Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW Hyper Battle Results & Report! (4/9/22)
It’s a SIX TITLE MATCH finale!
What a great way to close out Hyper Battle 2022!
NJPW closes this blast from the past with an explosion of gold! The world title, junior title, world tag titles, junior tag titles, NEVER and KOPW, ON ONE SHOW!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- 8 Man Tag: JadoAce & Guerrillas of Destiny VS Bullet Club; JadoAce & GoD win.
- Tetsuya Naito & Shingo Takagi VS Will Ospreay & Aaron Henare; Naito & Takagi win.
- IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Ryusuke Taguchi & Master Wato VS El Phantasmo & Taiji Ishimori; Taguchi & Wato win.
- KOPW 2022 No Ropes Ring Out Match: Toru Yano VS Taichi w/ Miho Abe; Taichi wins and becomes the new Mr. KOPW 2022.
- NEVER Openweight Championship: EVIL w/ Dick Togo VS Hiromu Takahashi; Evil wins and retains the title.
- IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI VS Great-O-Khan & Jeff Cobb; Khan & Cobb win and become new IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions.
- IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: El Desperado VS SHO; Desperado wins and retains the title.
- IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Kazuchika Okada VS Zack Sabre Jr; Okada wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Ryusuke Taguchi & Master Wato VS El Phantasmo & Taiji Ishimori!
The Funky Weapon exposed the fix in the Headbanga’s boot, and then he and the Way of the Grandmaster took these belts in a fiery Fatal 4! But will the 69 come to an end? Or will Six or Nine shut down the Cutest Tag Team once again?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and the first of SIX title matches begins!
Fans rally up as ELP and Taiji Too Sweet, and then Taguchi and Wato double fist bump. Taiji and Taguchi start and fans rally up as they circle. They tie up, Taiji wrenches to a hammerlock then waistlock, but Taguchi drop toeholds. Taguchi floats to a headlock but Taiji slips out to hammerlock. Taguchi moves around but Taiji keeps on the hammerlock. They stand up, Taguchi wrenches back but Taiji rolls, kips up, cartwheels and wrenches to wrangle Taguchi down! Fans applaud the exchange, and Taiji brings Taguchi over. ELP tags in, climbs up, and he ax handles the arm! ELP wrenches, hammerlocks, and headlocks, but Taguchi slips out to hammerlock back!
Taguchi keeps on the hold and puts ELP in the corner. Tag to Wato, Taguchi hands off the arm for Wato to wrench. Wato headlocks, ELP powers out, things speed up, ELP hurdles and Wato leaps. ELP runs into the back elbow and uppercut but he avoids the sobat. ELP whips, Wato reverses but ELP rolls off his back. Wato runs to RANA! Fans fire up but ELP gets up, SOBAT hits after all! Wato DECKS Taiji for good measure, and he tags in Taguchi. Six or Nine double whip, double drop toehold, and roll to double basement dropkick! Fans fire up as Taiji runs in to get double hip toss, split the wishbone, and double basement dropkicks, too!
Wato bumps ELP off buckles in one corner while Taguchi bumps Taiji off buckles in another corner. They run corner to corner, Taguchi hip attacks Taiji and Taguchi hip attacks ELP. Then they go back the other way! Six or Nine whip ELP & Taiji at each other, but they do-si-do. Taguchi and Wato dodge to then do-si-do, but then Taiji & ELP dodge! Another do-si-do, but Taguchi and Wato tell them to stop! ENZIGURI IN STEREO! Fans fire up as Wato and Taguchi give thumbs up. Taguchi uses baseball signals and Wato brings the Cutest Tag Team up while Taguchi climbs a corner.
