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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Coverage
Mitchell’s Road to Wrestling Dontaku Results & Report! (4/27/24)
Rural Revitalization continues!
Will Great-O-Khan be setting the table?
It’s Rural Revitalization in Hiroshima for the KOPW Championship! Can Yuya Uemura survive tires, lemons and a table? Or will Great-O-Khan conquer him for the United Empire?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Frontier Zone – Boltin Oleg & Toru Yano VS Rey Paloma & HANZO; Oleg & Yano win.
- Six Man Tag: Tiger Mask & Bishamon VS Bullet Club; Bullet Club wins.
- Zack Sabre Jr. & Kosei Fujita VS Jeff Cobb & Francesco Akira; Cobb & Akira win.
- Six Man Tag: El Desperado, Shota Umino & Tomohiro Ishii VS The House of Torture; Desperado, Shota & Ishii win.
- Hiroshi Tanahashi & Katsuya Murashima VS Tomoaki Honma & Shoma Kato; Tanahashi & Murashima win.
- DOUKI & Taka Michinoku VS SHO & Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Sho & Yoshinobu win.
- NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships: TMDK VS El Phantasmo & Hikuleo; TMDK wins and retains the titles.
- KOPW Championship Rural Revitalization: Great-O-Khan VS Yuya Uemura; Yuya wins and becomes the new KOPW Champion.
- 10 Man Tag Elimination Match: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Bullet Club War Dogs; LIJ wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships: TMDK w/ Zack Sabre Jr. VS El Phantasmo & Hikuleo w/ Jado!
Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls snatched the titles away during the Windy City Riot, but the Guerrillas of Destiny are getting their rematch! Will the Headbanga & Young Guerilla redeem themselves on the Road to Wrestling Dontaku? Or will they see The Mighty Don’t Kneel?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see if The Mighty stay NJPW Strong!
The teams sort out and Hysterical Haste starts against ELP. The fans rally up with the bell and the two circle. They tie up, are in a deadlock, but then Shane cording holds into a wrench and wristlock. ELP rolls, handsprings and wrenches back. ELP keeps Shane from ropes so Shane rolls, kips up, snapmares and KICKS ELP! The fans cheer while Shane shakes out his leg. ELP grimaces as he stands and shakes out the arm. The two reset, tie up, and ELP waistlocks. ELP goes for a chinlock but Shane standing switches. ELP switches, Shane switches again, and repeat. ELP headlocks, Shane powers out, then reels ELP in for a headlock.
ELP powers out, Shane runs him over, and then he sits ELP up to run. ELP drops under, hurdles over, but Shane shoves him. ELP rolls off Shane’s back to RANA! The fans fire up as ELP kips up and fixes his hair. The fans rally for “E L P! E L P!” while Shane is in a corner. Shane comes back to fire a forearm! ELP fires a forearm back! Shane fires another forearm so ELP gives it back. They go back and forth, faster and faster, and the fans rally up! ELP gets the edge, but Shane UPPERCUTS! Shane CHOPS ELP, whips him corner to corner, but ELP goes up and over and keeps moving. ELP fakes Shane out to avoid the dropkick!
ELP goes to ropes to LIONSAULT but Shane moves! ELP sits up but avoids the Penalty Kick! The two stand off and the fans cheer! Shane and ELP reset, and Leo reaches out. ELP tags him in and the fans rally up. Shane tags Mikey, and he circles with Leo. They get face to face, and Mikey pie faces Leo! They tie up, Leo shoves Mikey away, but Mikey comes back. They tie up, Mikey headlocks but Leo lifts. Mikey thrashes the hold, Leo powers out and they RAM shoulders! Leo eggs Mikey on so Mikey runs and they RAM shoulders! Leo runs, Mikey ELBOWS him! Mikey runs, Leo runs him over! The fans fire up as Leo flexes.
Leo drags Mikey up, suplexes, but Mikey fights it! Mikey tries to suplex but Leo’s so tall! Leo suplexes, Mikehy slips free to waistlock, but Leo RAMS him into a corner! Leo runs in, Mikey dodges, only for Leo to LARIAT outta the corner! Tag to ELP and the Guerrillas get Mikey up. ELP BLASTS Shane while Leo whips Mikey to a corner. Leo SPLASHES, ELP clotheslines, then feed to the SIDEWALK SLAM and FALLING AX HANDLE! The Guerrillas high-five, ELP covers, TWO! ELP brings Mikey up but Mikey fights the suplex! Mikey powers out, whips, but ELP BLASTS Shane! ELP dodges Mikey, waistlocks, but Mikey swings. ELP ducks, into a DDT!
The fans fire up while Mikey shoves ELP over and tags in Shane. Mikey brings ELP up to TOSS him out, and then Mikey BLASTS Leo! Shane whips ELP into railing! Shane flexes, fans applaud, and Shane drags ELP up. APRON BACK SUPLEX! Shane shoves ELP in, covers, ROPEBREAK! The fans rally as ELP stays in this but Shane grabs one of ELP’s hands. Shane stretches out the arm to then KICK ELP in the shoulder! Shane brings ELP up but ELP fires forearms! Shane shoves ELP but ELP ELBOWS Mikey! ELP fires off on Shane, whips, but Shane reverses and Mikey trips ELP up! Shane basement dropkicks ELP and he spins around into a HAYMAKER from Mikey!
ELP flops to the floor, Mikey claims the apron is slippery, but the referee reprimands him all the same. The ring count starts but Mikey puts ELP in at 4 of 20. Shane covers, TWO! Shane keeps ELP down with body scissors. ELP endures, reaches out, drags Shane along as he crawls over, and the fans rally up. Shane grabs ELP’s arm and brings him into a cover, TWO! Shane whips ELP away into The Mighty corner! Tag to Mikey, he sends Shane in, but ELP puts Shane on the apron! ELP BOOTS Mikey, ROUNDHOUSES Shane, then runs, but Mikey catches him! Mikey RAMS ELP back into the corner!
Mikey taunts Leo then digs boots into ELP. The fans rally up and ELP throws body shots. Mikey eggs ELP on so ELP CHOPS! ELP tries to get under but Mikey grabs a leg and drags him back! Tag to Shane, and Shane stomps ELP down. Shane kicks ELP around, kicks him more, but ELP fires off hands! Shane back drops ELP up and away! The fans rally while Shane drags ELP back to a cover, but Leo breaks it! Shane drags ELP back, tags Mikey in, and TMDK mug ELP. ELP sputters, Mikey tags Shane back in, and Shane sucker punches Leo! Mikey hoists ELP up but ELP BOOTS Shane! ELP backs Mikey into the corner, then goes up and over Shane!
Shane runs into Mikey but Mikey still pursues ELP. Mikey drags ELP back but ELP ENZIGIRIS free! The fans fire up, but Shane gets ELP’s legs! ELP BOOTS Shane away, hurries up again, but Mikey BLASTS Leo first! Mikey then brings ELP around to back suplex! ELP lands on his feet, but Shane back suplexes! ELP still lands on his feet, then he ducks under TMDK to hot tag Leo! The fans fire up as Leo UPPERCUTS Shane, swings on Mikey, but Mikey dodges, only for Leo to BOOT him! Leo scoops Shane for SNAKE EYES and a BOOT! The fans fire up with Leo while Shane and Mikey go to opposite corners.
Leo runs in to SPLASH Mikey! Leo keeps going but Shane BOOTS him! Shane runs up but Leo ELBOWS him down! Leo runs to drop the JUMPING ELBOW on Shane! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up and Leo watches Shane stir. Shane rises, Leo choke grips! GODS- NO, Shane slips free and Mikey fires a forearm! Shane UPPERCUTS, Mikey LARIATS, but Leo stays up! Shane runs to LARIAT! Leo roars, but TMDK double kick! TMDK reels Leo in, but Leo DOUBLE SUPLEXES them instead! The fans fire up and Leo watches TMDK bail out. Leo tags ELP and ELP goes up. Leo helps him walk the tightrope, to ARIHARA MOONSAULT TMDK down at the ramp!
The fans fire up again, and Leo goes out to get Shane in. ELP & Leo get Shane up to CHOP, straitjacket torture rack, and then Leo runs. BOOT into the spin, BRAIN SALAD! Cover, Mikey breaks it! Mikey fires forearms on Leo & ELP, runs, but ELP hurdles so Leo can DDT! Mikey bails out, the fans fire up, and ELP tunes up the band. Shane rises, into SUDDEN- NO, Shane dodges! Shane runs up, but into Leo’s hands! ELP aims, but Shane pulls Leo into SUDDEN DEATH! Shane UPPERCUTS ELP and DROPKICKS Leo! Shane KICKS ELP, BOOTS him, then reels him in for an INVERTED EXPLODER! Cover, TWO!!
ELP survives and Shane is surprised! The fans fires up, Shane and ELP rise, and ELP staggers to a corner. Shane puts ELP up top, ROCKS him with a right, then climbs up. Shane brings ELP up but ELP fires body shots! ELP HEADBUTTS Shane down but Mikey tags in! Shane goes up, ELP sends him back down, so Mikey UPPERCUTS! Mikey gives Shane the boost, and they get ELP for the SUPERPLEX BOMB COMBO! Cover, TWO!! ELP survives but Mikey powers up and runs, SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO!! ELP survives again and the fans fire up! Mikey grows frustrated, he drags ELP up and reels him in.
ELP slips free of the Blue Thunder to kick and tuck the arms! But Mikey trips ELP to jackknife bridge, TWO! ELP rolling clutches! TWO and Mikey has the cover! TWO and ELP ghost pins, TWO!! Mikey escapes but ELP dodges! ELP DROPKICKS Mikey down and the fans fire up! Both men crawl, hot tag to Leo! Leo runs to BLAST Shane, then he turns to look at Mikey. Mikey eggs Leo on, then fires forearms! Leo ROCKS Mikey with just one! Mikey fires another flurry, but Leo ROCKS Mikey again! Leo eggs Mikey on and the fans rally. Mikey kicks low, ROCKS Leo, then runs, but into a scoop! Tag to ELP before the POWERSLAM!
ELP goes up to SWANTON BOMB! And then LIONSAULT! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up, ELP tags Leo back in, and they tune up the band again! Mikey rises, but Shane trips Leo! Mikey ROCKS ELP, Shane UPPERCUTS ELP! Feed to the scoop but ELP slips free! ELP shoves Mikey into Shane, and Leo grabs them both! But both Shane & Mikey fight free of the choke slams! Shane KNEES, Mikey FOREARMS, but then ELP fires off on TMDK! ELP runs, but into a double trophy lift! THUNDER- DOUBLE DDTS!! ELP turns things around on TMDK, and the fans are thunderous! Mikey stands up into SUDDEN DEATH! ELP PLANCHAS onto Shane!
GODSEND for Mikey! ELP then climbs up the ropes, then climbs onto Leo! SUPER THUNDERKISS 86!! Cover, but Shane barrels through ELP to break it!! The fans are thunderous again but ELP is frustrated. ELP fires off on Shane, runs, but Shane LARIATS! Shane dodges Leo but runs into the POWER TRIP! GOD- NO, Mikey rolls Leo up!! TMDK WINS!!
Winners: TMDK, by pinfall (still NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions)
Leo is furious! He is sure Mikey pulled tights there! He stomps at Mikey, pushes past ELP and goes after Mikey on the outside! Mikey and Leo push each other around, but there’s nothing Leo can do about this one. Will he and ELP just have to fight their way back up to the top? As for TMDK, will they continue to rock ‘n’ roll through the ranks with all this gold?
KOPW Championship Rural Revitalization: Great-O-Khan w/ Callum Newman & Francesco Akira VS Yuya Uemura w/ Taka Michinoku & Taichi!
It’s Rural Revitalization 2: Hiroshima Style! The Dominator just managed to make it past Tanga Loa, will he make it through the Heat Storm? Or will KOPW soon belong to Just5Guys?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who can put in the work!
This first round is Mazda tire carrying. Each man has a big orange cone placed in their corner, so they simply have to go fetch the tires from the stacks outside. Whoever gets four tires first wins the round! The bell rings, Yuya kicks Khan then heads for ropes, but Khan reels him in for a BIG back suplex! Khan goes out now, hurries up the ramp, and grabs two tires at once! The fans cheer and Khan gets those tires in the ring. Then he goes back for more! A risky move but that means four tires are on play. Yuya DROPKICKS Khan and here’s where the risk is involved! Yuya aims to PLANCHA but Khan chucks a tire!
Yuya falls back, Khan gets the tires in then drags Yuya out. Khan CLUBS away on Yuya against the apron, then uses a tire to bind Yuya’s legs! Khan CLUBS Yuya more, and Khan even ties Yuya up in the ropes! Khan sacrifices two tires to trap Yuya! The fans cheer the creativity, and Khan STOMPS Yuya on the apron before heading for more tires. Yuya works to get free as Khan brings two more tires to the ring. Khan sets those tires in, Yuya gets free, but Khan has stacked two tires. Then three, but Yuya DROPKICKS him down! Yuya takes the tires off Khan’s cones, leaving him with just one. Yuya goes out to get the last tires remaining!
Yuya brings tires to his cone, then clears out some space. Yuya has two tires, steals Khan’s one, but then Khan grabs Yuya for an IRON CLAW SLEEPER! Yuya fights free, but Khan Mongolian Chops him down! Khan throws the tires off Yuya’s cone, then throws the cone! We’re back to zero and zero, and Khan whips Yuya into a corner, to then clothesline him! The fans fire up as Khan climbs up and sits on his throne! Khan then hops down to Mongolian Chop! And Mongolian Chops! And Mongolian CHOP! Yuya sits down, Khan takes a tire, but then THROWS it at Yuya! Yuya goes up and over and AX HANDLES Khan down!
The fans rally as Khan grabs tires and cone, and he starts stacking! Yuya has two, then three! He just needs to find one more! Yuya grabs one from outside, but Khan reels him in! Khan DECKS Yuya, then undoes some of the stack. Khan confiscates a tire, makes sure it’s nice and bouncy, but also works up quite the sweat. The fans rally as Khan aims and takes a swing, only for Yuya to counter tire with tire! They clash again, and again! Then they set up for TIRE SUMO! And again, TIRE SUMO! They run in again, and Khan RAMS Yuya! Yuya is disarmed, and Khan CLOBBERS him with the TIRE SUMO!
The fans fire up while Yuya is down and Khan grabs tires. Khan says he’s not done with Yuya yet. Khan starts stacking tires at the center of the ring, then drags Yuya up. Khan clinches Yuya into HITSUJIGOROSHI! Yuya endures, even as Khan throws knees! Khan then scoops to SLAM Yuya on the tires! That’ll leave some skid marks! Khan then drags Yuya off the stack, brings him up and around, to then put a tire around his head. And then another! Yuya’s two tired to stand but Khan makes him! Khan throws a BODY BLOW, then he TRIPS Yuya into a TIRE DDT! The fans fire up while Khan grabs the other tires.
Khan stacks tires on his cone, that’s two. Khan hurries to find other tires on the outside, and he has a third. Khan considers his options, and takes one of the tires from Yuya. But Yuya clings to the tires, so Khan stomps him! Yuya refuses to let go of the tires! Khan stomps Yuya more but Yuya defends the tire with his body! Khan claws at Yuya, they tug-o-war over the tire, but Khan pulls on Yuya’s ear! Yuya kicks low, kicks again, then SMACKS Khan with the tire, and DROPKICKS Khan down! The tire goes tumbling out of the ring while Yuya fires up! Yuya takes Khan’s tires, hurries them over to his cone, that’s three right there!
Now Yuya has to hurry and find another! Yuya goes outside, grabs the tire, but Khan intercepts! They tug-o-war again, but then Khan RAMS Yuya into a corner! Khan takes this tire, that’s one. Khan finds tires on the outside and brings them in! Yuya hurries to cover tires again! Khan stomps Yuya, still stacks three, so it’s all down to this seventh tire! Yuya and Khan tug-o-war yet again, the fans rallying behind them! Khan grabs Yuya’s arm, but Yuya slips around to a SLEEPER! Khan fights up but Yuya squeezes tight! Yuya then CLUBS away on Khan, runs, but into a TIRE SWEEP! And a BASEMENT DROPKICK!
Khan grabs the final tire, but Yuya schoolboys him away! Yuya rolls through, snatches the tire, and complete his stack! Yuya wins the first round!
Khan: 0; Yuya: 1
Just like with Tanga Loa, Khan drops the ball in the first round! But then, will history repeat itself here as we prepare for the second round?
