goons will beat the crap out of Joe! And MJF isn’t even here right now! He’s probably plotting how they’re gonna do it! The Kingdom says yeah, Roddy’s right. So just listen to him, okay? Joe chuckles and leaves. Does Joe think they’re joking? Between Joe and “The Devil,” who will have the last laugh on Dynamite?
AEW Continental Classic, Blue League: Andrade El Idolo VS Daniel Garcia!
We saw this showdown before when CJ Perry was recruiting clients, and we saw which way that went. But then will history repeat itself? Or will Red Death ruin Andrade’s start in the Blue League?
While no “seconds” are allowed, meaning even manager CJ must return to the back, Daddy Magic found a loophole by joining commentary. He still disapproves of the Garcia dance. Anyway, the bell rings, we’re on the clock, and the two circle. Fans rally up as the two tie up, Garcia rolls Andrade up, ONE! Garcia says he almost had Andrade, but Andrade just smirks. The two reset, tie up again, and Andrade headlocks. Andrade holds on tight, but Garcia powers up to power out. But Andrade runs Garcia over! Fans rally and duel, cheer and jeer, and Andrade CHOPS Garcia! Andrade whips but Garcia stops himself to whip Andrade!
Andrade goes Spider-Man in the ropes to tranquilo! Fans fire up for that, but then Garcia puts his dukes up. Andrade says no dance, but then Garcia clamps on a SLEEPER! Andrade RAMS Garcia into buckles, goes up the ropes, and he CROSSBODIES! Garcia staggers up, Andrade CHOPS him! Andrade whips, but Garcia reverses. Andrade goes up and over, then dropkicks the dropdown! Garcia goes to the apron, and Andrade PLANCHAS! Fans fire up, Andrade puts Garcia in, and he covers, ONE!! Garcia hangs tough but Andrade brings him up. Andrade gives some Latino Heat but Garcia wrenches out. Andrade ROCKS Garcia, but Garcia hits a SHIN BREAKER!
Garcia DRAGON SCREWS the leg, GROUDN DRAGON SCREWS it, then basement dropkicks! Fans fire up, Garcia covers, ONE!! ANKLE LOCK! Andrade scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! Garcia lets go, Andrade bails out, and Andrade shakes out the bad leg. Garcia goes out, Menard likes what he sees, but Andrade kicks low! Andrade RAMS Garcia into the apron, but Garcia kicks low and CLUBS him! Then RAMS him into railing! Garcia grabs at Andrade but Andrade gets in the ring. Garcia hurries to KNEE Andrade down, covers, ONE! Andrade CHOPS! Andrade whips to a corner, but Garcia BOOTS him back!
Garcia goes up, Andrade CLOBBERS Garcia to the floor! Fans fire up and Andrade paces while Garcia is dazed, and Collision goes picture in picture.
Andrade paces, walking off the pain in his leg, while Garcia clutches his neck and shoulder. The ring count climbs, Andrade goes out to commentary to have one of their WOOOOO energy drinks! “WOO~!” Andrade then makes his way around to fetch Garcia, and he SMACKS Garcia off the steel steps! Andrade drags Garcia back up to put in the ring, and he has a cocky cover. ONE, but Andrade stalks Garcia to ropes. Andrade kicks Garcia around, pie faces him, and eggs him on. Garcia huffs and puffs, then CHOPS back! And CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS! Garcia whips, Andrade reverses to then CLOBBER Garcia!
Andrade clamps onto Garcia with a headlock and grinds him down, and Collision goes to break.
Collision returns and Garcia fights up out of a headlock to SAIDO! Fans fire up while both men are down! Garcia pushes up, Menard says this has been Garcia’s best match so far! And zero dancing! Garcia stands, he counter punches Andrade, and counters again! Then he dodges, fires off haymakers and fast hands, the ref counts but Garcia lets off. The fans are thunderous as Garcia runs to BOOT Andrade, then put him up top! Garcia drags Andrade into the Tree of Woe, CLUBS him, then stands on the corner to punch away on the legs! Garcia goes all the way to TEN, then lets off. Dukes up, and he does some dancing before the BASEMENT DROPKICK!
Andrade falls out of the Tree, Garcia hoists him up, BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Andrade survives and fans rally up again! Garcia drags Andrade into a waistlock, drags him back up, but Andrade ELBOWS Garcia! Garcia holds on, so Andrade throws more heavy elbows! Garcia ducks to CHOP! Garcia whips, Andrade ducks ‘n’ dodges to FLYING FOREARM! And he kips up! The fans fire up, Andrade takes aim as Garcia is in a corner, and Andrade builds speed corner to corner, but has to dodge a lariat! Andrade kicks and snap suplexes, Uno Amigo! Fans fire up as Andrade hits Dos Amigos! Andrade gives us some Latino Heat, but Garcia wrenches out! SLEEPER!!
Garcia squeezes tight but Andrade throws elbows. Andrade is fere, but Garcia hops back on! SLEEPER! Andrade carries Garcia as a backpack as he climbs the corner! Garcia CLUBS Andrade, shifts around, and the two brawl. Andrade has Garcia now, for a SUPERPLEX! And then he still rolls through to restart! Uno Amigo! Dos Amigos! THREE AMIGOS! Cover, TWO!! Garcia survives many amigos and Menard loves it! But Andrade steps through, only for Garcia to roll through, step through, DRAGONTAMER!! Andrade endures as Garcia bridges back! But Andrade grabs Garcia’s head! But Garcia rolls through!
Andrade wrenches out, hammerlocks and LA SOMBRA DDT!! Cover, Andrade wins!!
Winner: Andrade El Idolo, by pinfall (gains 3 points; Garcia earns 0)
Andrade’s first tournament match is his first win! Garcia is 0-2, Menard says this is a hole they’ll have to dig out of. Andrade still shows Garcia respect, but is Garcia going to be mathematically eliminated before long?
Willie Mack speaks.
“See, Wardlow, I know you’ve been going through a lot of things these past few weeks, putting your hands on people. But one thing you know about me is you don’t put your hands on my friends. Y’see, this is a person who I’ve tagged with and won multiple tag team championships in other promotions with. So what I’ma have to do, is I’ma have to reach out and touch you. So next week, we’re gonna have to do the damn thing in the ring, so guess what? You better pack a lunch, because I’m a big boy, and I’m a big meal to try to eat.” Mack is standing up for AR Fox, but will the Return of the Mack end up Wardlow’s newest victim?
The Kingdom w/ Roderick Strong VS The Iron Savages w/ Jacked Jameson!
Roddy shouts at “DASHAAAA!” to stop, and he has the music cut. First thing’s first, Roddy wants to say to his NEW best friend by proxy, “SAMOAAA Joe.” Listen, Roddy told him the truth back there. They roll down the ring as Roddy says MJF is the Devil and Joe will find out soon. And then those three dweebs in the ring, they ain’t gonna #NeckTheHalls, no. The Kingdom’s gonna beat their… AAAAASS! And Roddy wants to dedicate this to his best friend, whether he wants Roddy to or not, ADAAAM! “Get ’em, fellas!” The Kingdom fire off on The Savages as the bell rings! Bennett DECKS Dirty Bulk Bronson to then help Taven mug Beefcake Boulder!
The Kingdom mock the “DOUBLE CLOHTESLINE!” as they whip, but Boulder breaks through to DOUBLE CROSSBODY! Fans fire up as Boulder shows off the “BEEF! BEEF!” Boulder goes out to get Bennett up, but he SUPERKICKS first! BOSTON BAYONET! Then another BOSTON- NO, Boulder catches Bennett to APRON CHOKE SLAM! Taven WRECKS Boulder with a dropkick, but Bronson DIVES!? Direct hit and Bronson fires up! Bronson puts Taven in, storms up to whip corner to corner. Taven stops himself, ducks under and ENZIGURIS! Roll up, TWO! Taven swings, misses, and Bronson hits a SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO!
Fans fire up as Bronson tags Boulder. Boulder swivels and wiggles, then goes up and hup to SAVAGE FLOP as Taven moves! Bronson tags back in, Bennett tags, too. SUPERKICK and fireman’s carry, DEATH VALLEY DRIVER into JUST THE TIP of the knee! The Kingdom shouts #NeckStrong, and then Taven FLIES out onto Boulder! Bennett hauls Bronson up, Taven is on the corner, NECK CHECK PILEDRIVER!! Cover, The Kingdom wins!
Winners: The Kingdom, by pinfall
And then Roddy STRONG KNEES Jacked Jameson! He flounders back out of the ring and The Kingdom helps him get in the wheelchair. The Kingdom rolls out, will they be proven right on all fronts?
Backstage interview with Ethan Page.
Lexi Nair is with All Ego, who has requested this time. Ethan says that ever since losing out on the AEW World Championship to MJF, in his home country of Canada, Ethan has had to regroup and refocus. He’s gotten into the best physical shape of his life, he has been in ROH building up win after win. And so, here Ethan is to make a challenge and check off a bucket list thing. AEW is going back to Canada, and Ethan wants to be THE biggest name in Canadian wrestling. So therefore, to be the King of Canada, he needs his crown. That crown is currently on someone else’s head.
So in Montreal, 1v1, we find out who the best Canadian wrestler truly is, as Ethan calls out KENNY OMEGA! Will The Cleaner give All Ego that opportunity?
AEW hears from Willow Nightingale and Mercedes Martinez.
The Babe with the Power tells Mercedes, “our history goes further back than you probably even realize. I’ve been such a fan, and I’ve admired you so much.” The OG Badass says the first time they met, Willow “was this night little pretty Willow.” Willow says she is constantly disappointed in Mercedes’ behavior as of late, and in herself because she hasn’t been able to beat Mercedes. Mercedes asks how many times must Willow dance her way into Mercedes’ business? Isn’t Willow tired of being everyone’s hero? Next time they meet, Willow will need to be saved. Because Mercedes will dance and stomp all over her.
Malakai Black & Buddy Matthews VS Christopher Daniels & Matt Sydal!
Brody took the lead in the Blue League, and Julia has called out her next target. Will the Dark Father and Aussie Juggernaut make sure that the House Always Wins? Or will the Fallen Angel & Zen Assassin finally stake a claim in the AEW Tag Division?
The teams sort out, Buddy starts against Sydal, and the two circle. They knuckle lock, Buddy trips and covers, ONE as Sydal gets an arm up! Buddy pushes it down, ONE as the other arm comes up. Buddy pushes that down, TWO as Sydal bridges up. Buddy jumps but Sydal stops that to then go up and over for a sunset flip, only for Buddy to stand back up! Buddy TOSSES Sydal to a corner, but Sydal slips out to the apron to bump Buddy off buckles. Sydal climbs, CROSSBODIES, but Buddy rolls through! Buddy pops Sydal up to a fireman’s carry, but Sydal slips free. Sydal KICKS, KICKS, but Buddy ELBOWS him down!
Buddy drags Sydal up, whips, but Sydal wrenches, ducks ‘n’ dodges, tilt-o-whirls, but Buddy stops the DDT! Buddy suplexes but Sydal throws knees! Sydal waistlocks. Buddy switches and back suplexes, but Sydal lands on his feet! Sydal shoves Buddy to the corner, but Buddy pie faces Daniels! Sydal ROUNDHOUSES Buddy, tags Daniels, but Buddy fights them both off! Sydal RAMS Buddy, Daniels GAMANGIRIS! Feed to a ROUNDHOUSE then the STO! STANDING MARIPOSA! Cover, TWO! Daniels drags Buddy up, CHOPS, and whips. Buddy blocks, boots, then tags Malakai. Fans fire up as Malakai and Daniels stare down.
The two rush in, Daniels gets around to shove, then CALF KICK! Malakai goes to a corner, Daniels runs in and blocks a boot, but not the other BOOT! Malakai wrenches, tag to Buddy, but Daniels avoids the double stomp to CHOP and CHOP! Daniels whips, Buddy reverses and sends him into Malakai’s BOOT! Buddy TOSSES Daniels out, Malakai goes up and out to ASAI MOONSAULT! Buddy BLASTS Sydal for good measure, and then sits with Malakai as Collision goes picture in picture.
Daniels crawls his way back to the ring, drags himself in, and Buddy looms over him. Buddy drags Daniels up to ROCK him! Tag to Malakai, the House mugs Daniels, and then Malakai whips Daniels to ropes. BIG elbow! Malakai drags Daniels into an armlock but Daniels endures. Sydal coaches Daniels, rallies the fans, and Daniels fights up. Malakai wrenches to step over and have a COBRA TWIST! Daniels endures the stretch, so Malakai CLUBS him on the neck. Malakai UPPERCUTS Daniels, tags Buddy, and the House mugs Daniels again. Buddy pushes Daniels around, CLUBS him, then snapmares for a KICK! Cover, TWO!
Buddy keeps on Daniels with a chinlock and he grinds Daniels down. Daniels endures, Sydal coaches him and the fans rally up. Daniels fights up, reaches out, and throws body shots. Daniels RAMS buddy into a corner, but Buddy holds on! Daniels RAMS Buddy in again, but Buddy still holds on! Daniels tries again but Buddy sends Daniels into buckles! But Daniels BOOTS back! Daniels leaps, FLYING COMPLETE SHOT! Collision returns to single picture and both men crawl. Buddy grabs a leg, but Daniels boots him away! Malakai tags in, hot tag to Sydal! Sydal DROPKICKS Malakai, dodges to UPPERCUT Buddy, then tilt-o-whirl RANAS Malakai!
Fans fire up as Sydal KICKS and KICKS, but Malakai blocks one! Sydal ducks the jump knee to dragon sleeper, SLICE LEG DROP! Cover, TWO!! Malakai survives but Sydal calls to Daniels. Sydal goes to the corner, climbs up, but Malakai CLUBS him first! Malakai climbs up after Sydal but Daniels sneaks a tag! Daniels CLUBS Malakai, gets under, but Malakai backflips out of the bomb! Malakai ROCKS Daniels, but Daniels ducks Black Mass! Only for Buddy to METEORA! But so does Sydal to Malakai!! Fans fire up and Buddy fires off on Sydal! Kick, stomp to the foot, but Sydal avoids the knee to JUMPS OBAT!
Sydal runs, into a V-TRIGGER! Buddy runs, into a JUMP KNEE! Buddy flops out of the ring, Sydal builds speed, but Malakai trips him up and drags him out! Malakai CLUBS Sydal down, btu Daniels DIVES! Malakai is sent into the desk! Fans fire up with Daniels as he puts Malakai back in the ring. Sydal climbs, Daniels hoists Malakai up, but Buddy SHOVES Sydal down! Daniels still rolls Malakai up, TWO! Malakai sweeps the leg, Buddy runs to CURB STOMP Daniels down! Buddy sees Sydal coming and dodges, JUMP KNEE from Malakai! And BLACK MASS!! Cover, House of Black wins!
Winner: The House of Black, by pinfall
Another Collision, another sweep for the Dark Father and his family. The lights go down, but why? The House is already here. But here comes FTR! Cash Wheeler & Dax Harwood storm down to the ring bathed in the magenta light! Malakai tells them that before they do anything, Malakai assumes that they’re both here because they are joining the House. Dax chuckles but Malakai says he is a family man. And we know it’s been weeks. The only people in AEW that have been here for the both of them has been The House of Black. Malakai’s done a lot of things, but not once has he told a lie.
The fans chant “HOUSE OF BLACK!” and Malakai drops the mic for FTR to take. Dax picks it up, but Buddy KNEES him down! Cash goes after Buddy but he gets mugged! Cash still throws hands, but Buddy CURB STOMPS him down! Buddy then drags Dax up, and he makes Dax watch as Malakai sets Cash up! BLACK MASS!! Dax is seething but he can’t get free of Buddy’s chinbar, and Malakai says see! Not one single person has come to help them! And was Malakai right or what? No one is coming to help. Dax flips Malakai off, so he gets BLACK MASS!! Is this going to be the end for FTR in AEW once and for all?
Backstage interview with Toni Storm.
Renee Paquette is with “Timeless Toni,” bringing up last week as Storm accepting the AEW Women’s World Championship, and Storm says yes, she knows, she has no time for these prepared questions. And where is “that man who usually does my interviews? He has so much more poise.” And she isn’t even finished doing her hair because they were too busy with some blonde floosy! And yes, Storm did accept her championship last week, Renee was a dear for presenting that. But Storm was unceremoniously interrupted by Skye Blue!
Storm tells Skye that if she had any advice at all, it’d be to walk backwards! The only time anyone has anything nice to say about Skye, it’s in reference to her bottom! Is Storm supposed to be worried because Skye’s all spooky now? With that little thing on her head? Storm used to wear hats and be spooky. BOO. See? Not that hard. Interrupt her, fine. She can be first to challenge for “this little huckleberry right here.” But until then, chin up, chest out, and oh… she’s bare foot. Sorry. She takes RENEE’S shoe to throw around! Toni is timeless, but will the Storm strike down Chicago Skye?
Skye Blue speaks.
Well first, she sighs. “Toni, I have met you through every single one of your phases, but this little midlife crisis your going through is the most pathetic I have seen thus far. But you haven’t met this Skye Blue. So bring your little butler, bring your little blond bimbo, and whatever 1940s black ‘n’ white crap you got up that robe, because none of it is going to stop me from taking that championship from you. So I’m gonna have my chin up, my chest out, and I’m gonna shove your shoe right up your ass.” Strong words from a fired up challenger, will she be the new leading lady of AEW?
Christian Cage speaks.
Captain Charisma says, “I don’t think it’s any secret to anybody how far back my relationship with Adam Copeland goes. I think I more or less tolerated Adam. He was a hanger-on, he wanted to be like me, which is why he’s always tried to steal my spotlight wherever we’ve gone.” And that held Christian back. Edge got what he never got. He was pushed all the way to the bottom when they broke up as a tag team. But Christian willed himself to the top. he is here to be the best, anyone else is expendable. And Edge wants to take away everything Christian’s built up the last three years? Christian has nothing to prove to himself, but Edge has everything to prove to Christian.
This time, Christian is what everyone talks about. Whether it’s Dynamite, Rampage or Collision, Christian nis on the tip of everyone’s tongue. He is the Face of TNT, the Face of AEW, then, now and forever! Christian has always been better than Edge, and in Montreal, everyone will finally know. But will “The Patriarch” be the one in for a shock when things get Rated R on Wednesday?
El Hijo Del Vikingo VS Kip Sabian!
The AAA Mega Champion is coming off a big trios win last night on Rampage, but Mr. Superbad just thinks of him as the most overrated wrestler on the AEW roster. Will Kip put his money where his mouth is? Or will he be on the losing end of this Collision?
The bell rings, the two circle, and they feel things out. They tie up, Kip cording holds but Vikingo whips. Kip arm-drags and holds on, but Vikingo goes up and over! Kip just changes up cording holds, arm-drags, but then Vikingo pushes him. Kip arm-drags again and keeps the hold, wagging his finger. Then Kip CHOPS, Vikingo CHOPS back! Vikingo throws knees, goes up and out to HOTSHOT Kip! Then Vikingo springboards, but Kip slides out., Vikingo keeps moving, but he fakes Kip out! Fans fire up, Kip runs in but Vikingo dodges to HEEL KCIK! Kip goes to a corner, Vikingo whips but Kip reverses.
Viking slips out to the apron, Kip hits buckles, then Vikingo GAMANGIRIS! Vikingo goes up and around and FLYING ARM-DRAGS! Things keep moving, Vikingo CORKSCREW RANAS Kip out! Then Vikingo DIVES into a GAMANGIRI! Kip intercepts Vikingo and talks some trash. Then Kip ARABIAN PRESSES to take Vikingo down! Fans fire up and Collision goes picture in picture.
Kip drags Vikingo up, puts him in the ring, then drags him up to ROCK him with a forearm. Kip bumps Vikingo off buckles, then whips corner to corner hard! Vikingo falls back, Kip flexes, and Kip drags Vikingo to a cover, TWO! Kip drags Vikingo into a mounted armlock, but Vikingo endures. Kip BITES Vikingo’s hand! The ref misses that, but Vikingo fights to the ROPEBREAK! Kip lets go, then stands Vikingo up to ELBOW him to the corner. Kip stomps Vikingo again and again, then sits him down. Kip backs up to then run in again, CANNONBALL! Kip drags Vikingo to a cover, TWO! Vikingo is hanging in there but Kip keeps cool as Collision goes to break.
Collision returns and Kip ROCKS Vikingo with forearm after forearm. Fans boo, Kip whips, but Vikingo rebounds, gets under, and DREAMCAST KICKS! Kip flops against ropes and fans rally with Vikingo. Vikingo runs in at the corner, but stops as Kip moves. Kip returns, into a scoop and torture rack! Argentine Flip KNEE STRIKE! Like an inverted GTS! Kip falls, Vikingo drags him to a drop zone and goes up the ropes from the outside. INSIDE-OUT PHOENIX SPLASH!! Cover, TWO!! Kip survives and he manages to smile about it. Vikingo drags Kip back to another drop zone, but Kip goes after Vikingo as he climbs!
Kip climbs up after Vikingo, fans fire up and Vikingo throws body shots. Vikingo HEADBUTTS, Kip flops to the apron. But then Kip springboards u to SUPER STEINER! Kip hurries to scoop, FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Kip is stunned as Vikingo survives! Kip drags Vikingo up again, waistlocks, then torture racks. DEATHLY- NO, Vikngo flips free, dodges and SUPERMAN PUNCHES! Vikingo goes up as Kip bails out, to tightrope walk TORNILLO!!! Direct hit and the fans lose their minds! Vikingo puts Kip back in, runs corner to corner, METEORA! And then Vikingo goes right up, for the 630 SENTON!!! Cover, Vikingo wins!!
Winner: El Hijo Del Vikingo, by pinfall
The AAA Mega Champion cools off Kip’s hot take, because no one who can do what Vikingo did in this match is “overrated!” But Vikingo does show Kip a sign of respect by offering a handshake. The fans cheer to shake hands, but Kip says no! Will Kip ever get over himself? Will Vikingo earn even more gold in the New Year?
Backstage interview with Keith Lee.
Lexi is with the Limitless One, and says last time, he mentioned “him.” Just who is “him?” But then in walks Shane Taylor, because he knows who “him” is! Because Keith ain’t dumb enough to look past Shane. But last year’s match didn’t solve anything, so this year, they give the people the fight they really wanna see. Keith VS Shane, 1v1, Final Battle, so Shane can beat Keith’s ass in front of the entire world! Keith thinks on that a moment. Challenge accepted. And see #TAIGASTYLE later, too. Then in two weeks, in Garland, Texas, will that truly be the Pretty Boy Killers’ Final Battle?
Backstage interview with CJ Perry.
Lexi and CJ are outside Andrade’s office, and notes that Andrade’s first win was impressive. UH OH, here comes Miro! Miro says move, CJ says no! Miro can’t go in there! She knows he thinks things will go poorly, but when Miro chose his god over her, she has to prove herself. By Andrade winning, it will help CJ. So if Miro wants to go in there, fine, he’s a grown man. But if there is any love left for CJ, do not do this. Do not lay a hand on her client. Please? Miro says if His God was still with him, he would be in this tournament and have ripped Andrade’s spine out already! Miro then caresses CJ’s face, and says he won’t touch her client. She has his word.
Miro storms off, but what will The Redeemer do to prove himself worthy of gold in the background of the Continental Classic?
AEW Continental Classic, Blue League: Bryan Danielson VS Eddie Kingston!
The American Dragon was the first entrant named to this tournament, but could not compete in it until now. And he doesn’t think The Mad King is ready if one loss takes away all the confidence he had going into this. Will Bryan just pour fuel on that fire? Or will Eddie be the one to earn his first points tonight?
The bell rings and we’re on the clock. The fans fire up as Bryan and Eddie stare down. They slowly circle and approach. They feel things out, knuckle lock, but then Eddie tests things with a kick. Bryan stays back, they reset, and Eddie guards a kick. Bryan keeps trying but Eddie pushes back. Bryan uses ropes as a defense and the fans boo. Bryan smirks as he and Eddie reset, and they test the waters again. Bryan gives kicks, Eddie walks it off, and they feel things out again. Eddie fires off hands, clinches Bryan on the ropes, and the ref counts. Eddie puts Bryan in a corner, the ref counts but Bryan turns things around.
Bryan lets off slowly, but then CHOPS! Eddie just snarls while fans “WOO~!” Eddie storms up on Bryan, they feel things out, and Eddie tries some kicks now. Bryan also kicks, neither man lands a strong shot yet. They end up in a corner, Bryan turns things around on Eddie, then he CHOPS! Eddie CHOPS Bryan down! Fans fire up as Eddie stares Bryan down again. Bryan stands, he and Eddie feel things out again, and fans are behind Eddie more than they are Bryan. The two grapple, Eddie rolls but Bryan facelocks. They go to ropes, the ref counts, and Eddie fights up. The ref gets in between but Bryan KICKS Eddie!
Bryan fires off fast hands but then so does Eddie! Bryan kicks, but then Eddie kicks the bad arm! Bryan falls back, Eddie storms up but Bryan trips Eddie! Eddie goes for knuckle locks but Eddie’s leg guard keeps him back. Bryan KICKS a leg, KICKS again, then KICKS again! Bryan KICKS Eddie in the back! Bryan sits Eddie up to CHOP! Eddie eggs him on! Bryan CHOPS again, but Eddie brings the straps down! Bryan CHOPS again! Eddie is stinging but he grits his teeth. Bryan KICKS! And KICKS! And then snapmares to cover, ONE!! Bryan keeps on Eddie with a motorcycle stretch but Eddie endures.
Fans rally, Eddie fights up, but Bryan digs his forehead into Eddie’s shoulder blades. Eddie still turns things around to have Bryan in the stretch! Bryan endures, powers up, and waistlocks to GERMAN SUPLEX! Eddie stands up but then falls back over! Eddie goes to the apron, shakes out the stars, but Bryan runs in to BOOT him! Eddie holds onto ropes! Bryan runs up again to BOOT! Eddie still holds on, and he CHOPS! And CHOPS! Eddie swings, Bryan ducks to dropkick the legs out! Bryan then builds speed to slide, but Eddie avoids him! SAIDO to the floor! Fans fire up while both men are down, and Collision goes picture in picture!
The ref checks both men, and both men are somehow still in this. Eddie shakes out his arms as he sits up, and he drags Bryan up. Eddie CHOPS Bryan, then follows him around the way. Eddie CHOPS Bryan against railing! Eddie puts Bryan in the ring, stalks him, but Bryan bails out the other side. Eddie pursues, and CHOPS! And HEADBUTTS! Bryan staggers away, Eddie follows, and Eddie CHOPS Bryan against commentary! And again! And again! Bryan flounders, Eddie puts him in the ring, and Eddie storms up in the corner. Eddie stands Bryan up to MACHINE GUN CHOP! Bryan sits down, Eddie CHOPS him again!
Eddie digs his boots in, the ref counts, but Eddie lets off. Eddie drags Bryan up, and puts him up top for another CHOP! Eddie then climbs up after Bryan, brings him up, but Bryan resists the suplex! Bryan throws body shots, then he HEADBUTTS Eddie down! Eddie comes back to CHOP! Eddie CHOPS again, and Collision returns to single picture. Eddie CHOPS one more time, climbs up after Bryan, but Bryan again resists the suplex! Fans fire up as Bryan throws down elbows again and again! “YES! YES! YES!” Bryan HEADBUTTS again and Eddie staggers away. Bryan adjusts, MISSILE DROPKICKS, and down goes Eddie!
Eddie flounders to a corner and the fans rally up. Bryan huffs and puffs and rises up. Eddie also stands, he CHOPS Bryan! Bryan throws body shots! Eddie CHOPS! Bryan fires body shots! CHOP! Bryan KICKS and KICKS, but Eddie CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS! EXPLO- TAKEDOWN! Bryan has an arm, then grabs at the crossface! Eddie resists, fights around, but Bryan still gets the LEBELL LOCK!! Fans rally for Eddie as he endures, fights around, and reaches out! Bryan rolls Eddie back, and has the LEBELL LOCK again! Eddie fights around, pushes Bryan down and he fires down forearms as fans fire up!
Bryan CHOPS and SLAPS from below! Eddie SLAPOS and CHOPS in return! And then some more! They go shot for shot, and then Eddie rains down more forearms! Eddie hauls Bryan up, half nelsons, but Bryan arm-drags free! Bryan runs in, but Eddie dodges the knee to SAIDO!! Bryan stands, into the URAKEN!! Eddie falls on the cover, TWO!! Bryan survives and fans fire up! Eddie stands, drags Bryan up, and suplexes, NORTHERN LIGHTS BOMB! Cover, TWO!! Bryan survives and fans fire up again! Both men are down, a standing count climbs, and Eddie sits up first. The count is 5 of 10, Eddie stands up!
Eddie storms up on Bryan, drags him up and reels him in, but Bryan resists the lift! So Eddie fires KNEES to that bad eye! Eddie reels Bryan back in, but Bryan back drops free! Bryan aims, BUZZSAW! Bryan huffs and puffs and the fans fire up! Eddie sits up in a daze, Bryan aims again, to KICK! And KICK! And KICK! “YES! YES! YES!” Eddie stays up, so Bryan runs to- NO, Eddie blocks the kick to CHOP! And CHOP! Fans fire up as Eddie CHOPS again! Bryan grits his teeth, fires up, and Eddie CHOPS! Bryan KICKS! And KICKS! And KICKS! But Eddie glares at Bryan, ducks the roundhouse and ENZIGURIS!
Eddie HALF ‘N’ HALF SUPLEXES, then runs up to URA- NO, Bryan blocks! Clinch, FISHERMAN BACK SUPLEX! “This is Awesome!” as both men are down again! Eddie and Bryan slowly stir, and then slowly rise. Bryan aims again, to KICK! Eddie shoves Bryan, so Bryan KICKS again! Eddie CLUBS Bryan, Bryan KICKS, KICKS and KICKS! We get the five minute warning as Eddie throws hands! Bryan has the leg again, BRIDGING BACK SUPLEX! Cover, TWO!! Eddie escapes but Bryan says time to kick his head in!! DRAGON STOMPS!! “YES! YES! YES!” Bryan runs out of gas but somehow Eddie is still in this!
Bryan and Eddie crawl to each other, Eddie FLIPS BRYAN OFF! “This is Awesome!” as Eddie rises. Bryan aims from a corner, BUSAIKU KNEE!!! Cover, BRYAN WINS!!
Winner: Bryan Danielson, by pinfall (gains 3 points; Eddie earns 0)
THIS is the fight Bryan wanted from Eddie! But in the end, Bryan is the one to win the fight! Will Bryan keep on going through his next four fights? Eddie is technically still ROH World & NJPW Strong Openweight Champion, but with an 0-2 start, has he all but lost them both?
My Thoughts:
A great Collision, with awesome Continental Classic matches, but also matches they kayfabe’d as “standby” to try and kayfabe the tournament matches not going closer to their 20 minute time limits. A weird move to me but it’s not like we haven’t seen such a move by American televised pro-wrestling before. And surprisingly great stuff out of Vikingo VS Kip, but that was partly the point. Kip calls Vikingo overrated, then gets beat by Vikingo to show how legit Vikingo is, and there could even be a rivalry in the making or something. Kip still has Butcher & Blade to call on, that trio could take on Vikingo, Komander & Penta at some point.
Good match from Abadon and Kiera, with a really good win for Abadon. Julia showing up to basically call Abadon out was an interesting move but I also like it. Different kinds of spooky wrestlers are going to collide, this will be a good program for them both. And very good promos from both Storm and Skye to hype up their title match this Wednesday. Renee definitely looked like she was struggling to not break during Storm’s part, that’s how good Storm is. And I would think Storm retains because she’ll have Luther and Mariah May ringside. And good promo from Willow and Mercedes to set up their match, that’ll be really good stuff.
Good promo from Willie Mack to call out Wardlow but I would think Wardlow beats him to continue his dominance. Good promo from Christian to add some final hype onto the TNT Championship match. And good promo from Ethan Page to not just plug his time in ROH, but also to call out Kenny Omega. Ethan VS Omega is going to be really good, but that probably ends up being Omega’s win to build momentum going into the next round against Don Callis Family. But it also just makes me think Tony Khan still doesn’t get how ROH is supposed to matter. Ethan is in the middle of stuff with Tony Nese and he’s dividing his attention by wanting to be King of Canadian Wrestlers? What?
But thankfully, we did get a promo from Keith Lee and Shane Taylor to finally set up that match. And I do appreciate that it will be part of Final Battle since that’s where this feud started. Anything to make up for poor ticket sales and no ROH World Championship. Or even tag team championship at this point, right? The Kingdom called out MJF but MJF hasn’t taken the time to respond, he has The Devil of AEW to worry about. Good promo from Joe with Roddy & The Kingdom before The Kingdom beat The Iron Savages. Roddy was extra dramatic in his floundering out of the ring this time, can’t wait to see whether he and The Kingdom are still in on the whole Devil goon squad stuff.
Very good tag match from House of Black VS Daniels & Sydal but of course the House won. And good promo with FTR that then turned into a beatdown. That tag match is definitely going to be big for like Winter is Coming. And then, the Continental Classic. Great opening match from Claudio VS Brody, with a great win for Brody to lead the way in this block. And just as I expected, while we got awesome showings in the other matches, Garcia and Eddie each lost to Andrade and Bryan. Good promo for Miro wanting after Andrade but showing mercy for CJ’s sake. That feud probably waits until after the tournament, assuming Andrade isn’t a finalist. Worlds End would be a good PPV for Miro VS Andrade to happen as part of this ongoing story.
I also appreciated Eddie saying he doesn’t want to do cold open promos when he has a big match to get ready for. Doing coverage like I do, I don’t want to fall behind on the broadcast already trying to keep up with what people are saying at the very start like that. Even Claudio did a short promo because he also just wants to have his match, so they really should just have the matches and save promos for later in the night.
My Score: 8.8/10
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