Taguchi arms the Funky Weapon, Wato brings Taiji and ELP over but they fight back! Taiji and ELP double whip Wato into Taguchi’s ass! Taguchi doesn’t realize what happened until he looks down! Taguchi sees Wato flop out of the ring, and then he looks back to see Taiji and ELP there. Taguchi turns around and ask they wait. He leaps, but they get clear of the Missile Hip. ELP kicks low and CLAWS Taguchi’s back! ELP and Taiji bring him to the corner, Taiji tags in, and fans rally as Taiji does his dance moves! Taiji jumps down to CLAW Taguchi! ELP and Taiji strut about, ELP tags back in, and fans rally up.
ELP goes corner to corner, somersaults, handsprings, drop steps, and hits a Liger pose to CLAW Taguchi! Cover, TWO! ELP drags Taguchi up, Taiji tags in, and they mug Taguchi. ELP even claws Taguchi on his way out! Taiji drags Taguchi up but Taguchi throws body shots. Taiji knees Taguchi low, whips, but Taguchi reverses. Taiji slips out, slides in, goes back out and shoulders Taguchi away, springboard SEATED SENTON! Cover, TWO! Fans rally but ELP tags in, and he CHOPS Taguchi on the ass! Snapmare and hip attack! ELP is mocking Taguchi but using his signature! ELP fires up, runs, but into a SOMERSAULT HIP ATTACK!
Fans fire up, hot tag to Wato! Wato dodges ELP, DECKS Taiji, then CLOBBERS ELP! Wato KICKS, whips and DROPKICKS! Wato whips ELP corner to corner, runs in but is put on the apron. Wato blocks to GAMANGIRI, but Taiji anchors him! Wato kicks Taiji away, springboards, into a DROPKICK from ELP! Cover, TWO! ELP drags Wato right up, puts him in the corner and tags Taiji. ELP ROCKS Wato, then Taiji snapmares for a NECK TWIST! Wato writhes but Taiji brings him up. Fans rally, Taiji puts Wato up and in a Tree of Woe. Tag to ELP, Taiji runs in to sliding dropkick! ELP runs in to sliding dropkick, too!
Fans rally again as ELP & Taiji both run, to then hop up and stand on Wato’s groin! The ref reprimands, Taguchi runs in but gets DOUBLE CHOPS! Taguchi falls over, Taiji & ELP go out and they each grab a leg. Wato fears for his life as they YANK Taguchi into Wato! And then Wato falls onto Taguchi! Talk about 69… ELP kicks Taguchi out of the ring and he drags Wato up. Wato throws body shots and forearms, then CHOPS! Wato whips corner to corner but ELP goes up and over, ducks and springboards, CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO, but ELP handsprings to a LIONSAULT, and FLOPS as Wato moves!
Fans rally, Wato crawls but ELP drags him away. Wato kick ELP away, Taiji tags in, and Taiji gets ahead of Wato to DECK Taguchi off the corner! Taiji stomps Wato, drags him back up, and scoops to SLAM him! Tag to ELP, and ELP kicks Wato around. Taiji adds stomps, but fans rally up for Wato. Cutest Tag Team double whip, but Wato holds ropes! Wato sobats ELP, front kicks Taiji, and brings them both in, COMPLETE SHOT DDT COMBO! Fans fire up while all three men are down and Taguchi returns! Wato crawls over, hot tag to Taguchi! Taguchi HIP ATTACKS ELP, then HIP ATTACKS Taiji!
The Cutest Tag Team end up on opposite ends, and fans rally as Taguchi starts up the Hip Attack Train! One for ELP, then for Taiji, and back again! Baseball slide APRON HIP for ELP! Taguchi aims, springboards, MISSILE HIP for them both! Fans continue to fire up and Taguchi brings ELP up. Taguchi snap suplexes, Uno Amigo! Another, Dos Amigos! Taguchi goes for the third but ELP resists! They fight for suplex control, and Taguchi puts ELP up top! Fans rally, Taguchi moves aside for Wato’s STEP-UP KNEE! Taguchi then goes up top, SUPERPLEX! Wato adds a PENALTY KICK! SLIDING HIP from Taguchi! Cover, TWO!
Fans rally up again as Taguchi tags Wato. Six or Nine brings ELP up to double whip corner to corner. Taguchi hip attacks, Wato BOOTS, and Taguchi returns for another HIP ATTACK! Taguchi sets ELP in the drop zone, Wato is up top, DOUBLE STOMPS! Cover, Taiji breaks it! Taguchi returns but Taiji dumps him out! Taiji kicks and whips Wato, runs in and DOUBLE KNEES! ELP Electric Chair Lifts Taiji, ASSISTED CODE BREAKER! Taiji holds Wato down, ELP goes up, MOONSAULT KNEE SANDWICH! Cover, TWO! Wato survives and fans fire up! ELP drags Wato up and over, tags in Taiji, then torture racks Wato.
Taiji springboards, FLYING KNEE, and then he keeps going to TRIANGLE JUMP MOONSAULT onto Taguchi! ELP keeps the rack spinning, for a HUGE SWINGING NECKBREAKER! Taiji returns to cover, TWO!! The fans are all fired up but the Cutest Tag Team is furious! Taiji tags ELP back in, and ELP goes up. Taiji gut wrenches, for CIPHER UTAKI! ELP aims, THUNDER KISS 86!! Cover, Taiji intercepts Taguchi, but Taguchi powers through to break it! Fans fire up again and Taguchi runs, into Taiji’s BOOT! Taiji BOOTS Wato back down! ELP says they’ll end this now! Taiji gets Wato set up and ELP tunes the band!
But Wato blocks Sudden Death?! He sends it at Taiji but Taiji ducks, only for Wato to ROUNDHOUSE him down! Wato then leaps at ELP, JUMPING COMPLETE SHOT! Fans fire up and Wato sees Taguchi at the corner! Hot tag to Taguchi! Taguchi wants ELP to stand up! Springboard, but into an ATOMIC DROP! Taguchi is stuck on ropes, SUDDEN DEATH to the ass! ELP reels Taguchi in, tucks the arms, but Taguchi back drops free! ELP sunset flips but Taguchi rolls through, to jackknife! TWO!! Taguchi hurries back up, ELP gets him for a backslide! TWO, and Taguchi La Magistrols! TWO!! Fans rally up again as Taguchi checks the count.
ELP rushes in, but into a fireman’s carry! ELP sunset flips but the tights come down! Taguchi has red undies on as he sits on the cover! Six or Nine wins!!
Winners: Ryusuke Taguchi & Master Wato, by pinfall (still IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions)
ELP sputters and coughs from having Taguchi’s cheeks in his face! Will he ever get the stench of defeat off him? As for Taguchi & Wato, will they keep winning by the seats of their pants?
KOPW 2022 No Ropes Ring Out Match: Toru Yano VS Taichi w/ Miho Abe!
The Producer and the Holy Emperor are taking this wild and sometimes wacky championship trophy to another level, by taking this old school! It’ll be a sumo style match, where there are no ropes, and you win when your opponent gives up, your take their belt belt, or you throw your opponent out! Taichi is so dedicated, he has a kimono and a pillow to sit on! Yano has his signature red folding chair, but also a belt.
As the ropes are removed, Yano gets impatient and nervous, but Taichi practically meditates. Fans applaud as the ring transformation is done, and Miho gives Taichi his nose spray. Perhaps he has allergies now that it’s Spring? Yano and Taichi step up into the ring and fans rally, “Y T R!” “TA-I-CHI!” The introductions are made, the trophy is raised, and Taichi even takes off the pants right away! The belts are strapped on, and it’s time to see who is the Yokozuna of NJPW on top of Mr. KOPW!
Taichi rushes Yano right away! Yano barely holds off, uses the corner post to get away, and fans cheer that first exchange. Yano and Taichi circle, Yano kicks low and whips! Taichi reverses but Yano reverses and back again! They go around and around, they ref almost goes with them! They all get back to center and fans rally up. Taichi and Yano reset, and Yano forearms but Taichi kicks! Forearm, kick, forearm, kick, repeat! Yano then rakes Taichi’s eyes! Yano scoops but Taichi slips off! Taichi waistlocks, Yano switches, Taichi switches, repeat! Yano grabs the ref again, and LOW BLOW MULE KICKS! But Taichi stays up and ENZIGURIS!
Fans fire up as both men are down! Taichi tries to point out what Yano did but it doesn’t really matter now. Fans rally and Taichi slowly sits up. Taichi gets to his feet, fans rally up, and Yano sits up. Taichi kicks but Yano gets under and shoves! Taichi stays away from the edge, so Yano shoves the ref at him! Taichi stays put, Yano runs in, but Taichi moves and Yano shoves the ref OFF the ring! The ref hits railing and is down, Taichi hits AX BOMBER! Taichi powers up and takes his sumo stance, but Yano dodges the elbow! Taichi holds onto the post, and Yano goes to push him off! Taichi rakes Yano’s eyes, and they switch positions!
Taichi tries to CHOKE Yano off the post, but Yano rakes Taichi’s eyes! Taichi staggers away, Yano runs in, but Taichi chokes! Yano arm-drags Taichi away! Taichi gets mad now, he eggs Yano on, and they sumo clinch! Taichi tries to throw Yano but Yano shifts around! They both pull the belts and fans fire up as they’re in a deadlock! Taichi powers up but Yano lifts Taichi! But Taichi turns it with a half nelson and he throws Yano OUT! Taichi wins!!
Winner: Taichi, by ring out (NEW Mr. KOPW 2022)
The Holy Emperor has dethroned the Clown Prince! Yano takes his leave, but will he be back for this trophy soon enough? Speaking of, Taichi accepts the trophy and holds it high! Miho helps Taichi take the belt off and put his robe back on, then Taichi gets the mic.
“I told you I’d win this and bring it to a new stage. And I said I’d take this to the main event. I’ll stay true to my word and do just that.” Fans cheer that sentiment, and Taichi says, “Who is a deserving challenger? Former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, TAKAGI!” Taichi is calling out the Rampaging Dragon! Taichi knows Takagi has time on his hands right now. So Taichi will let Takagi challenge him! Fans like the sound of that, and Taichi says, “Takagi, I can do anything! Even play Kick the Can, ya bastard! I’ll paint KOPW in MY colors, you fools!” What will Takagi have to say about being called out like this?
SANADA is here!
The IWGP US Heavyweight Champion is here, clean shaven and with short hair. He lost in the New Japan Cup due to an orbital bone injury, but it seems he’s back to address the crowd. “In March, I suffered a fractured orbital bone at my left eye. I’ve been sidelined since, and not sure of when I’ll return. So as champion, it’s my duty to relinquish this title for now. Not to get ahead of myself, but I’d like the former champion, Tanahashi, to win this belt back.” Fans applaud that idea. Sanada says when he returns, he wants to beat Tanahashi for this belt again! Fans also cheer that idea!
Wait, here comes Will Ospreay! “Are you for real?!” Ospreay says no, and he gets in the ring. Ospreay snatches the mic. “We ain’t doing this again, Bushido. They tried screwing me on my World Heavyweight Championship, they screwed me on my New Japan Cup, and now, you’re trying to do this again?! Don’t think so! Sanada, I’d like to say I’m sorry for your eye injury, but I’m not sorry! Learn how to protect yourself, mate!” So what Sanada is doing right now is surrendering the title to Ospreay, since he’s the one who caved Sanada’s face in! “Give me the United States Championship right now!” Sanada refuses but Ospreay says, “NOW.”
Wait, here comes The Ace! Ospreay says no, go away, shoo! Go away, this is about Ospreay. Give him the US title! But Tanahashi gets in the ring and gets in Ospreay’s face. Ospreay wants Tanahashi to understand he’s doing something so piss off. But Sanada takes the mic from Ospreay, and he gives it to Tanahashi! Tanahashi tells Ospreay, “SHUT UP! Let me tell you something. I have a good idea. We fight for the US Heavyweight Championship at Fukuoka!” Fans really like the sound of that! Ospreay asks if Tanahashi remembers the last time these two faced off. But fans applaud, “Let’s Go, Ace!”
Ospreay says fine! If that’s what Tanahashi wants, Ospreay will see him there! Ospreay grumbles all the way to the back, and Tanahashi tells “Sana-yan. Get well. I’ll be waiting.” Fans applaud that and Tanahashi offers the mic back. Sanada takes it, and says, “OI, Ryogoku! See you next time!” When and where will we see Sanada again? And who will he be chasing for the IWGP US Heavyweight Championship when the time comes?
NEVER Openweight Championship: EVIL w/ Dick Togo VS Hiromu Takahashi!
The King of Darkness is also the King of NEVER, as he and the House of Torture still have the Six Man Tag titles. but will the Ticking Timebomb blow that all up? Or will Hiromu have to accept that Everything is Evil?
Hiromu is wearing new black pants, with Evil’s name written all over them! Is this Hiromu getting in Evil’s head? Or a sign that Evil is in Hiromu’s? The introductions are made, the singles belt is raised, and we see if Darkness Falls on Hiromu-chan World!
Dick and Evil Too Sweet but fans rally up for “HI-RO-MU!” The bell rings, but Evil bails right out. Hiromu eggs Evil on but Evil goes looking under the ring. The ref reprimands but Evil still brings out chairs! Hiromu dares Evil to do something then, but when Evil hesitates, Hiromu rushes out after him! Evil hurries to get back in the ring, but Hiromu slides back in, too! Hiromu was a step ahead and fans applaud. Evil eggs Hiromu on, and Hiromu rushes in, but Evil catches him in a clinch! But Hiromu escapes Everything to fireman’s carry! Evil slips out, fireman’s carries back but Hiromu slips out! Hiromu reels Evil in, but Evil escapes before he can steal the STO!
Fans cheer this exchange but Evil bails out of the ring. Hiromu eggs Evil on but Evil talks with Dick. Hiromu isn’t thrown off, he is ready for Evil as he gets in with a kick. Hiromu whips, Evil reverses but Hiromu sees Dick there and slows down. Hiromu also doesn’t let Evil get at him, he goes out to egg Dick on! The ref reprimands Dick and Evil protests, but the ref tells Dick to go around the corner. But Hiromu eggs Dick on more with some “Kiss this!” Dick is furious, especially as Hiromu taunts him with… nipples? But Hiromu then drags Evil out of the ring to RAM into railing! Commentary almost falls over!
Hiromu gets on the apron and he FLYING SHOTGUNS Evil into more railing! Hiromu hurries to the other side and hops back onto the apron, another FLYING SHOTGUN! Fans fire up with Hiromu and he mockingly asks Evil what’s wrong. Hiromu drags Evil up, but Dick barks at Hiromu. Hiromu eggs Dick on, then Hiromu chases him! Dick gets in the ring and Hiromu follows, Evil CLOBBERS Hiromu! The King of Darkness pulled off a trick after all! Fans rally up for “HI-RO-MU!” but Evil drags him up. Evil throws Hiromu out, then goes out after him, to RAM into the timekeeper’s area! Down goes Abe-san!
Evil drags Hiromu up and away while the ref is busy with helping Abe-san. Evil puts a chair around Hiromu’s head and then he gets the other, HOME RUN! Hiromu flops down and Evil leaves him behind. Fans rally up for Hiromu but Evil stands on a corner triumphantly. Dick eggs Hiromu on now but Hiromu gets himself up. The ring count climbs, Evil sits in the middle of the ring as he waits. The count is 10 of 20 and Hiromu drags himself up. Hiromu staggers into the ring at 13! But Evil is there to kick at him and taunt him. Hiromu throws chops but they’re not that strong, so Evil whips him into bare buckles!
The blue buckle pad is gone, the Bullet Club Special comes into play! Evil pushes Hiromu over and covers, but the ref refuses! He’s learned from Red Shoes not to take any of these shenanigans lightly! Evil is mad, he throws Hiromu out and argues with the ref, but Dick taunts Hiromu. Hiromu takes a swing but Dick dodges. Dick then DECKS Hiromu! The ref misses it, Dick puts Hiromu in, Evil covers, TWO! Evil tries again, TWO! Another cover, TWO!! Not even the deep leg hook worked! Fans rally up for “HI-RO-MU!” as he grits his teeth. Evil storms up to Hiromu but Hiromu CHOPS! Evil still isn’t bothered, he rakes eyes and whips!
Hiromu ducks and dodges to RANA! Fans rally up again and Hiromu stands at the ropes. Evil runs in, into a BOOT! Hiromu hooks up a HANGING HEADSCISSOR! Hiromu lets go as the ref counts, and Hiromu RAMS Dick into railing! Commentary almost falls over all over again! Hiromu gets back in to run at Evil in the corner, clothesline! Snapmare and basement dropkick! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up again for “HI-RO-MU!” as both men are down. Hiromu gets up and he hobbles over to drag Evil up by his hair. Hiromu reels Evil in, but Evil fights the suplex by pulling Hiromu’s hair!
The ref reprimands, Hiromu breaks free but Evil pokes him in the eye! Evil whips Hiromu but he stops himself! Hiromu then dodges Evil and Evil hits steel! Hiromu fireman’s carries, CORNER DEATH VALLEY, but to the red corner! Fans fire up with Hiromu as he drags Evil up. Another fireman’s carry but Evil slips away and goes outside. Hiromu follows, chases Evil back to the ring, but Evil stays on the apron. Hiromu sunset flips but Evil holds onto ropes! Dick creeps over but Hiromu BOOTS him! Then he POWERBOMBS Evil onto Dick! Fans fire up as Hiromu grins. Fans rally up, “HI-RO-MU!” but Hiromu changes the rhythm to “CLAP! CLAP! CLAP!”
Hiromu builds speed as he makes a full lap around the ring! He comes in, but Evil uses a Young Lion as a shield! Then Evil rakes Hiromu’s eyes, and reels him in, FISHERMAN BUSTER to the floor! They are both down but fans rally back up with “HI-RO-MU!” Evil drags himself up with the railing, and he hobbles over to Hiromu. Evil drags Hiromu up, puts him in the ring, and then he reels Hiromu in for a fireman’s carry. DARKNESS FALLS! Cover, TWO!! Hiromu survives and Evil is furious, but the fans continue to rally! Evil slashes his throat, drags Hiromu up, and EVERYTHING- NO! Hiromu clamps on with a clinch!
Evil CLUBS Hiromu down but Hiromu just gets up to clinch again! Evil grabs Hiromu’s hair and throws him down! The ref reprimands, the fans rally up, but Evil stands on Hiromu’s neck. The ref reprimands more, Evil steps off, and he throws his elbow pad at Hiromu. Evil runs, into a SUPERKICK! Hiromu fires up and the fans are with him! Hiromu runs but Dick trips him up! Evil gets in the ref’s face, Hiromu swings on Dick but into the SPOILER CHOKER! But Hiromu fights the choker off! Hiromu’s free, Evil runs in, but Hiromu dodges and sends Evil into Dick! Evil comes back, drags Hiromu up, but Hiromu wrenches into a pump handle! HIROMU ROLL!
But Dick gets in the ring and distracts the ref!! Hiromu would’ve won by now!! Hiromu lets Evil go, but Evil shoves him into the ref! The ref is down, Dick stomps away on Hiromu! Evil joins in, and then they decide to put one out on Hiromu. They get Hiromu up, but Hiromu fights off Magic Killer! Hiromu then lifts Evil and puts him on Dick’s shoulders, to steal MAGIC KILLER!! Dick can’t believe it! Dick hurries after Hiromu but Hiromu gives him EVERYTHING IS EVIL! Hiromu fires up and the fans are thunderous! Hiromu kicks Dick out, drags Evil back up, fireman’s carry for TIMEBOMB!! Cover, TWO!?!
Evil survives and fans are thunderous again! They rally for “HI-RO-MU!” as hard as they can! Hiromu gets back up, he drags Evil back up but in a dragon sleeper. Evil fights with haymakers, but Hiromu turns him around, for VICTORY ROYALE! Cover, TWO! Hiromu roars and fans fire up again! Hiromu tries the dragon sleeper again but Evil fights free. Evil shoves the ref away before the LOW BLOW MULE KICK! But then Hiromu LOW BLOW UPPERCUTS! Both men are even and fans rally up! Hiromu growls and gets up. Hiromu runs, Evil uses the ref as a shield! Hiromu pushes the ref aside, EVERYTHING-
NO! Hiromu fights it off and tries to steal it, but Evil fights that off! Evil swings but Hiromu spins him around, and wrenches to pump handle, HIROMU ROLL! TWO!! Evil is surprised, too! But Hiromu dodges to HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER! Fans are thunderous again and Hiromu roars! Hiromu drags Evil back up, dragon sleeper and inverted suplex, but Evil slips off and whips Hiromu into the bare buckles! But Hiromu comes right back?! Into EVERYTHING IS EVIL!!! Cover, Evil wins!!
Winner: Evil, by pinfall (still NEVER Openweight Champion)
Hiromu’s fury blows up in his face! Evil survives the Timebomb, but will Hiromu try again some day? But wait, here comes Tama Tonga! Evil runs away before the Good Bad Guy even gets in the ring! But wait, here comes Yujiro Takahashi! Tokyo Pimp attacks Tama, bumps him off buckles, then he and Evil stomp away! But here comes Tanga Loa! Silverback scoops Yujiro for APE SHIT!! Evil runs in, into a BOOT! GUN STUN!! Fans fire up and Tama gets a mic to say, “Evil! You betrayed me. I’ll never forget you. It’s time for my payback. I will get my revenge.” Is GoD going to tear down the House?
IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI VS Great-O-Khan & Jeff Cobb!
#BISHAMON was accused of committing the crime of bringing weapons to this “sacred” ring, but the United Empire is not the law! Will the Fierce Warrior & Head Hunter defy the Dominator and the Hawaiian Hulk? Or will Khan & Cobb conquer them and the Heavyweight Tag Division?
The introductions are made, Khan flaunts his certificate of heroism, the belts are raised, and the winners here will define justice!
Khan starts and he offers Goto a handshake. Cobb isn’t sure, but the fans rally for it. Goto accepts the handshake! Fans applaud the sportsmanship, and then Cobb offers a handshake to Hashi. Hashi accepts, fans applaud again, but Goto-Hashi anticipated the cheap shots! They block the kicks, Hashi dropkicks Cobb’s other leg and Goto knees Khan low! Goto CLUBS Khan and the bell rings to get this on record! Goto-Hashi double whip Khan to ropes, then run him over! Hashi runs, hip toss senton! Cobb returns, he blocks Goto’s drop toehold, but Hashi dropkicks the other leg out! Cobb falls onto Khan!
Fans rally up as Goto-Hashi hammer away on Cobb! They CLUB him back down onto Khan! Then they throw Cobb out and drag Khan back up. They hammer him, too! Fans fire up and Hashi stays in with Khan. Hashi CLUBS Khan, but Khan gets up and eggs him on. Hashi CHOPS Khan and Khan drops to a knee! Khan gets up to grab Hashi’s ear! the ref reprimands but Khan CLUBS the air! Khan whips, Hashi reverses but Khan reverses back, and reels Hashi into some kinda snap swinging neckbreaker, with a fisherman hold! TWO, but Khan hurries to toss Hashi! Khan DECKS Goto and Cobb stomps Hashi!
Cobb digs his knee into Hashi while Khan stomps away on Goto by the railing! The ref reprimands and Khan lets off to egg Goto on. Cobb RAMS Hashi into railing, Khan gets in the ring, and Cobb puts Hashi in. Cover, TWO! Fans rally but Khan drags Hashi up and over. Tag to Cobb, they mug Hashi, and then Cobb CLUBS Hashi on the back. Cobb stands on Hashi and uses him as a surfboard! Cobb mocks Goto’s chi hand sign then he steps off. Goto coaches Hashi but Cobb whips him to ropes. Hashi dropkicks the legs! Then gets a leg for a DRAGON SCREW! Fans rally up and Hashi crawls over, but Khan trips Goto off the apron!
Cobb drags Hashi up, reels him in and CLOBBERS him from behind! Khan sends Goto into railing, then Cobb hauls Hashi for a RUNNING SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! Fans rally but Cobb drags Hashi up and puts him in the corner. Tag to Khan, Khan sits up on Hashi’s head! Cobb taunts Goto but the ref keeps him back. Khan pulls on Hashi’s arms but the ref counts. Khan hops off and pushes Hashi down, to then put him in the THRONE CRADLE! TWO, but Khan BOOTS Hashi down! Cover, Goto breaks it! Fans rally as Khan warns Goto. Khan wants to make Hashi kiss his boot, but Hashi fights up to throw body shots!
Khan CLUBS Hashi, whips him to ropes, but Hashi hits a BLOCKBUSTER! Fans fire up, Hsahi crawls, hot tag to Goto! Goto DECKS Cobb, but Khan CLUBS Goto! Khan ROCKS and Mongolian Chops! Khan whips, Goto reverses and runs in to MURAMASA! Then BULLDOG! Cover, TWO! Fans rally behind Goto as he drags Khan up. Khan breaks free, kicks low and runs, but Goto follows to then LARIAT! Cobb gets in, Goto kicks him and reels him in, but Cobb suplexes Goto instead! Goto slips out but Cobb elbows him away. Cobb gets Khan up, they go after Goto and mug him in the corner. They whip corner to corner, Goto dodges Khan to CLOBBER Cobb!
Goto then fireman’s carries but Khan slips off! Khan waistlocks but Goto backs him into the corner! Hashi runs in, corner clothesline for Khan! Feed to Goto’s kick, and he hooks Khan up, GOTO GOTO HUNT! Fans fire up and they drag Khan back up! Dragon sleeper and leg lift, but Khan kicks Hashi away! Goto fires off knees, and URA GTR! Cover, TWO! Khan survives but Goto keeps focus. Goto dragon sleepers, but Cobb CLOBBERS Goto! Cobb hurries to his corner and fans rally up. Goto and Khan slowly stir, they go forehead to forehead, and they throw forearms! Fans rally as they go back and forth, harder and harder!
Goto gets the edge, Khan staggers but he kicks low! Mongolian Chop! Khan tries another but Goto blocks! Goto knees low, runs, but into a drop sayanagi! Fans fire up and Khan tags in Cobb! Cobb drags Goto up, CHOPS him and throws forearms and uppercuts! Then a DROPKICK! Goto ends up in a corner, Cobb hauls him up to whip into the corner! Then RUNNING BACK SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULT FLOPS as Goto dodges! Fans fire up, Goto crawls and tags in Hashi! Hashi dropkicks Cobb’s leg again! Then runs in to clothesline at the corner! Hashi puts the leg on ropes, runs side to side and dropkicks the leg!
Cobb staggers, Hashi turns him, NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up more and Hashi whips Cobb to a corner. Hashi runs in to CHOP! And whips Cobb, only for Cobb to TACKLE him into the corner! Khan runs in to clothesline! Cobb hits a back elbow! Feed to Khan’s HITSUJIGOROSHI! Cobb gets the legs, Khan thrashes Hashi, inside the Fubuki, and then they hit MARINE! GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULT! Cover, Goto breaks it! Khan CLUBS Goto and throws him out! The Empire coordinates, they drag Hashi up, