Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW New Japan Cup Results & Report! (3/2/22)
The BIGGEST New Japan Cup ever!

The 2022 New Japan Cup begins!
In honor of the 50th Anniversary, NJPW raises the bar and makes the New Japan Cup a field of FORTY-EIGHT!! Who survives this star-studded first round?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- 2022 New Japan Cup Opening Round: CIMA VS TAKA Michinoku; Cima wins and advances.
- 2022 New Japan Cup Opening Round: Tomoaki Honma VS YOSHI-HASHI; Hashi wins and advances.
- 2022 New Japan Cup Opening Round: Yuji Nagata VS Hirooki Goto; Goto wins and advances.
- 2022 New Japan Cup Opening Round: Togi Makabe VS Jeff Cobb; Cobb wins and advances.
- 2022 New Japan Cup Opening Round: Toru Yano VS Taichi; Taichi wins and advances.
- 2022 New Japan Cup Opening Round: Hiroshi Tanahashi VS YOH; Tanahashi wins and advances.
- 2022 New Japan Cup Opening Round: Tetsuya Naito VS Yujiro Takahashi; Naito wins and advances.
- 2022 New Japan Cup Opening Round: Kazuchika Okada VS El Desperado; Okada wins and advances.
PLAY BY PLAY
2022 New Japan Cup Opening Round: CIMA VS TAKA Michinoku!
Strong Hearts had a #GLEAT win yesterday on the 50th Anniversary Show, and now “The Flower of Evil” looks to bloom in this tournament! But will the Blue Playmaker trample on his hopes and dreams?
The bell rings and the two circle as fans rally. They each try drop steps but the other stays clear. They tie up with knuckle locks, and Taka wrenches an arm to a wristlock. Cima gets the headlock but Taka slips out to hammerlock. Taka brings Cima to the mat but Cima gets up and wrenches back again. Taka rolls, wrenches and wrings Cima but Cima kicks Taka away! Fans cheer the technical exchange while the two reset. Taka and Cima circle and feel the grapple out again. Taka kicks Cima in the shin! And then stomps him to a corner. Taka throws a knee, wrenches again, and whips corner to corner.
Cima goes up and over and then arm-drags Taka to dropkick him out of the ring! Cima builds speed and DIVES! Direct hit and Taka hits railing! Fans rally up as Cima gets up and shakes out the arm. Cima drags Taka up, puts him in the ring, and brings him up. Cima fireman’s carries, Wasteland Slam and then omoplata to a modified BUTTERFLY STRETCH! Taka endures as Cima rocks the hold back and forth. Taka reaches out, ROPEBREAK! Cima lets go quickly, and fans rally up. Cima CHOPS Taka, then CHOPS him again! And again! Taka pokes Cima in the eyes! The ref reprimands but Taka drags Cima up.
Taka uppercuts Cima to the corner! Taka then headlocks, brings Cima around, but holds on as Cima tries to power out. Cima tries again but Taka still holds tight. Taka wrenches, headlocks to the takeover, then gets the headscissors on Cima! Taka pushes up for more pressure, but Cima endures. Fans rally and Cima crawls his way over, ROPEBREAK! Taka lets off quickly to stand Cima up for knees. Taka wrenches and whips corner to corner, then runs in to SHINING WIZARD! Cover, TWO, and right back to the headscissor necklock! Cima endures again as Taka also gets the arm! Taka twists the wrist and bends fingers!
Cima reaches out again, ROPEBREAK! Taka lets go quickly as fans cheer. Taka stomps Cima’s bad arm but Cima still throws body shots with the good arm. Taka eggs Cima on, Cima fires more shots. Cima whips but Taka reverses for a takedown, JUST FACELOCK! But Cima gets to the ROPEBREAK fast! Taka lets off as fans rally up, and Taka runs in, only to miss! Cima runs in, but into a BOOT! Taka runs, Cima handsprings under and BACKSTABBERS! Fans fire up as Cima gets back up. Cima runs corner to corner to METEORA! And then Cima puts Taka in a drop zone, VADER BOMB KNEE DROP! Cover, TWO!
Fans fire up while both men are still down. Cima is up first, he CLUBS Taka, then brings him up to CHOP! And CHOP! And CHOP! Taka fakes the eye poke to kick the leg! Oklahoma Roll, TWO! SHINING WIZARD! Cover, TWO!! Cima survives but Taka fires up! Taka scoops but Cima slips out. Cima kicks and runs but Taka goes the other way to BOOT! Cima kicks first but Taka CALF KICKS then SUPER K! Cover, TWO, to JUST FACELOCK!! Cima scrambles around, reaches out, but Taka rolls him from ropes! Taka CLUBS away, then cranks back on JUST FACELOCK! Cima endures, fans rally up, Taka flips him over to the necklock!
Taka rolls Cima around, and has the legs tied up in a deathlock! Cima endures and crawls with his one free arm. Cima gets a leg free to get the ROPEBREAK! Taka lets go quickly, but says this is over now! Taka drags Cima back up, scoops, but Cima slips out. Cima waistlocks, Taka elbows free, but runs into a BIG dropkick! SNAP SAIDO! Cima keeps going, SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Cima keeps going, he gets Taka up for PERFECT DRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Taka survives again! Cima fires up, goes right to the corner and right up top! METEORA!! Cover, Cima wins!
Winner: Cima, by pinfall (advances to the next round)
Another GLEAT win for Cima! Will this Strong Heart continue to beat deeper into the tournament?
2022 New Japan Cup Opening Round: Tomoaki Honma VS YOSHI-HASHI!
Everyone’s Kokeshi and the reunited Great Bash Heel lost to Los Ingobernables de Japon, but the Head Hunter is coming off a big win against the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions. Will Honma move on through the tournament while also earning GBH a shot at the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions? Or will Hashi be heading to the next round?
The bell rings and the two rush each other! They ram shoulders again and again, then start throwing forearms! Fans rally up as they go faster and faster! Honma gets the edge, runs, rams Hashi but Hashi rams back. Hashi eggs Honma on, then back elbows him. But Honma still runs Hashi over! Honma fires up, runs, KOKESHI flops! Fans rally and Hashi stomps Honma. Hashi then brings Honma up to ROCK with a forearm! And another! Hashi has Honma in a corner, he throws more and more and more forearms, but Honma shoves him back. Hashi CHOPS, and Honma drops against the ropes!
Fans rally up again as Hashi brings Honma up. Hashi CHOPS again, then brings Honma around to suplex and hang out to dry. Hashi runs, and he dropkicks Honma down! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up, Hashi brings Honma up again, but Honma blocks the suplex. Fans rally as the two fight for control, and Honma wrenches to kick Hashi. Hashi swings but into a spin and DDT! Both men are down but fans rally up. Honma rises, drags Hashi up, and he CHOPS Hashi, then CHOPS him again! And CHOPS again! Honma whips corner to corner, runs in and back elbows Hashi, to then BULLDOG! Honma tries again, KOKESHI flops again!
Fans fire back up as Hashi brings Honma up. Honma throws a forearm, but Hashi gives it back. They go back and forth again, faster and faster, and now Hashi gets the edge. Hashi CHOPS, but Honma HEADBUTTS! And now, KOKESHI! Honma goes up top now, he wants another! Hashi stands, but he deflects the Diving Kokeshi! Fans rally up as Honma crawls to a corner. Honma runs in but Hashi CHOPS him! Honma roars, Hashi CHOPS again! Hashi runs into the corner to CHOP, whip and CHOP again! Mule kick, and Hashi goes up! BLOCKBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Honma is still in this but Hashi fires right up!
Hashi stands Honma back up, full nelson, pump handle, but Honma fights free! Hashi LARIATS point blank, then BLINDSIDE LARIATS! Hashi drags Honma back up, tries again, but Honma slips out of Karma! Honma shoves Hashi but Hashi comes back, Honma boots his clothesline away. But Hashi spins to CHOP! Hashi fires up and runs, but Honma dodges to FLYING HEADBUTT Hashi down! Both men are down again but fans fire up! Honma gets to a corner, Hashi sits up, BASEMENT HEADBUTT! Honma climbs up again, FALLING HEADBUTT!! Cover, TWO!! Hashi survives and Honma can’t believe it!
Fans fire up again as Honma gets back up! Honma drags Hashi up, but Hashi blocks the scoop. Fans rally as Honma CLUBS Hashi down. Honma runs, DOUBLE LARIATS collide, but Honma stays standing! Honma drags Hashi back up, but Hashi fires a forearm! They go forehead to forehead, Hashi keeps throwing forearms but Honma gives them back. Fans rally again as they go faster and faster! Honma gets the edge, but Hashi SLAPS! Honma SLAPS so Hashi SLAPS back! Hashi eggs Honma on now, then wrenches an arm. Hashi ROCKS Honma with a forearm, wrenches and CHOPS! Hashi wrenches, but Honma HEADBUTTS!
Honma roars, runs, but into a SUPERKICK! Honma stays up on determination! Hashi LARIATS, runs, and LARIATS Honma down! Cover, TWO!! But Hashi just fires up and gets Honma to his feet. Full nelson, pump handle, KARMA!! Cover, Hashi wins!
Winner: Yoshi-Hashi, by pinfall (advances to the next round)
The Head Hunter was able to #GetBackUp after all those headbutts, and now he’s moving on!
2022 New Japan Cup Opening Round: Yuji Nagata VS Hirooki Goto!
Blue Justice may have lost to the United Empire, but don’t count him out of the Cup! And though the Fierce Warrior is an IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champion doesn’t mean he doesn’t want that world title! Will Goto join tag partner Hashi in the next round? Or will Nagata take one step closer to former glory?
The bell rings and fans rally as the two circle quickly. They tie up, Nagata waistlocks, wrenches an arm, but Goto rolls to wrench back. Nagata kicks Goto away and the two reset. They feel out the grapple, knuckle lock, and Nagata gets around again. Goto wrenches, hammerlocks, but Nagata slips around to facelock then chinlock. Goto slips through to hammerlock Nagata on the mat, then shifts to a chinlock. Nagata slips out the back to hammerlock in return. Goto fights up to his feet, gets the ropes, and the ref calls the ropebreak. Nagata lets go, but KICKS Goto as he backs off. Goto shrugs it off and fans rally up again.
Goto and Nagata reset, feel out the grapple again and tie up collar ‘n’ elbow. Nagata headlocks, Goto powers up and out but to get the headlock for his own. Nagata powers out, but Goto runs Nagata over with a shoulder! Goto keeps on Nagata with kicks and forearms but Nagata hits back. Goto ROCKS Nagata and stomps him into the corner. Goto whips corner to corner, runs in but Nagata BOOTS him down! Fans cheer while Goto bails out. Nagata pursues, KICKS Goto and fires forearms against the railing. Nagata brings Goto around to whip into the railing, but Goto boots back! Goto swings, Nagata dodges, Goto hits post!
The ref checks on Goto but he’s okay to continue. Nagata sits Goto up to KICK him in the back! And then KICK him in the chest! The ring count starts, Nagata drags Goto up and into the ring at 7 of 20. Nagata KICKS the bad arm, then stomps the shoulder. Nagata drags Goto back up, wrenches the bad arm for an ELBOW BREAKER! ARMBAR! Goto clasps hands, and his leg gets the ROPEBREAK! Nagata lets go at 4, and fans rally up again. Nagata KICKS Goto more, stomps him more, then KICKS him again. Nagata gets the bad arm, wrenches through and bends it against the shoulder. ELBOW BREAKER!
Goto drops to his knees but fans cheer. Nagata KICKS Goto again! Nagata eggs Goto on and Goto grits his teeth, Nagata KICKS him again! Goto glares so Nagata KICKS! Goto blocks the kick to CLUB the knee, then HEADBUTT Nagata down! Fans fire up as Goto gets back up. Nagata gets up and now Goto KICKS and KICKS and KICKS! Goto whips corner to corner, runs in and MURAMASA! Then BULLDOG! Cover, TWO! Fans rally and Goto drags Nagata back up, only for Nagata to go for the double wristlock! Goto CLUBS away on Nagata but Nagata holds on. Nagata then ROCKS Goto, runs, but gets run over!
Goto KICKS Nagata in the back, then catches his breath. Nagata goes outside, Goto pursues, but Nagata mule kicks back. Nagata whips Goto into railing, but Goto comes back to LARIAT! Fans continue to rally and the ring count starts. Goto drags Nagata up with one good arm, CLUBS him, then bumps him off the apron. The count is 10 of 20 but Goto still brings Nagata around to smack off the apron. Goto pushes Nagata in and fans rally as Goto fires himself up. Goto climbs, but Nagata SLAPS him down! Nagata climbs, Goto fires forearms but Nagata eggs him on! Goto keeps throwing forearms, but Nagata ROCKS Goto back!
Nagata keeps throwing forearms, and now they brawl up top! Nagata gets the edge, stands Goto up, SUPER EXPLODER!! Nagata crawls to the cover, TWO!! Goto survives and fans fire up again! Nagata grits his teeth as he gets up, but Goto crawls to the corner. Goto drags himself up, Nagata runs in and BOOTS him! But Goto fires off forearms! Nagata ROCKS Goto back, whips corner to corner, but Goto comes back! Goto fights the clinch, Nagata fires more forearms! Nagata runs, Goto follows and LARIATS again! Goto roars, drags Nagata up and fireman’s carries, USHIGOROSHI! Cover, TWO!
Goto keeps focus as fans rally up again. Goto drags Nagata up and into the dragon sleeper! Nagata powers through to suplex, BRAINBUSTER! Both men are down again and fans keep rallying! Nagata slowly sits up but Goto follows. Nagata and Goto throw forearms from the mat, then stand to throw faster and faster! Goto ROCKS Nagata, Nagata ROCKS Goto, and they keep going! Goto gets the edge, Nagata wobbles and drops to a knee, Goto KICKS him down! Fans rally again and Goto powers up. Goto runs, but Nagata roars and catches the arm! NAGATA LOCK II!! Goto endures the crossface, crawls around, but Nagata shifts to a DISARMER!
Goto endures as Nagata’s eyes roll back in his head! Goto still reaches out, ROPEBREAK! Nagata lets go at 4, and fans are thunderous as Nagata roars! Nagata waits on Goto to rise, and he KICKS Goto again! And again! And again! Nagata has the arm, ELBOW BREAKER! Goto staggers back to a corner, Nagata runs in to SHINING WIZARD! Nagata reels Goto in, SAI- NO! Goto clubs his way free and covers, TWO! Nagata BOOTS, but Goto ducks the enziguri! Goto has the legs, GOTO SHIKI CLUTCH! Goto wins!!
Winner: Hirooki Goto, by pinfall (advances to the next round)
Blue Justice looked red hot, but the Fierce Warrior found a way to cool him right off! Both members of #Bishamon are through to the next round! Will the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions encounter each other on the way to the Cup?
2022 New Japan Cup Opening Round: Togi Makabe VS Jeff Cobb!
The Rampaging King Kong lost alongside the rest of Great Bash Heel while the Hawaiian Hulk won alongside the United Empire, but fortunes could change. Will Makabe or Cobb power through to the other side?
The bell rings and fans rally as these two tie up. Cobb shoves Makabe back, they tie up again, and they break. Makabe kicks and whips, Cobb reverses but Makabe runs him over! Makabe drags Cobb up to throw him out of the ring, and then goes out after him. Makabe RAMS Cobb into the railing, SMACKS him off the apron, and then whips him, but Cobb reverses! Makabe crashes into the railing! The ring count starts and fans rally up as Cobb brings Makabe up for a headbutt! Cobb gets in the ring just to refresh the count, and he brings Makabe around. Cobb suplexes Makabe, RAMS him into the post, then carries Makabe to POST him again!
Cobb stands on Makabe right in front of the railing, but the ref counts. Cobb steps off, “apologizes,” then drags Makabe up as the ring count starts again. Makabe is dead weight so Cobb just leaves him. Cobb relaxes in the ring as the count climbs. Makabe drags himself up at 14, and in at 16! Fans cheer and Cobb is amused that Makabe made it back. Cobb stomps Makabe down, steps on him, and mocks the applause. Cobb pretends he didn’t see Makabe there, and then he sits Makabe up to JAM his knee into Makabe’s back over and over. Then Cobb hits an uppercut to the back! Cover, TWO!
Cobb hears the fans clapping, and he mocks the rhythm of “MA-KA-BE!” Cobb stands Makabe up, wrenches and Gotch lifts to carry Makabe around! SINGLE LEG SUPLEX! Makabe goes flying and fans cheer the show of strength! Cobb paces while Makabe is still down. Cobb drags Makabe up but he’s dead weight again. Makabe gets up on his own so Cobb stomps him down. Makabe eggs Cobb on so Cobb stomps him more. Cobb winds up but Makabe blocks the kick to LARIAT Cobb down! Makabe watches Cobb get up, and he runs in to corner clothesline! Makabe whips corner to corner, runs in and clotheslines again!
Makabe climbs up and rains down fists! He gets all ten and laughs as he brings Cobb in. Cobb blocks the suplex, CLUBS and runs, but into a LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Fans rally and Makabe brings Cobb up to whip again. Cobb reverses and Makabe bounces off buckles, Cobb RAMS him back in! Cobb then lifts Makabe, RUNNING BACK SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! Fans rally and Cobb brings Makabe up, but Makabe fires a forearm! Cobb forearms back and they go back and forth! Cobb gets the edge, but Makabe hits back! Makabe runs, gets around, but Cobb blocks the German Suplex! Cobb throws elbows but Makabe CLUBS away!
Makabe runs again, but Cobb LARIATS! Makabe is right back up! And he LARIATS Cobb down! Fans fire up with Makabe and he climbs the corner. KING KONG- NO! Cobb avoids the knee drop and Makabe crashes down! Cobb gets up, goes back to Makabe and stands him up, but Makabe fires forearms! Cobb fires boxing elbows, but Makabe gives back more forearms! Cobb throws even more elbows, but Makabe kicks low. Makabe runs, LARIATS, but Cobb stays up! So Makabe runs again, but into another LARIAT! Cobb gets Makabe up, reels him in, TOUR OF THE ISLANDS!! Cover, Cobb wins!
Winner: Jeff Cobb, by pinfall (advances to the next round)
The Rampaging King Kong ain’t got nothing on Cobb! Will even more stars in this massive NJ Cup field end up taking a Tour of the Island in the near future?
2022 New Japan Cup Opening Round: Toru Yano VS Taichi!
Another Great Bash Heel rebounding from a loss takes on the Holy Emperor, who is also rebounding from a loss. Yano is once again Mr. KOPW, but could a loss here put Taichi on his dance card?
Fans rally “Y T R!” as Yano puts all his things aside. Miho Abe helps Taichi with his things, and Taichi shows off the dancing pecs. Yano gets impatient with the ref as he does his check, and then the bell rings. Yano is very anxious while Taichi makes sure his hair is nice. Taichi offers Yano a chance to untie a buckle pad? Fans rally up but Yano seems unsure. Taichi stays back, Yano says he won’t fall for that trick! Maybe Taichi should untie a buckle pad at the same time? Taichi says Yano can go first but Yano insists. Taichi sighs and goes to untie the buckle pad, and Yano rolls him up! TWO, and Yano hurries to untie the buckle pad!
Taichi CLUBS Yano, whips him to ropes, but Yano holds ropes. Yano then deflects the boot, SLAPS Taichi and throws him out! Yano goes out after Taichi and brings him up to whip into railing! Miho goes to check on Taichi and Yano goes to look under the ring. Yano brings out a tarp! Fans rally with Yano as he brings the tarp over, but Taichi uses Miho as a shield! Yano can’t harm The Diva, but he decides to bag her! Taichi stops Yano from capturing Miho and kicks Yano to then whip Yano into railing! Taichi CHOKES Yano with both hands! The ref reprimands, Taichi lets off, and Taichi picks up the tarp bag.
Fans fire up as Taichi drags Yano up and puts the tarp around Yano! Taichi then shoves Yano over and hurries back into the ring. The ring count starts while Yano fights the bag! Yano gets up, runs into the apron and then into the railing! The count is 10 of 20, Yano still isn’t sure where he is! Yano bumps into the ring at 15, realizes what he’s touching, and he manages to roll in at 19! But Taichi covers, TWO!! Fans rally up, and Taichi drags Yano up. Taichi reels Yano in, but Yano resists the lift! Taichi keeps trying, but Yano back drops free! Yano and the ref get the tarp bag off him, and fans rally up!
Taichi is upset with the ref, so he puts the ref in the tarp! Yano rolls Taichi up, but the ref can’t see! Yano would’ve won but he has to go save the ref from the tarp! Yano gets the bag off the ref and goes back to Taichi. Yano whips but Taichi reverses. Yano stops from hitting the buckles, but he turns around into a GAMANGIRI! Fans fire up while Taichi waits for Yano to get up. Yano ducks the buzzsaw, and he PANTS Taichi! Taichi covers up, but he always does that to himself so… Yano still tackles Taichi down and rolls him up, TWO!! Taichi gets to the corner and still feels awkward. Yano runs in, but Taichi sends him into the bare buckles!
Taichi gets Yano hooked up, TAICHI GEDO CLUTCH! TWO!! Taichi resets in the corner, three point stance, RUNNING FOREARM! Cover, Taichi wins!
Winner: Taichi, by pinfall (advances to the next round)
The Producer may have gotten under the Holy Emperor’s skin, he couldn’t get in his head! Taichi still comes out the winner, will he look to take both the KOPW and New Japan Cup trophies?
2022 New Japan Cup Opening Round: Hiroshi Tanahashi VS YOH!
The Ace closed out the 50th Anniversary Show with a victory, while Direct Drive opened the show with a loss. But the New Japan Cup is the great equalizer! Who wins and moves on while the other has to watch from the sidelines?
Tanahashi shows off the muscles and fans cheer. The bell rings and fans clap, “Let’s Go, Ace!” Tanahashi and Yoh circle, tie up, and Yoh shoots around. Tanahashi blocks but Yoh rolls. They clinch and end up on the ropes, and Tanahashi lets off cleanly. Yoh and Tanahashi tie up again, and Yoh wrenches Tanahashi’s arm to a wristlock. Tanahashi fights through, wrenches back and hammerlocks. Yoh drops to drop toehold and floats to a facelock. Tanahashi slips through to facelock but Yoh slips out, too, and fans cheer as the two stand off. Yoh and Tanahashi circle again as fans rally back up.
They feel out the grapple, knuckle lock, and they go shoulder to shoulder in the test of strength. Tanahashi bends Yoh back but Yoh bridges. Yoh powers back up to go shoulder to shoulder again! Yoh trips Tanahashi, gets a cording hold, but Tanahashi endures. Tanahashi fights up, Yoh shifts to a hammerlock then headlock. Tanahashi endures the grind, powers up and wrenches free. Tanahashi has a top wristlock, spins Yoh for a headlock, and he grinds Yoh down. Yoh pulls hair, the ref reprimands, but Yoh throws body shots. Yoh tries but can’t power out as Tanahashi holds tight! Fans rally as Yoh endures.
Yoh moves around, fights back up, but Tanahashi grinds the hold more. Yoh still pries the hold open, only for Tanahashi to clamp it on tighter! Fans cheer as Tanahashi thrashes the hold. Yoh endures, fights up and powers Tanahashi to a corner. Tanahashi lets off, Yoh is free, but then Tanahashi throws a body shot! Tanahashi puts Yoh in the corner for more shots, then whips corner to corner. Yoh goes up and over and arm-drags Tanahashi to then dropkick the legs out! Fans rally while both men are down. Yoh gets up while Tanahashi clutches his leg. Yoh stomps the leg, then steps over and YANKS it!
Yoh comes back to basement dropkick Tanahashi’s bad leg! Cover, TWO! Yoh keeps on the leg with a HEEL HOOK! Tanahashi endures and fans rally up. Tanahashi drags himself and Yoh back to get the ROPEBREAK! Yoh lets go cleanly, then stomps Tanahashi’s legs. Tanahashi eggs Yoh on so Yoh stomps the leg more and more! Tanahashi still eggs him on as he gets up. Yoh kicks the bad leg, and then throws forearms. Tanahashi fires forearms in return! Yoh kicks the bad leg again, but Tanahashi blocks! DRAGON- NO! Yoh slips through, only for his next kick to be blocked! DRAGON SCREW! Both men are down and fans rally up!
Tanahashi hobbles over to drag Yoh up, and Tanahashi fires off fast strikes. Tanahashi has Yoh in the corner, brings him out to scoop and SLAM! Fans fire up with Tanahashi as he hops up, SUNSET SENTON! Cover, TWO! Fans rally and Tanahashi waits on Yoh. Yoh slowly rises and Tanahashi runs, and he dropkicks Yoh’s legs out! Tanahashi gets the legs, TEXAS CLOVERLEAF! Yoh endures and reaches out, but Tanahashi drags him from the ropes! Fans rally as Yoh powers up and drags himself back over! But Tanahashi sits deep on the hold! Yoh still reaches out, ROPEBREAK! Fans cheer while Tanahashi lets go!
Fans rally up, “Let’s Go, Ace!” “DI-RECT DRIVE!” Tanahashi stomps Yoh’s bad leg. Tanahashi runs, but Yoh uppercuts! Yoh wrenches, Tanahashi dodges, but Yoh blocks the kick to DRAGON SCREW! Fans rally as Yoh returns the favor! Tanahashi gets to ropes and drags himself up. Yoh hurries to get the leg while Tanahashi’s in the ropes! DRAPING DRAGON SCREW! And then GROUND DRAGON SCREW! Then a roll into STAR GAZER! Tanahashi endures and Yoh wants the other leg, but he keeps on the leg he has! Tanahashi moves around, Yoh drives in elbows! Tanahashi reaches out, ROPEBREAK!
Yoh lets go and fans cheer while both men are down again. Yoh grows frustrated, but he dropkicks Tanahashi’s bad leg again! Tanahashi clutches the knee but Yoh brings him up. Yoh reels Tanahashi in, suplexes, but Tanahashi fights it to TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Tanahashi holds on, TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Tanahashi gets Yoh up, gets the leg, DRAGON SCREW! Fans rally while both men are down again. Tanahashi adjusts his kneepads, gets back up, and he fires himself up. Yoh rises, Tanahashi runs, but Yoh slips around! Full nelson, but Tanahashi breaks it! GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!
Tanahashi crawls to a corner and Yoh shakes his head as fans fire up. Yoh runs in at Tanahashi and hits a back elbow! Yoh hauls Tanahashi up to the top rope, then climbs up to join him. Yoh CLUBS away on Tanahashi, stands him up, but Tanahashi resists the superplex! Fans rally and Tanahashi throws body shots! Tanahashi ROCKS Yoh with a forearm and Yoh falls to the mat! Yoh slowly gets up and Tanahashi adjusts, but Yoh GAMANGIRIS first! Yoh climbs back up, brings Tanahashi up, SUPERPLEX! And roll through! FALCON- NO! Tanahashi slips free, but Yoh uppercuts! Yoh runs, into a SLINGBLADE!
Fans fire up and Tanahashi gets back up. Tanahashi waits on Yoh, then runs, but Yoh dodges! Yoh hits a SLINGBLADE back! Fans fire up with Yoh and he brings Tanahashi up! FALCON USHIGOROSHI! Cover, TWO!! Tanahashi is still in this and Yoh roars in frustration! Fans fire up again as Yoh drags Tanahashi up. Yoh full nelsons, but Tanahashi resists! Tanahashi elbows free and Yoh staggers to a corner. Tanahashi runs in, into a SUPERKICK! Yoh flounders his way over and roars again! Yoh drags Tanahashi back up, underhooks the arms, but Tanahashi resists the lift! Tanahashi full nelsons but now Yoh elbows free!
Yoh slips around to backslide, but Tanahashi rolls through! Yoh has the arms, DIRECT- NO! Tanahashi fights free, SHOTEI! Tanahashi blocks the superkick to SLINGBLADE! Tanahashi roars now and he drags Yoh back up. Full nelson, DRAGON SUPLEX! Bridging cover, Tanahashi wins!
Winner: Hiroshi Tanahashi, by pinfall (advances to the next round)
The Ace would not be denied! Tanahashi shows respect to Yoh with a fist bump, but is this just the beginning of Tanahashi’s rise back to the top?
2022 New Japan Cup Opening Round: Tetsuya Naito VS Yujiro Takahashi!
Both LIJ and House of Torture won in big tag matches, but now it’s just down to Uncontrollable Charisma VS Tokyo Pimp. Will Naito keep the Cup tranquilo? Or will he get hit with some Pimp Juice?
As usual, Naito takes his time putting his entrance attire away. Fans rally up as Naito is almost done. The bell rings and Naito stares down with Yujiro. They slowly circle, but then Naito backs off as Yujiro takes a big step. Yujiro still grapples Naito and they end up on the ropes. The ref calls the ropebreak but Naito turns things around. Yujiro turns things back, the ref wants a clean break. Yujiro pats Naito on the shoulder before backing off. Fans rally up again as the two circle. They tie up and Naito wrenches an arm to a wristlock. Yujiro rolls, wrenches back, but Naito wrenches and hammerlocks.
Yujiro goes to ropes, the ref calls the ropebreak. Naito lets off but Yujiro turns things back around. The ref calls for the break, and again Yujiro pats Naito on the shoulder as he lets off. Naito keeps cool and fans rally up again as they circle again. They feel out the knuckle lock, and Naito kicks low! Naito CLUBS away on Yujiro, whips him to ropes and arm-drags! Naito kicks, snapmares and wraps on a chinlock. Yujiro endures as Naito grinds him down, and Yujiro reaches out to get a ropebreak with his foot! Naito lets off, grinds the hold, then lets off again, just to grind again. The ref reprimands and counts, and Naito lets off for real.
Naito stomps Yujiro, drags him up and cravats for a neck wrench. Yujiro endures, Naito CLUBS him down then whips him. Yujiro holds ropes, Naito runs in, but into a FLAPJACK HOTSHOT! Naito rolls all the way out the other side, and fans rally up. Yujiro goes out after Naito to drag him up and put him back in. Yujiro stomps Naito, drags him up, and snapmares him down so he can BASEMENT BOOT him! Cover, TWO! Yujiro grows annoyed but fans rally up for “NA-I-TO!” Yujiro wraps on a chinlock and he grinds Naito down. Naito endures, but Yujiro changes up his grip to grind better. Naito reaches out and gets the ropebreak.
Yujiro lets off, and he brings Naito up. Naito throws body shots but Yujiro knees low. Leg sweep FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Yujiro is annoyed again but fans keep rallying up. Yujiro drags Naito up, reels him in and fisherman’s, but Naito blocks the lift! Yujiro gets Naito up but Naito knees free! Naito kicks, turns Yujiro and hits the NECKBREAKER! Fans rally up while Yujiro flounders. Naito gets Yujiro up to fire off punches and kicks, then he whips to hip toss and basement dropkick! Naito whips Yujiro to a corner, runs in and JUPM KICKS! Leg sweep, COMBINACION CABRON!
Fans fire up while Naito strikes his pose. Cover, TWO! Naito grinds his boot into Yujiro’s head, then brings him up. Yujiro CHOPS, but Naito doesn’t budge. Yujiro CHOPS, then throws forearms. Naito eggs him on so Yujiro throws more forearms. Naito then fires off forearm after forearm in return! Naito CLUBS away on Yujiro, but Yujiro blocks the kick to trip Naito! Yujiro runs, BASEMENT BOOT! Pieter dances while fans rally up, and Yujiro drags Naito up. Yujiro knees Naito against ropes, and again, then backs up to run in and BOOT Naito! Yujiro then reels Naito in, FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, TWO!
Fans rally as Naito is still in this. Yujiro gets up, drags Naito up and reels him in. Naito resists Incolle Slam with elbows, but Yujiro kicks and whips. Naito reverses, kicks back, but Yujiro ducks the enziguri! Yujiro reels Naito back in, INCOLLE SLAM! Cover, TWO! Fans rally while both men are down. Yujiro grows frustrated but he drags Naito back up. Yujiro fireman’s carries, but Naito fights free! Naito spins Yujiro around, kicks and throws back elbow after back elbow! Yujiro drops to his knees, but Naito brings him back up. Naito throws more back elbows, Yujiro drops again. Fans rally, Naito kicks at Yujiro while he’s down.
Naito brings Yujiro back up, throws more back elbows, but Yujiro ducks to kick back! Yujiro runs, into an atomic drop and ENZIGURI! Yujiro staggers around, Naito has him in the corner. Naito hops up, reels Yujiro in, ESPERANZA! Fans fire up and Pieter is worried as Naito aims from the corner. Yujiro slowly rises, Naito grins and runs in, CORRIENDO- NO! Mule kick! Yujiro swings, but into Naito’s full nelson! Naito hooks a leg but Yujiro slips out to fireman’s carry! MIAMI SHINE! Cover, TWO! Naito is still in this but both men are down as fans rally up! Yujiro and Naito stir and crawl to opposite corners.
Naito sits up, Yujiro crawls his way over. Yujiro brings Naito up, throws a forearm, but Naito comes back to forearm Yujiro! Yujiro forearms back, but Naito smirks and forearms again! The forearms keep flying back and forth, over and over! Fans fire up as they pick up speed! Yujiro gets the edge, but Naito comes back with more! Yujiro fires off more! Yujiro CLUBS away on Naito’s back! He reels Naito in, but no Pimp Juice as Naito shoves him away! But Yujiro SUPERKICKS back! Yujiro drags Naito up, reels him in, BIG- NO! No Juice! GERMAN SUPELX from Naito! Yujiro flounders up, into Naito’s ROLLING KICK!
Naito whips, Yujiro reverses but Naito FLYING FOREARMS! Fans fire up and Naito gets Yujiro on his feet. Naito goes to scoop but Yujiro RAMS Naito into the ref! Yujiro scrambles away but Naito hurries after. But here comes Sho and Evil! They attack Naito and CLUB him down! Then they stomp away on him! Sho and Evil smile but fans rally up for “L I J!” Evil and Sho whip Naito into a corner, then Sho runs in to forearm smash! Evil runs in to clothesline! Naito flops down, but fans still rally up. Evil and Sho drag Naito back up and set him up for Yujiro. Yujiro says he wants to do this himself, fair and square?!
Fans cheer for Tokyo Pimp’s sudden sense of honor! Evil and Sho are rather surprised, but they let Naito down. Yujiro asks they leave, and Evil and Sho leave! Fans are thunderous as Yujiro dares Naito to get up! Naito stands, Yujiro reels him in, for a LOW BLOW! So much for fair and square! House of Torture cracks up at their own trolling, and Yujiro runs to LARIAT Naito down! Cover, TWO!! Naito survives and Yujiro is shocked! Sho distracts the ref, Evil gets Yujiro the pimp cane! Yujiro aims, but Naito ducks the cane shot to LOW BLOW Yujiro back! Naito DECKS Sho, then ROLLING JACKKNIFES Yujiro! Naito wins!!
Winner: Tetsuya Naito, by pinfall (advances to the next round)
The House of Torture’s joking around just cost them! But then Evil gets in to stomp away on Naito! Young Lions get in but get thrown back out! Evil drags Naito back up, reels him in, but Naito slips free! Naito pops Evil up to LOW BLOW him, too! Naito tranquilos, having thwarted the House of Torture all by himself! But will the King of Darkness look to personally keep Naito from the Cup?
2022 New Japan Cup Opening Round: Kazuchika Okada VS El Desperado!
The Rainmaker, the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, takes on the Rogue Luchador, the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion! But only one can move on to the next round, who proves they are the superior champion?
Fans cheer as the two champions stare down. The titles are put aside, the bell rings and fans rally up for “O-KA-DA!” as he and Desperado circle. They approach, stare down, and Desperado points out the height difference. Desperado then stomps Okada’s foot and headlocks him! Okada fights up and powers out, Desperado rams shoulders with him, but neither falls! Desperado runs again, rams Okada again, but still neither falls. Okada runs, Desperado squares up, but Okada still runs him over. Okada drags Desperado up, gut wrenches, but Desperado arm-drags free! And he arm-drags Okada again!
Okada ducks the third time, waistlocks and wristlocks to ripcord, but Desperado ducks the lariat! Desperado rolls Okada up, TWO! But Desperado gets the STRETCH MUFFLER! Okada scrambles to the ropes and Desperado lets him go. Okada gets out of the ring as fans rally up. Desperado waits on Okada and Okada goes around the way. Okada gets in, Desperado slides out to drag Okada out and RAM into the railing! Desperado ROCKS Okada with a haymaker, then whips him hard into railing! Okada drops to his knees, but Desperado drags him up to POST him! The ring count starts as Desperado stomps Okada down.
Desperado puts Okada in and stomps Okada more. Desperado digs his knee into Okada’s back with the chinlock. Okada endures so Desperado shifts to a motorcycle stretch. Desperado stands on Okada, lets off the stretch and runs to fake Okada out and stomp his leg! Desperado SPLASHES the leg, then covers, ONE! Okada still has that heavyweight strength but Desperado keeps cool. Desperado brings Okada up to CLUB him on the neck. Desperado CLUBS Okada down, then brings him in for a suplex. Okada blocks, throws body shots, then RAMS Desperado into a corner. Okada puts Desperado up top but Desperado boots him away!
Desperado runs, but into a FLAPJACK! Fans fire up while Desperado writhes. Okada keeps his cool and drags Desperado up. Okada throws Desperado out, brings him up and whips him hard into railing! Desperado slumps down, Okada drags him back up and whips him hard the other way! Desperado staggers and falls but Okada stalks him around the way. Okada drags Desperado up and into the ring, and he drags Desperado around for a cocky pin. Red Shoes says that is no good after all those railing crashes. Desperado pushes Okada’s foot away anyhow, and Okada drags Desperado up.
Desperado throws body shots but Okada doesn’t budge. Desperado throws more hands but Okada kicks low. Okada turns Desperado for a NECKBREAKER! Okada follows Desperado as he rolls away, and Okada covers. TWO, but Okada clamps on a chinlock. Desperado endures, fans rally up, but Okada pulls back harder on the hold. Desperado fights around but Okada pulls back even harder! Desperado reaches out and he gets the ROPEBREAK! Okada lets off quickly and fans rally up more. Okada drags Desperado up, scoops and SLAMS him, then goes to the apron to slingshot senton! Fans cheer while Desperado writhes.
Okada waits on Desperado to get up. Desperado leans against ropes, Okada brings him up, but Desperado CHOPS! Okada doesn’t budge, so Desperado CHOPS and fires forearms. Okada just EuroUppers Desperado off his feet! Okada eggs Desperado on and fans rally up. Desperado drags himself up the ropes, CHOPS again and again, and again and again! Okada knees low, whips Desperado, but Desperado reverses and dodges to dropkick the leg out! Okada falls over and fans fire up while both men are down! Okada manages to get up first, but Desperado kicks the bad leg. And KICKS it again!
Desperado whips, Okada reverses but Desperado dropkicks the leg out again! Desperado hurries to get Okada up, for a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Desperado still holds the leg, and he SMASHES the knee into the mat! Desperado YANKS the leg, SPLASHES it, then ties it up in an Indian Deathlock, that he turns into a BUTTERFLY DEATHLOCK! Desperado taunts Okada now as he pushes down on the knees. Okada CHOPS and Desperado “falls” to add more pressure. Okada CHOPS again but that only gives Desperado another reason to fall back. Desperado adds more and more pressure, but Okada crawls around to reach out!
Desperado gets the arms and drags Okada away from ropes. Okada throws forearms but Desperado “falls” again! Okada reaches out to get the ROPEBREAK! Desperado lets off, but “Oops!” He drops knees on the knee. Fans rally while Okada clutches his leg. Desperado drags Okada up, gets the leg, but Okada clubs him away. Desperado keeps Okada from getting away, though, and gives him the SHIN BREAKER! Okada hobbles to a corner, Desperado runs in but Okada dodges! Okada puts Desperado up top and DROPKICKS him to the floor! Desperado writhes on the outside while Okada clutches his leg inside the ring.
Red Shoes starts a ring count but Okada goes out to fetch Desperado. Fans rally up, Okada drags Desperado up and gives him a DDT to the floor! Red Shoes checks on Desperado but he’s okay to continue. Fans rally up, Okada gets in the ring and walks off the pain in his leg. The ring count starts while Desperado is still down. Desperado stirs at 5 of 20, gets to railing at 10 of 20 and uses those to drag himself up at 14. Desperado hobbles over at 16 and in at 17. Okada gets Desperado up to DDT again! Cover, TWO! Desperado is still in this and fans cheer. Okada drags Desperado back up, Alabama lifts, but Desperado flails to fight it!
Okada keeps trying but Desperado finally gets free! Desperado CLUBS Okada, whips him but Okada reverses. Okada runs in but Desperado dodges! Desperado runs in but into a BOOT! Okada runs but into a SPINEBUSTER! Both men are down and fans fire up! Desperado gets himself to ropes and stands up. Desperado stomps Okada’s leg, then stands on Okada’s face while mocking the Rainmaker Pose! Okada gets up and gets in Desperado’s face. Desperado CHOPS, but Okada doesn’t flinch. Desperado CHOPS again, but still nothing. Desperado CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS and finally Okada feels something! Okada SHOTGUN dropkicks back!
Fans fire up as Okada’s chest is turning reddish purple! Okada drags Desperado up and scoops to SLAM him! Okada goes to the corner and climbs up, but Desperado gets under the jump! The leg jams, Desperado CHOP BLOCKS it! STRETCH MUFFLER!! Okada scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! Desperado brings Okada up, GUITARRA DEL ANGEL! Cover, TWO!! Desperado goes up top and FROG SPLASHES! Cover, TWO!! Okada survives and Desperado roars in frustration! Fans are thunderous as Desperado gets Okada back up! Desperado underhooks, no Pinche! Alabama lift, REVERSE NECKBREAKER!
Fans rally harder than ever and Okada drags Desperado back up. Okada wrenches to the MONEY CLIP! Desperado endures but he’s fading as Okada leans his weight on him! Desperado fights up, arm-drags free and kicks low. Desperado whips, Okada reverses and DROPKICKS! Okada gets up, he gets the arm, MONEY CLIP! Desperado endures again and fans rally, he gets the ROPEBREAK! Okada lets go quickly and both men are down, catching their breath. Fans continue to rally, Okada grits his teeth and drags Desperado up. Scoop and SLAM, and Okada goes back up the corner. MACHO ELBOW! And Rainmaker Pose!
Fans fire up as Okada drags Desperado back up. Okada wristlocks, but Desperado elbows free! Okada reels Desperado in but Desperado RAMS Okada into buckles. Desperado runs, blocks the boot, and puts the leg on ropes to dropkick the bad leg! Desperado gets Okada up, has the leg, DRAGON SCREW! Fans fire up while Okada and Desperado are down again. Desperado staggers over, wants the leg, but Okada boots him away. Desperado kicks the bad leg but Okada elbows Desperado. Okada whips Desperado, DROP- DRAGON SCREW! Desperado gets the STRETCH MUFFLER!! And NUMERO DOS!!
Fans are thunderous again as Okada endures! Okada scrambles around, reaches out, but Desperado rolls him away from ropes! NUMERO DOS PLUS!! Okada endures as he has no free limb to fight with!! Fans are electric now, Okada fights to get an arm free! Okada crawls, reaches, but Desperado rolls him again! But Okada uses that to slip out to MONEY CLIP! Desperado endures, fights up, but Okada uses that to ROLLING LARIAT! Okada drags Desperado back into MONEY CLIP! Fans rally, Desperado endures, but Okada cranks the hold! Desperado keeps fighting, but Okada drags him away from ropes!
Desperado reaches, flails, but he’s fading! Red Shoes checks, Okada squeezes tight, the arm falls once! Is Desperado still in this? Okada lets Desperado go?! Okada drags Desperado up to short arm LARIAT! Okada dares Desperado to do something and fans rally again. Desperado is awake, Okada dares him to get up! Desperado gets up, for Okada to LARIAT back down! Okada roars, drags Desperado back up and ripcords, but Desperado ROCKS him! PINCHE LOCO!! Rolling underhooks, but Okada powers out to gut wrench! Desperado fights and flails to turn this around, but Okada elbows him away.
Okada ROCKS Desperado! Desperado LOCO MONOS! Desperado roars, drags Okada up and reels him back in, PINCHE- NO! Okada back drops free! Desperado gets up, but into the DROPKICK! But he’s back up again! Okada gut wrenches, LANDSLIDE! Ripcord, RAINMAKER!! Cover, Okada wins!
Winner: Kazuchika Okada, by pinfall (advances to the next round)
The Rogue Luchador gave it his all, but he still falls short! Is the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion still not on that top level yet? What will it take for him to reach that level?
As for Okada, he gets the mic to tell Desperado, “As expected, the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion is strong, cool, and amazing. But that’s not all a NJPW Junior can be. Juniors can make history, like Sayama and Liger did before. Do what you have to do to make us Heavyweights jealous! You can do that, can’t you?!” Fans cheer that sentiment. As for the crowd, Okada thanks them for their passionate and enthusiastic support today. “Yesterday, pro-wrestling. Today, pro-wrestling. Everyone, thank you so much.”
Okada then points out, “This year’s New Japan Cup is different. The Heavyweight and Junior champions are in it. The fights will only get more exciting from here. Today wasn’t all, we’re just getting started. New Japan will keep delivering, so please keep supporting us!” Fans cheer that sentiment, too, and even clap for “NEW JAPAN! NEW JAPAN!” Okada then says, “If you think Okada’s winning this, clap three times.” They clap three times! Okada says, “Leave it to me. If I don’t win as champion, it won’t be worth it. I will win this New Japan Cup! And I’ll keep making it rain!”
Will the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion make it through the biggest field in this tournament’s history? Or will he have to watch out for Master Wato in the next round?
My Thoughts:
A great event for NJPW to open this tournament! No Young Lions so no matches to skip, we got a great showing from everyone here. Well, okay, Taka was definitely putting Cima over but it was a very good opening match to the entire tournament. Honma VS Hashi, Nagata VS Goto, Makabe VS Cobb, all great, solid matches. Yano bringing out that tarp bag was great, could’ve even been a hint at a KOPW 2022 match. Taichi getting the win does put the possibility of him facing Yano, but he’s also just moving on in the tournament. In fact, with no Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Taihci gets a by all the way to March 14th, the Sweet Sixteen! Maybe they put in a KOPW match to fill a card out?
Tanahashi VS Yoh was also very good, Yoh looked great but it makes a lot of sense for Tanahashi to move on. He’ll have a good match with Bad Luck Fale next round and surely move on again. Naito VS Yujiro was very good, especially with that clever swerve with House of Torture. But Naito gets the win, maybe LIJ will feud with House of Torture post New Japan Cup, but for now, Naito will get a win off Gedo next round, too. And then Okada VS Desperado, that was definitely a match worthy of the Heavyweight VS Junior Heavyweight champions. Okada won but he said it right, Desperado looked awesome. The Rainmaker is going to bring out the best in Wato but will surely win and face Taichi in the Sweet Sixteen.
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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