The tarps are set down, the table is set, and it’s time to eat up some Hiroshima lemons! Khan makes sure the people watching at home and around the world understand that Hiroshima lemons are the best, which probably means they’re the most sour. Khan puts on his bandana and takes his seat at the table. He and Yuya get some wet wipes to clean their hands, and it all comes down to who finishes their one lemon first. Ready, set, EAT! Yuya starts fast and that face shows how sour these are. Khan says hold on, and he just takes a HUGE bite! Yuya is suffering but Khan is reveling in the sourness! Khan’s already halfway through!
Yuya can barely keep the lemon in, but Khan’s eaten it all up! Can he get it all down before Yuya? Khan is chewing and chewing, Yuya is practically shaking from how sour it all is! Khan keeps going and… Yes, Khan has it all down! Khan wins!
Khan: 1; Yuya: 1
Khan now lets his body feel the stinging sweetness, and he says it was delicious! But then, that leaves us with this third and final round. And this time it’s a TABLES match! Who will be feeling sour and sore after this one?
The bell rings, both men rush in, Yuya dodges to fire haymakers! Yuya whips, Khan reverses but Yuya CLOBBERS him! Khan gets up, but Yuya DROPKICKS him down! Khan bails out, Yuya aims and PLANCHAS! Direct hit at the ramp, and the Heat Storm fires back up! The table is there, so Yuya drags Khan right up! Yuya goes to suplex but Khan blocks! Khan fights with body shots, turns things around, but Yuya fights the suplex! They fight for control, but Khan RAMS Yuya into the apron! The fans rally, Khan drags Yuya back up, and whips him into railing! Yuya tumbles up and over into No Man’s Land!
Khan storms out after Yuya and he asks fans move aside. Young Lions help the fans clear out while Khan drags Yuya up. Khan brings Yuya around and reminds everyone, No Disqualifications! Khan BOWLS Yuya through chairs, and that’s definitely a strike! The fans cheer Khan as he stands on chairs, but then asks more fans to move aside! Khan stomps Yuya, stomps a chair onto Yuya, then tosses that chair aside. Sorry to whoever had that seat… Khan then drags Yuya up and brings him around, but Yuya throws body shots! Khan Mongolian Chops Yuya down! Khan drags Yuya back up, and BOWLS him into more chairs!
Yuya is stuck on the seats, that wasn’t quite a strike. But Khan stacks chairs on Yuya to pick up the spare. Khan SMACKS chair with chair! Yuya sputters while fans applaud, and Khan goes back to fetch Yuya. Taichi and Taka are there but so are Newman and Akira. The Empire keeps the two out of five guys at bay while Khan drags Yuya to the back of the crowd. Khan whips Yuya into the emergency exit! Khan then SLAMS railing down on Yuya, and then SMACKS railing with railing! Khan talks trash while Taka and Taichi coach Yuya up. The ref checks Yuya, but he’s somehow able to continue, so Khan drags him up.
Khan brings Yuya around to drag him through the chairs! Khan brings Yuya back to ringside, then into the ring. The fans applaud, and then Khan goes looking under the ring. Khan eventually finds another lemon! Khan takes a big bite and uses the citrus to power up! Then he DIGS the lemon into Yuya’s face! The citric acid burns but the fans fire up! Khan goes to fetch the table from outside, puts it inside, and then sets it up in a corner. The fans rally up as Khan stalks Yuya. Khan drags Yuya up, reels him in to scoop, but Yuya slips free! Khan avoids hitting table, but Yuya DOUBLE CHOPS! Yuya whips Khan into the blue corner, then DOUBLE CHOPS again!
The fans fire up and Yuya grits his teeth. Yuya roars, brings Khan up and reels him in for a BIG back suplex! The fans rally again and Yuya brings Khan up. Yuya clinches, but Khan fights the lift! Yuya still tries, but Khan fights it to a head ‘n’ arm clinch. Yuya gets around, headlocks, but Khan pops out to waistlock. Yuya fights being pushed around, then switches to get an arm. Khan clinches but so does Yuya. They fight for control, and Khan’s SAYANAGI takes Yuya down! The fans fire up and both men stir. Yuya flops out of the ring, but Khan crawls in pursuit. Khan drags Yuya up, then RAMS him into railing!
Yuya writhes, Khan goes looking under the ring, and he brings out another TABLE! Khan SMACKS Yuya with the table, then stands the table up at ringside. Khan drags Yuya up, SMACKS him off the apron, then climbs up. Khan drags Yuya up onto the apron, Mongolian Chops, then regular CHOPS! Khan UPPERCUTS, then clamps on the IRON CLAW! Khan scoops but Yuya fights free! Yuya DROPKICKS! Khan holds onto ropes to stay up, but Yuya hurries to run! Yuya LARIATS, but into the IRON CLAW!! Khan drags Yuya up and over, ELIMINATOR- NO, Yuya grabs ropes to fight that off! Khan kicks low, winds up, but Yuya traps the arm!
Yuya traps the other arm, takes aim, but Khan fights the Deadbolt with all his might!! The fans are thunderous as Yuya still tries! Khan BITES Yuya’s ear! And then POSTS him! But Yuya runs up, into a BOOT! Yuya falls back, Khan sits down, and the fans rally again! Khan undoes his hand tape, ends up pushing the table over, and then he folds it all up. Khan puts the table in the ring, pushes Yuya aside, and then he sets this table up again, in the blue corner. Yuya goes up top to CROSSBODY! The fans fire up as Yuya roars! Yuya has his choice as he hauls Khan up. Yuya traps the arms, but Khan makes it a BELLY2BELLY!
But Yuya rises back up! Yuya runs in, gets around, and GERMAN SUPLEXES! But Khan’s right up! Khan LARIATS Yuya down! The fans fire up as Yuya is right back up, and URENAGES! Both men are down again and the fans are thunderous! Khan flounders around, he and Yuya crawl to center, and Yuya fires a forearm! Khan gives it back! Both men stand, and Yuya fires a haymaker! Khan comes back to forearm! Yuya wobbles, but he comes back to HAYMAKER! Khan staggers, wobbles, but comes back to FOREARM! Both men stagger, but Yuya fires another haymaker! Khan fires a flurry of forearms, but Yuya haymakers!
Khan ROCKS Yuya, but Yuya DOUBLE CHOPS! And DOUBLE CHOPS! And DOUBLE CHOPS! But Khan throws an IRON RIGHT! The fans fire up again as Yuya falls! Khan roars with Monster Rage and he hauls Yuya up! IRON CLAW, and then ELIMIN- NO, Yuya slips free! Yuya wrenches, traps the arms, DEADBOLT SUPLEX through the table!! YUYA WINS!!
Winner: Yuya Uemura, 2-1 (NEW KOPW Champion)
Yuya slammed the Deadbolt shut on Khan and now he takes the title from him! The Heat Storm is rising, how hot will he make the KOPW Division through the Summer?
10 Man Tag Elimination Match: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Bullet Club War Dogs!
These factions have been battling all over this Road to Wrestling Dontaku, but now they will fight ’til the last man! Will there be a roll call for Bushi, Hiromu, Takagi, Yota y Naito? Or will this alliance with the Good Looking Emperor, Jake Lee, help David Finlay, Gabe Kidd, Clark Connors & “Drilla” Dan Moloney shoot down LIJ?
Wait, it seems Naito has brought backup of his own? It’s SLYLY! The dragon-like mascot of Hiroshima Toyo Carp, and half-brother to the Philadelphia Phillies’ Phillie Phanatic! Well, Naito does love him some baseball. Tensions are running high, and Finlay throws his shirt at Yota. Yota balls that shirt up, and throws a fastball over the plate! The teams sort out, Finlay pushes Yota around and Gabe talks trash on Takagi. Red Shoes gets them all to settle down, and the War Dogs bark and put up the Too Sweet. Jake joins in at the end there. LIJ mocks the barking before they fist bump, and the fans cheer.
Things finally sort out and Finlay starts against Yota. The fans fire up behind “YO~TA! YO~TA!” at the bell, and Yota makes sure Finlay hears that. Finlay gets on the corner but the fans all boo. The two circle, tie up, and Yota uses his size to put Finlay on ropes. Finlay turns that around to grind forearms in Yota’s face and push him around. Finlay then backs up to SPIT at him! The fans boo but Yota CHOPS Finlay in return! The fans cheer, Yota headlocks, and Yota grinds Finlay down. Finlay powers up and out to headlock back, but Yota powers up and out. They RAM shoulders, Yota rebounds to run Finlay over!
The fans fire up, things speed up, but Finlay bails out. The fans boo but Finlay says he’s got time. Yota barks at Finlay but Finlay just mockingly applauds. Finlay returns, kips up just to show off, but then Hiromu wants in! Yota tags Hiromu, Finlay tags Drilla. Hiromu fires forearms on Drilla, whips, to ROCK, trip, KICK the ropes, then run and SHOTGUN Drilla down! The fans fire up while Hiromu barks. Hiromu runs corner to corner to clothesline, snapmare and basement dropkick! The fans fire up but Connors runs in to knee Hiromu low! Connors barks, runs, but Hiromu kicks low! Bushi dropkicks legs out so Hiromu can basement dropkick!
The fans fire up but Drilla fires hands and CHOPS on LIJ. Hiromu CHOPS back, he and Bushi double whip to TU LO SABE! Cover, TWO! Drilla stays in this but Hiromu fires Hiroshima up. Hiromu fireman’s carries, but Drilla slips free to RAM Hiromu into the corner! The Dogs mug Hiromu while Jake Lee runs up to BLAST Naito! Finlay and Connors help out in mugging Yota and Bushi! Things have pilled out into the crowd in multiple areas while Naito fights back! Jake kicks Naito, then whips him hard into railing! Naito tumbles up and over into No Man’s Land! Gabe and Takagi throw HEADBUTTS back and forth!
Finlay snatches a phone? He’s taking pictures of Jake stomping away on Naito! But then Yota attacks Finlay! Finlay POSTS Yota, a ring count starts, but the Dogs just keep beating LIJ down! Drilla finds his way back to ringside, Hiromu manages to make his way in! Hiromu crawls in at 17 but Drilla is there to stomp him! Drilla bumps Hiromu off Finlay’s boot! Drilla tags Jake in, they mug Hiromu, and Jake digs his boot in while Finlay pulls Hiromu’s hair! Red Shoes is busy getting everyone to stop brawling! Jake lets off but Hiromu fires off CHOPS! Jake just kicks low, whips, and then HIP TOSSES Hiromu down!
Hiromu staggers up but Jake clamps on a SLEEPER! Tag to Finlay and they mug Hiromu in the corner. Red Shoes reprimands and counts, the fans boo, and Finlay lets off at 4. Finlay soaks up heat, then he takes Hiromu’s Kamaitachi mask and THROWS it to the crowd! Finlay then BLASTS Yota off the apron! The Dogs CHOKE Hiromu more, mug him while Finlay argues with Red Shoes, then Finlay brings Hiromu up. Finlay fireman’s carries and goes to dump Hiromu! Hiromu clamps onto ropes, Bushi runs in to make the save! Connors goes after Bushi so Takagi makes the save! But Connors goes after Takagi now!
Finlay puts Hiromu on the apron but Hiromu rolls back in, SAFE! The fans cheer while Finlay is frustrated. Finlay storms up on Hiromu in a corner but Hiromu CHOPS and CHOPS! Finlay knees low, whips corner to corner hard, and Hiromu flounders all the way back to where he started! Finlay drags Hiromu up and over, the fans still cheering him on, but Connors tags in. Connors BLASTS Naito off the corner, then snap suplexes Hiromu down! Connors runs to ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Hiromu stays in this but Connors stays on him with a seated full nelson. The fans continue to rally for “HI-RO-MU!” as he endures!
Hiromu fights around, even as Gedo barks at him to give up. Hiromu still gets the ROPEBREAK! Finlay pushes the foot away and that distracts Red Shoes, allowing Drilla to join in and stomp Hiromu! Drilla & Connors double whip but Hiromu gets around to lift Connors and throw him at Drilla, FORCED RANA! The fans fire up but Connors keeps Hiromu away from his corner! Hiromu blocks a kick, and a punch, to DRAGON SCREW! The fans rally again while both men are down! Hot tag to Naito! Naito rallies on Connors, BLASTS Drilla, swings on Jake, but Jake gets away. Connors CLUBS Naito, whips, but Naito reverses to arm-drag!
Naito atomic drops, runs, and ELBOWS Connors down, to then basement dropkick! The fans fire up while Naito stares Jake down. Naito covers Connors, TWO! The fans rally, Naito drags Connors up and dragon sleepers, for the NECKBREAKER! And then, LEG HOOK NELSON! Connors endures but Gabe stomps Naito! Gabe BLASTS Takagi, the rest of the Dogs attack, and Gabe stomps away on Naito! Gabe tells off the fans but the fans boo. Red Shoes reprimands so Gabe steps away, and Connors drags Naito up. Connors UPPERCUTS, whips, but Naito reverses to TORNADO- NO, Connors powers out!
Connors dodges Naito, redirects and POUNCES! Naito is down but the fans rally up. Naito and Connors crawl, hot tags to Takagi and Gabe! The fans fire up for the NEVER Openweight Championship appetizer! They RAM shoulders, Takagi ROCKS Gabe then runs to RAM him! Gabe rebounds to RAM Takagi, but Takagi rebounds to RAM Gabe! Gabe fires a forearm, whips Takagi to a corner then runs in to clothesline! Takagi says that’s not enough, so Gabe UPPERCUTS! Gabe says he’s a madman, then whips, only for Takagi to reverses. Takagi runs in, blocks a boot, and clotheslines through! The fans fire up with Takagi, but Gabe shoves him!
Takagi kicks and CLUBS away on Gabe, but Gabe BITES Takagi’s forehead! Red shoes reprimands, but Takagi spins Gabe around to suplex high and hard! Cover, TWO! Gabe’s still in this but the fans rally behind “TA-KA-GI!” Takagi looks around, “Oi, Hiroshima! TOKI GA-” NO, Gabe CLOBBERS Takagi! It isn’t his time yet, and Gabe stands Takagi up to HEADBUTT again and again! Then Gabe suplexes high and hard! Cover, TWO! Takagi’s tougher than that but Gabe shakes his head. Gabe scuffs Takagi, eggs him on and runs, but Takagi blocks the Rebounder to HEADBUTT! Gabe HEADBUTTS! Both men shake their heads, and then Takagi HEADBUTTS!
Gabe HEADBUTTS! Takagi HEADBUTTS again and again, but then Gabe HEADBUTTS again and again! Takagi fires a forearm, Gabe gives it back, repeat! The fans fire up as the shots go back and forth! Gabe gets the edge, but Takagi fires boxing elbows! Gabe CHOP! Takagi ELBOWS! JABS! Gabe UPPERCUTS and YUKON LARIATS! But Takagi’s right up to LARIAT!! Gabe rises and shouts! Both men run in, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! And again! Gabe fires palm strikes, talks trash, but gets a JAB, HEADBUTT, and a PUMPING BOMBER take takes both men up and out! DOUBLE ELIMINATION!!
Fans go wild as Takagi’s sacrifice play makes things 4v4! Bushi and Drilla jump in and Drilla fires off shots! Drilla ENZIGIRIS, ripcords, but Bushi dodges to RANA! And DROPKICK! Drilla bails out but Bushi builds speed, only for Connors to SNAP POWERSLAM! Drilla gets in, he and Connors get moving, SPEAR GORE COMBO!! Cover, TWO!! Bushi survives but the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions coordinate. Connors BLASTS Naito off the apron before he climbs a corner, and Drilla gets Bushi up. Drilla suplexes, but Bushi slips free! Bushi shoves Drilla into Connors, then runs back in to CODE-
NO, Drilla blocks and aims for ropes! Bushi slips free, dodges Drilla, but Drilla ducks the enzigiri, only for the REWIND HEEL to hit! Bushi whips Drilla up and out and to the floor, Bushi ELIMINATES Drilla! We’re 4v3 in LIJ’s favor, but then Connors SPEARS Bushi! Connors says this is it, and he reels Bushi in for- NO! Bushi turns No Chaser into a backslide! BUSHI ROLL! Bushi ELIMINATES Connors!! The Black Mask singlehandedly handles the tag champs and the fans fire up! But then Finlay CLOBBERS Bushi and rains down fists! Finlay roars in rage, then he drags Bushi up. Canadian Rack, but Bushi slips free to backslide!
Finlay rolls through to UPPERCUT! Jake BLASTS Naito, BLASTS Yota, and then Finlay gets Bushi up! Finlay POWERBOMBS Bushi to the outside, onto Naito and the rest! Finlay ELIMINATES Bushi! We’re back to 3v2 as Finlay still has Jake but LIJ still has Naito, Hiromu and Yota. And speaking of Yota, he gets in to brawl with Finlay! Yota whips, Finlay reverses but Yota flipping RANAS! Then he BLASTS Jake! Yota runs corner to corner to STINGER SPLASH Finlay! Yota keeps moving, he runs Finlay over to then run and SPLASH! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up with Yota as he smiles and paces around.
Yota brings Finlay up and fireman’s carries, but Finlay slips free. Yota kicks, runs, but Finlay ELBOWS him down, then SENTONS on top! Finlay barks as he aims at Yota. Yota rises, Finlay runs in, and UPPERCUTS at the corner! Then clotheslines! Then FALCON ARROWS! Cover, TWO! The fans rally for Yota but Finlay grows frustrated. Finlay drags Yota up, reels him in, but Yota fights the lift! Finlay CLUBS away on Yota, tries again, and he has Yota up, but Yota fights free of the bomb! Yota fires forearms, but Finlay UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS again! Finlay runs, but Yota backslides to KNEE Finlay down!
The fans fire up again as we pass 20 minutes, and Yota drags Finlay up. Yota goes up and up but Finlay shoves him over! Yota’s on the apron, he and Finlay brawl! Yota ROCKS Finlay, but Finlay gets in Red Shoes’ face! Jake grabs at Yota, Yota kicks him away, but Finlay BLASTS Yota down and ELIMINATES him! The fans boo but the Dogs have made this 2v2! Finlay and Jake stand together, and they dare Naito & Hiromu to join them. Naito and Hiromu oblige as they step inside. Naito stares Jake down, Hiromu stares Finlay down, and they start swinging! The fans fire up, but then Finlay fireman’s carries Hiromu! Finlay aims for ropes!
Naito gets past Jake to save Hiromu, but then Jake BOOTS Naito down! Jake scrapes Naito out of the ring and goes after him, but Hiromu fireman’s carries Finlay! Hiromu runs at ropes and dumps Finlay out! Finlay stays on the apron but Hiromu SUPERKICKS! Finlay holds onto ropes and wobbles, but Hiromu builds speed! Hiromu DIVES and SUNSET FLIPS, but Finlay still holds on! Finlay throws down hands, gets back inside, he’s SAFE! Hiromu is also safe because he went through the second rope. Hiromu runs back in, but avoids Blue Thunder to wheelbarrow! But Finlay turns that into an IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER!
Hiromu writhes, the fans rally as hard as they can behind him, but Finlay drags Hiromu up. DOMINATOR! Cover, Naito breaks it! Jake stomps Naito and TOSSES him out! It was all second rope so Naito’s safe, but Finlay talks trash on Hiromu. Finlay drags Hiromu up, reels him in, suplexes, but Hiromu slips free! Finlay UPPERCUTS, and UPPERCUTS, and UPPERCUTS! Flashback to the 23rd! Hiromu just takes UPPERCUT after UPPERCUT from Finlay, but he doesn’t stop! Then he SUPERKICKS! Hiromu runs, but into another UPPERCUT! Finlay gets Hiromu up, but Hiromu RANAS Finlay up and out to ELIMINATE him!!
The fans are thunderous as The Rebel is shocked! Hiromu mocks him, but then Jake runs in! Hiromu gets under the boot to get under Jake! Jake fights Hiromu off, snarls, and then runs up! Hiromu dodges to kick a leg! Hiromu runs, but Jake kitchen sink knees! Jake takes aim, runs up, and FACE BREAK SHOT! Hiromu tumbles up and out and to the floor, Jake ELIMINATES him! And now, at 25 minutes in, we’re down to just Jake and just Naito! Naito slowly rolls into the ring as the fans rally behind him. Jake watches Naito stand, and the two stare down. Jake runs in but Naito dodges to fire off forearms!
Naito whips but Jake reverses to KNEE low! Jake fires up but fans boo as he stands Naito up. Jake reels Naito in for a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Naito protects the plate but Jake is aiming another heater! Jake waits as Naito stands, then winds up to choke grip! But Naito throws back elbows to get free! Naito then wrenches, TORNADO DDT! The fans fire up again while both men are down! Naito rises, he drags Jake up, and he throws those heavy back elbows! Jake crawls around, Naito brings him up, and Naito throws more heavy back elbows! Jake wobbles and staggers to the corner but Naito is right on him.
Naito brings Jake around for even more heavy back elbows! Jake falls over, the fans fire up, and Naito aims from the corner. Naito drags Jake up and in, but Jake BOOTS Naito down! Naito dangles off the apron! Red Shoes keeps the War Dogs from interfering, and Naito stands up. Jake aims, runs in, but Naito avoid the FBS! Naito drags Jake ot the apron, Jake elbows him back! Jake runs up, but into an ELBOW! Naito goes up and over, sweeps the legs, then BASEBALL SLIDE DROPKICKS! Jake falls, LIJ wins!!
Winners: Los Ingobernables de Japon, Naito as the lone survivor
It came down to the bottom of the ninth, technically speaking, and Naito just hit the walk-off homer! Jake is stunned and Finlay is frustrated, but Yota just smiles back at him. Finlay and Yota will have it out as part of Wrestling Dontaku Night One, who will be smiling then?
As for LIJ, they regroup in the ring and have their hands raised. Slyly’s even still hanging around! But uh, he’s a little too chunky to get in the ring, so he just settles for pumping up the crowd like he does at baseball games. Naito gets the mic to say that it was three months ago, the Splash Strong series back in January, since Naito was last in Hiroshima. Naito would like to thank the fans from coming here tonight, “Gracias, amigos.” The fans cheer, and Naito continues by saying, “Hiroshima is my second home. I really long to have a match at Mazda Stadium.” The fans love the sound of that!
Naito does preface that him saying that doesn’t mean there’s anything planned. So please, tranquilo, be patient, and look forward to the day that finally happens. So, shall they do it? The fans cheer again! So then, for the first time in Hiroshima Sun Plaza Hall in a year and eight months, is everyone ready? The fans cheer because they sure are! Well then, the only way to close The Road to Wrestling Dontaku here in Hiroshima… Bushi! Hiromu! Takagi! Titan! Yota! Slyly! Y Naito! NOSOTROS! LOS! INGOBERRRRNABLEEEES~! DE! JA! PON!! Slyly gets in on the roll call! Will all of LIJ have success as we reach Wrestling Dontaku next week?
My Thoughts:
A great event to conclude Road to Dontaku before getting to Wrestling Dontaku itself. An unfortunate change in the card, Sanada fell ill and could not compete, so his match alongside Taichi against Tanahashi & Tomoaki was changed into Tanahashi and a Young Lion VS Tomoaki and a Young Lion. Hopefully Cold Skull gets well soon. Great tag title match from TMDK VS GoD, and while I figured TMDK was going to retain, I didn’t think it’d be in a shady way like holding tights. While ZSJ VS Cobb for the NJPW World TV title is still to come, I doner of GoD shift gears and ELP becomes a singles guy so Leo and Loa can team up. Then ELP can challenge ZSJ in a battle of initials while the Brothers Guerrilla get to take on Shane & Mikey.
Great Rural Revitalization again, they managed to pull off great comeback spots each round. I was very surprised Yuya won out, I felt like Khan could’ve done one more Rural Revitalization before losing. But at the same time, Yuya feels like the unofficial fourth Reiwa Musketeer behind Narita, Shota & Tsuji. Yuya getting a title, any title, ahead of the others is good stuff for him, and could even bring about a feud with one of the Musketeers for the Summer. And then a great 10 Man Elimination Tag. I again really like that NJPW allows over the rope eliminations even in a tag match like this to really mix things up. Jake Lee not winning out for the War Dogs is really surprising, but I feel like that means Jake will defeat Naito 1v1.
My Score: 8.9/10
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It’s a violent end to a legendary friendship!
Former Best Friends, Trent Beretta & Chuck Taylor, have been through many Parking Lot Brawls, but this is their first time as enemies! Will there be broken bones to go along with the broken hearts?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Parking Lot Brawl: Trent Beretta VS Chuck Taylor; Trent wins.
- Thunder Rosa VS Deonna Purrazzo; Rosa wins.
- “Big Bill” Morrissey VS Trevor Blackwell; Bill wins.
- Katsuyori Shibata & Daniel Garcia VS Shane Taylor Promotions; Shibata & Garcia win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Parking Lot Brawl: Trent Beretta VS Chuck Taylor!
Years of friendship, thrown away, and why? Because #JustTrent had a problem with Freshly Squeezed having more success in AEW than them? Because #JustTrent had a problem with Cassidy as a person? Because #JustTrent turned out to be the selfish one in the relationship? Well, then will #JustTrent get his ass kicked? Or will he take advantage of how Chuckie T. is a Kentucky Gentleman?
Trent stares Chuck down while we hear the crowd of other wrestlers taunting him. Trent takes a swing, but Chuck dodges to fire off hands! The brawl is on, and Chuck gets the edge! Chuck ROCKS Trent, then SMACKS him off a car hood! And then off the car door! Chuck drags Trent up, but Trent RAMS Chuck into the car! And throat chops him just because! Trent gets space, runs back in, but Chuck dodges so Trent hits the passenger door! Chuck gets a trash can lid and he stands Trent up. Trent jumps through the open window but Chuck drags him back out. Trent kicks low, and he gives Chuck a CAR HOOD BACK SUPLEX!
Trent grabs the trash can lid, SMACKS Chuck right in the head and Chuck falls down! The crowd boos but Trent opens a car trunk to bring out a trash can, a dustpan and a baseball bat! Chuck storms up but Trent CHUCKS the trash can into Chuck’s face! Chuck flounders and Trent smirks. Trent SMACKS Chuck with the trash can, CLUBS him around, and Chuck is busted open! The white car has red polka dots on it now, and Trent talks trash, “This is what you wanted?!” Trent runs up, but Chuck POP UP POWERBOMBS Trent onto a car hood! Trent writhes, Chuck staggers around, and Chuck brings Trent around.
Chuck headlocks Trent before he SMACKS him off another car door. Trent goes around the back and then up onto a truck! Chuck follows, and he CLUBS Trent in the chest! But Trent slips under, and he CLAWS Chuck’s bloody face! Trent DECKS Chuck and Chuck falls through drywall sheets! Trent looms over Chuck as he crawls out of the wreckage. Trent stalks Chuck, brings him around and SMACKS him with the trash can lid! Trent hoists Chuck onto a car roof, SMACKS him again, then goes back to the truck. Trent climbs onto the roof of the truck, to FLYING ELBOW from car to car! Cover, TWO!!
Trent is furious, but Chuck is still in this as Rampage goes picture in picture.
Trent fumes, paces around, and goes back to the goodies. He brings out… Is that a screwdriver?! And he JABS Chuck in the head with it!! And then he DIGS it into Chuck’s forehead!! As if he wasn’t already bleeding badly!! Trent leaves Chuck behind, to fetch what looks to be a flat screen TV. Then he brings out a wood door!? Did someone visit Home Depot before coming here? Chuck CHOPS Trent in return then fires haymakers! Trent CLAWS Chuck’s face! Trent grabs that TV and CHUCKS it, only for Chuck to duck it! Rampage returns as TV screen hits windshield! Chuck kicks low to snap suplex Trent through the door!!
The crowd is losing its minds as Trent crawls. Chuck gets Trent’s legs, to CATAPULT him into the truck’s tailgate!! The crowd fires up while Chuck gets a sinister look on his face. Chuck takes a piece of that drywall to SMASH it on Trent! Chuck gets that trash can, he SMACKS Trent with it! Chuck sees the pile of extra goodies nearby, and he uncovers some light tubes! But first, he’ll clean up the mess, he SMACKS Trent with the dust pan! And SMACKS him again and again! And then one more shot with the trash can! Trent writhes, but Chuck drags Trent up. Chuck SMACKS Trent off the tailgate, then clears some space.
Chuck climbs up, but Trent ROCKET LAUNCHES him onto the light tubes!!! The tubes shatter under Chuck’s back! Trent sputters, he’s bloody now, too. Trent puts Chuck against the car hood and stands on him! Trent soaks up the heat, but Chuck TRIPS Trent! Trent writhes, Chuck reels Trent in, Canadian Rack, RAZOR’S EDGE onto a windshield!! Trent writhes while fans chant “HOLY CHUCK!” Chuck covers Trent on the hood, TWO!! Trent survives and hurries around the back of this sedan. Chuck snarls, goes up after Trent, and they meet on the roof. They’re both so bloody as they fire forearms back and forth!
The crowd cheers Chuck and boos Trent, and as the two swing wild, they end up HUGGING! You GOT to give the people what they want, right? They stand, Chuck ROCKS Trent and reels Trent in, but Trent LOW BLOWS!! Trent has Chuck now, PILEDRIVER ON THE CAR ROOF!!! And then, SNAKE BITE!! Trent is choking Chuck out!!! Chuck IS out, Trent wins!!
Winner: Trent Beretta, by submission
The Best Friends tore each other apart, but it is #JustTrent that stands tall in the end. He’s clearly lost the respect of his peers given how the other wrestlers are chanting “You Suck! You Suck!” But wait, Trent isn’t done? He has a monkey wrench!? Cassidy & Kris step forward to say no, this is going too far! Trent says this is all Cassidy’s fault! And SMASH, Trent hits Chuck’s leg with the wrench, and even shatters the glass behind it!! Chuck clutches the already recovering leg, and now Cassidy wants after Trent! Kris stops Cassidy, Trent’s still got the wrench! Trent escapes into the shadows of the arena, what darkness is living in Trent’s heart?
Don Callis is watching this.
And he seems to like the sadistic savagery he just witnessed. Trent may not have Best Friends anymore, but could he end up with a whole new family?
Backstage interview with Kyle O’Reilly.
Arkady Aura is with #CombatKyle and brings up his impressive showing in Dynamite’s Casino Gauntlet this past Wednesday. But we all want to know, what is next for her? Well, on Saturday, May 11th, AEW is coming to his hometown! Collision in Vancouver, British Columbia! The Rogers Arena, the same building an 11-year-old Kyle saw his first wrestling show ever. And at that show, Kyle told his dad that he was gonna do this one day. Papa O’Reilly said, “Oh yeah, sure you will, kid.” But somehow, Kyle pulled it off. 25 years later, he’s coming back home to do the one thing he’s ever been good at and that’s wrestling.
Kyle is going to take on the best wrestlers this world has to offer, right here in AEW, where the best wrestle. Kyle is ready for a fight, who will take him up on that in two weeks?
Thunder Rosa VS Deonna Purrazzo!
La Mera Mera and The Virtuosa could not coexist in the race for the AEW Women’s World Championship, and now they will Rampage against each other! Who will stand tall, ready for another shot at the title?
The bell rings and the fans rally up. Deonna and Rosa step up, talk a little trash, then Deonna pie faces Rosa! Rosa swings but Deonna catches the arm! Rosa avoids the takedown to knee low! They tie up again, go around and around, and Deonna puts Rosa in a corner. The ref counts, Rosa powers her way out but Deonna headlocks. Rosa powers up and out, but Deonna RAMS her! The two stay up, Deonna eggs Rosa on then kicks her low! Deonna whips, Rosa blocks the hip toss, but then Deonna blocks a hip toss! Rosa avoids the lariat to DECK Deonna! Rosa rains down fists but the ref reprimands.
Rosa sits Deonna up, clamps on a COBRA CLUTCH, and she grinds Deonna down. The fans rally but Deonna fights up. Deonna throws hands, then wrenches, but Rosa breaks free. Deonna BOOTS Rosa, then has the arm for the ARMBAR DDT! Deonna dusts herself off as she paces, then she KICKS Rosa’s arm. And KICKS it again! Rosa goes to ropes, Deonna pushes her down and ties her up in Paradise! Rosa is stuck, Deonna soaks up the cheers and jeers, and then runs to DROPKICK Rosa out of Paradise! Deonna stands Rosa up but Rosa ROCKS her first! Deonna stands, Rosa RAMS into her then bumps her off buckles.
Rosa goes up and up to leap, but Deonna blocks the rana and has a BOSTON CRAB! They’re in the ropes, the ref counts, and Deonna lets go. Rosa crawls to the corner, Deonna paces while soaking up the heat. Rosa stands, builds speed, and she WERCKS Deonna with a dropkick! Rosa fires up despite the pain in her back, and she kicks Deonna. Deonna stands, Rosa CHOPS her against the post! And CHOPS her again! Deonna ducks, Rosa chops post! Deonna SUPERKICKS Rosa down, and Rampage goes picture in picture.
Deonna steps on Rosa’s face, steps away, and Rosa staggers up to railing. Deonna storms up but Rosa kicks her low. Rosa then runs Deonna side to side to POST her! But then Deonna RAMS Rosa into apron! And SMACKS her off it! Deonna snarls, brings Rosa around, and she puts Rosa in the ring. Cover, TWO! Deonna clamps onto Rosa to pull her arms in, for a straitjacket stretch! Rosa endures, fights up, but Deonna turns that into a BACKSTABBER! Cover, TWO! Rosa is still in this, and she is feeding off the energy of the fans! Rosa stands, and she ELBOWS Deonna! And body shots! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS again!
Rosa has Deonna in a corner to UPPERCUT! Rosa runs corner to corner and back again, but Deonna dodges! Rosa POSTS herself and falls to the apron! Deonna storms back over, brings Rosa up and wraps the bad arm against ropes! The ref counts, Deonna KICKS the ropes as she lets off, and Rosa clutches the elbow. Deonna returns but Rosa RAMS into her! Deonna CLUBS Rosa, has her in a corner, and HEADBUTTS the lower back as Rampage goes to break.
Rampage returns and Deonna runs in, but into an ELBOW! And then a BOOT! Rosa goes up to MISSILE DROPKICK! The fans fire up with Rosa as she rises up! Deonna runs in, Rosa dodges to fire forearm after forearm! Deonna shoves, Rosa ENZIGIRIS! Rosa runs, to SHOTGUN BOOT! Deonna flounders to ropes, Rosa pounds the mat and the fans rally again. Rosa runs side to side to DROPKICK again! Cover, TWO!! Deonna toughs it out while Rosa shakes out her arm. Rosa drags Deonna up, but Deonna SOBATS! Deonna runs to KNEE LIFT and RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Deonna wants the Fujiwara but Rosa rolls free!
Deonna BOTOS Rosa down, covers, TWO! Rosa is still in this and the fans rally up. Deonna is frustrated but she fireman’s carries Rosa. Rosa fires elbows, waistlocks, but Deonna pries the hold open! Deonna waistlocks, Rosa victory rolls and STOMP 182! The fans rally up again and Rosa covers, TWO! Deonna stays in this but Rosa stays on her. Rosa drags Deonna to a drop zone, goes to a corner and climbs. But Deonna rises and catches the leap! FUJIWARA ARMBAR!! Rosa endures, reaches out, pushes Deonna over to get a REAR NAKED CHOKE!! Deonna is in the body scissors but she fights around!
Deonna rises, to BACKPACK SENTON! Deonna is free, the fans fire up, and Deonna brings Rosa back up. Deonna SLAPS Rosa, then reels her in! Gotch Hold, but Rosa jackknife bridges! TWO, Deonna sunset flips, TWO! Prawn hold, TWO! FUJIWARA!! Rosa rolls it to a cradle, ROSA WINS!!
Winner: Thunder Rosa, by pinfall
Deonna thought she had the perfect formula but Rosa says she just beat her at wrestling! But then Deonna CLOBBERS Rosa at the ramp! The fans boo but Deonna drags Rosa up to RAM her into the bleachers! Rosa slumps down, but Deonna digs her boot in! Deonna SLAPS Rosa around, tells the ref to shut up, and she SLAPS Rosa more! So Rosa SLAPS back! They brawl on stage and then out to the ledge of the upper level! The fans fire up as they keep going! Security rushes in, the fans boo, but Deonna flips Rosa off! It seems nothing was settled here, will these two look to go Double or Nothing?
Backstage interview with The Undisputed Kingdom.
Arkady Aura is with Roderick Strong, Matt Taven & Mike Bennett as she notes Will Ospreay is the NEW #1 Contender to the AEW International Championship. Taven says hold on, before we get started here, “Not Lexy,” as three guys who care deeply about neck health, and as two guys who nursed someone from the brink of paralysis (aka Roddy), The Kingdom wishes a very speedy recovery to “the world’s greatest boss. TK, stay strong, buddy.” Roddy then shouts that “WILL… Ospreay. Congratulations, you did it! You have signed, sealed and delivered the downfall, demise and destruction of The Aerial Assassin at Double or Nothing.”
Roddy says the world can sing Ospreay’s praises, but none of that matters when you step in the ring with Roddy. Just like all the ones before, Roddy will dismantle Ospreay, he will BREAK Ospreay, and he will make Ospreay fall in front of The Savior of the Backbreaker. Roddy’s confidence is strong, but will Roddy be the one feeling the End of Heartache after taking on the #BillyGOAT?
“Big Bill” Morrissey VS Trevor Blackwell!
The human skyscraper says he wants to sit under the Learning Tree, but Chris Jericho’s gonna need a bigger tree if he’s to give guidance to Big Bill. Will Bill prove he is worthy of The Wizard’s sage advice?
The moment Bill is in the ring, he SPLASHES Trevor right in the corner! The bell rings, Bill runs to BOOT Trevor down! Trevor flounders around, Bill runs corner to corner and SPLASHES again! Trevor flops around, Bill wants Jericho to watch this. Bill said he’d show Jericho he is worthy, and we do see Jericho watching backstage, holding the FTW Championship on his shoulder and oddly still wearing a #LionHook shirt… Jericho nods as Bill CLUBS Trevor on the back! Bill then tells Jericho to watch him! Scoop and BIG BOSS SLAM!! Cover, but Bill lets off! Bill wags his finger, he wants Jericho to see more.
Bill brings Trevor up, reels him in, and short arm LARIATS! Cover, but again Bill lets off! Bill is having too much fun at poor Trevor’s expect. Bill says Jericho’s gonna wanna teach him. Bill hoists Trevor up for the SKYSCRAPER CHOKE SLAM!! One foot cover, a very Jericho move, and Bill wins!
Winner: “Big Bill” Morrissey, by pinfall
Trev might want to change his last name to Well-done, because he got roasted. Bill wants Jericho’s guidance, does he even need it when he can do all this?
BREAKING NEWS for Rampage!
Rampage won’t be following up Collision next week but it also won’t be back on Friday just yet. For AEW’s return to Canada, Rampage is going to be BACK TO BACK with Dynamite! Get ready for a truly All Elite Wednesday!
Katsuyori Shibata & Daniel Garcia VS Shane Taylor Promotions!
The Wrestler said during Collision earlier tonight that he was going to take on Shane Taylor Promotions by himself if he had to, but then the Dragonslayer offered his help. Now they’re both going to take on #TAIGASTYLE and Big Bad Shaney T. himself! Garcia wears basic trunks and boots to match Shibata, will The Wrestlers win out? Or will STP rumble, bad man, rumble?
The moment all four men are in the ring, Shibata CLOBBERS Lee Moriarty and then he and Garcia both go after Shane! The fans fire up as they stomp and kick Shane right out of the ring! Then they go out to keep after him! Shibata whips and BOOTS Shane into railing! Garcia fires off on Lee, then Shibata adds an UPPERCUT! Shibata whips and BOOTS Lee against railing! Garcia stomps Shane, Shibata snap suplexes Lee to the floor! Shibata leaves them behind to go into the ring and sit cross-legged! Garcia sits with him! The fans fire up and the two go out again. The brawling continues but Shane throws heavy hands!
Lee ROCKS Garcia, Shane puts Shibata in, and Shane storms in after Shibata. Lee sends Garcia into railing, but Shibata fires hands on Shane! Shibata KICKS and KICKS, but Shane blocks the boot! Shane JABS Shibata and Shibata falls back! Shane talks trash, the fans boo, but Shane drags Shibata up. Shane HEADBUTTS Shibata, tags Lee, and they mug Shibata. Lee stomps a mudhole in, lets off as the ref counts, but he sneaks mule kicks on Shibata the whole time! Shibata trips Lee, stomps him, but Lee gets up to RAM into Shibata! Lee brings Shibata around, suplexes, but Shibata slips free to waistlock!
Lee elbows free, kicks, but Shibata blocks! Lee KNEES Shibata but Garcia tags in! Shibata BOOTS Lee, Garcia LARIATS! Garcia DROPKICKS Shane, gets around Lee, TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! And then another TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Garcia brings Lee up again but Lee suplexes! Garcia slips free, spins Lee and kicks low, to then TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! The trifecta is complete and the fans fire up! Garcia storms up on Lee, brings him up, and UPPERCUTS! The fans rally for Garcia, he CHOPS Lee to ropes. And CHOPS Lee against ropes! Garcia runs, but Shane trips him! Lee distracts the ref so Shane can DRAPING DDT to the floor!
Shibata protests but Lee mocks him by sitting cross-legged. The ring count climbs, Garcia drags himself up at 3 of 10, slides in at 5, but Lee stomps Garcia at the ropes! Lee drags Garcia up, bumps him off buckles, then tags Shane. Shane pushes Garcia against the buckles, to then CHOP! Garcia seethes and he fires forearm son Shane! The fans fire up, Garcia throws more shots, then leaps, but into Shane’s arms! Shane RAMS Garcia into a corner, then CHOPS! Shane runs up, but Garcia BOOTS! Garcia spins, but Shane ROCKS him first! And URENAGES! And then SPLASHES down! Cover, TWO!
Shane seethes but he keeps Garcia from Shibata, and Rampage goes picture in picture.
Shane mocks Garcia’s dance, drags him up, but Garcia CHOPS! Garcia staggers, but Shane fires body shots in the corner! Shane ROCKS Garcia, tags Lee, and STP mugs Garcia. Garcia flounders to ropes, Lee CHOKES him! The ref counts, Lee steps away, and he stomps Garcia around. Lee wraps an arm around the ropes, then fishhooks Garcia! The ref counts, Lee lets off, and Garcia feeds off the energy of the fans. Lee brings Garcia up but Garcia fires forearm sand CHOPS! Lee gets around, and GERMAN SUPLEXES! Cover, TWO! Garcia stays in this but Lee stays on him with a wrench. Tag to Shane, and Lee hooks Garcia up in a COBRA TWIST, just so Shane can KNEE Garcia down!
Shane has Garcia on ropes, ROCKS him with a forearm, then scoops him for SNAKE EYES! Garcia slumps down in the corner, Shane drags him back up, and TOSSES him out! Shane goes out to then put Garcia against railing. Shane ROCKS Garcia, talks trash on fans, then brings Garcia around to scoop and SLAM him to the floor! Shane talks more trash on the fans, Lee has him cool off, and Shane brings Garcia up again. Shane puts Garcia in, tags Lee, and then Lee clamps on with a top wristlock and stretches Garcia out! Garcia endures, turns to fight the pressure, but Lee CLUBS him down. Lee drags Garcia up, tags Shane, and Shane scoop SLAMS!
Shane runs to SPLASH Garcia again! Rampage returns to single picture, Shane drags Garcia to a drop zone, and he goes up a corner. The fans boo but Shane blows them a kiss. FALLING SPLASH FLOPS as Garcia moves! T he fans fire up, but Lee KICKS him down! Lee hurries back and tags in, then he drags Garcia up. Lee wrenches, wristlocks, but Garcia endures. Lee SNAPS the fingers! The fans boo Lee being so villainous, but he drags Garcia up. Lee bumps Garcia off buckles, Shane holds Garcia up, but Garcia fights free with boots and haymakers and elbows! The fans fire up, Garcia sends Lee into Shane!
Lee hurries to waistlock but Garcia switches, SAIDO! The fans are thunderous as Lee and Garcia crawl! Hot tags to Shane and Shibata! Shibata BOOTS Shane! Shane roars, Shibata runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges and BOOTS! Shibata whips to BOOT Shane in the corner! Shibata fires forearms, the ref counts, but Lee runs up. Shibata DECKS him! Garcia RAMS Lee into a corner, climbs up, and while Shibata fires forearms on Shane, Garcia rains down fists! Garcia goes all the way to nine, then DOES HIS DANCE! Shibata and Garcia coordinate, DOUBLE HYDRAULIC DROPKICKS! The fans fire up and Garcia stands Shane up. Shibata runs in to BOOT!
Shibata CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS Shane, then CHOPS, CHOPS and JABS! Garcia does his dance while Shibata JABS and CHOPS to the rhythm! The fans are loving this, as now Garcia runs in to KNEE Shane! Shibata & Garcia get Shane up, to DOUBLE SUPLEX!! Cover, ONE?!? Shane has power to spare, but Garcia BOOTS him! Shibata BOOTS him! They go again, but this time Shane DOUBLE SUPLEXES them!! The fans boo but Shane tags in Lee. Lee runs up to clothesline Shibata, and JAB! And CHOP! JAB! CHOP! JAB! CHOP! Shibata just scowls at Lee! Lee says okay, and he fires more JABS and CHOPS!
Shibata steps into the shots, so Lee eggs him on! Shibata ROCKS Lee! Shane runs up, HEADBUTTS, then Lee HALF HATCH SLAMS! Cover, TWO!! Shibata toughs it out and STP grows frustrated. Lee drags Shibata up, kicks then waistlocks, but Shibata fights the lift! Shane storms in, helps Lee put on the full nelson, and Shane promises to knock Shibata out! But Shibata BOOTS Shane first! Garcia jumps on for a SLEEPER! Shibata switches on Lee for a SLEEPER!! The fans fire up as STP start fading out! Shane fires up to RAM Garcia into buckles! But Shibata BOOTS him! And Garcia SAIDOS!! Shibata PENALTY KICKS Lee!! Cover, The Wrestlers win!
Winners: Katsuyori Shibata & Daniel Garcia, by pinfall
Shibata helps Garcia stand up, and Garcia is proud to have won alongside one of his heroes! And with the fans cheering him on, Garcia sets up… to DO HIS DANCE! Will this momentum help Shibata avenge Hook and take that FTW Championship off of Chris Jericho? Or will The Learning Tree have some things to teach Shibata?
My Thoughts:
A great Rampage here, though I was oddly more excited when I thought it was just Deonna VS Rosa and the Parking Lot Brawl. But even so, at least Bill squashing a dude was used in story. He was showing off, he’ll surely have Jericho’s blessing if he helps defeat Shibata on Dynamite, but a part of me almost wants this to be all a trap. Bill was teammates with Ricky Starks in a feud against Jericho, and if Jericho is being obliviously arrogant then maybe Bill is using that against Jericho, too. But either way, let’s just hope this story helps Bill get going rather than slow him down like the #JerichoVortex has always done.
The Parking Lot Brawl was moving maybe a bit fast for me, especially with how there were some obvious spots already set up when they arrived, such as the drywall draped across the truck bed. But they surely got bloody, and in the end, Trent won out because he was willing to sink to the lowest low. And then they’ve written Chuck off again with that monkey wrench to the shin, so Cassidy VS Trent is definitely a Double or Nothing match. And something is just telling me that if Kris is gonna turn out to be the villain in the Willow Nightingale story, she’s probably gonna screw Cassidy over to help Trent, too.
Really good match from Deonna VS Rosa, and with Rosa getting a quick pin then that brawl, we’re clearly getting more out of them. Good promo from Kyle O’Reilly to hype AEW’s newest Canada tour, and good promo from The Kingdom to tie in their old Neck Health Awareness gag to the Tony Khan piledriver angle. Roddy calling out Ospreay, I would definitely think Ospreay wins the title at Double or Nothing. And really good tag main event from Shibata & Garcia VS Shane Taylor Promotions. STP keeps getting great showings even in losing, but Lee took the loss here to keep Shane himself strong. Great win for Shibata but this just adds to the go-home math where Jericho retains the FTW Championship on Dynamite.
My Score: 8.7/10
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Join the Brothers Wortz as they cover professional sports in unprofessional ways!
Bandwagon Nerds #232: Superhero Madness- A Top Seed Falls
Superhero Madness continues and sees the first #1 seed fall!. Plus, a trailer for a new Transformers movie, and a...
Mitchell’s Hyrule Puro-Resu News Report! (4/20/24)
HPW looks to the horizon.
Bandwagon Nerds #231: Disney News & Superhero Madness
Round two of Superhero Madness begins this week. Cinema Con gives us plenty of Disney news and a trip to...
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Superhero Madness continues with first round battles in the Aliens bracket, plus Invincible Season 2 comes to an excellent conclusion.
Mitchell’s Hyrule Puro-Resu Results & Report! (4/1/24)
We got five on it!
Mitchell’s Road to Wrestling Dontaku Results & Report! (4/27/24)
Rural Revitalization continues!
Mitchell’s AEW Rampage Results & Report! (4/27/24)
Trent Beretta's on a Rampage!
Mitchell’s AEW Collision Results & Report! (4/27/24)
It's a slam dunk!
Mindless Wrestling Podcast: What Happened Last Week?
After a two-week hiatus, DJ gets to the bottom of why there was no podcast last week. Then, we skewer...
Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (4/26/24)
It's Draft Day!
DWI Podcast #427: Get Off My Back…lash
It's time to shake things up again!
Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 4.25.2024
We just got done with Rebellion, and Under Siege is two weeks away! Gotta see how these dots connect!
Mitchell’s ROH Results & Report! (4/25/24)
Champions need challengers!
Classic POD is WAR: @PattonOswalt
Tune in for another vintage episode of POD is WAR!!!
Mitchell’s AEW Dynamite Results & Report! (4/24/24)
Anybody can get it!
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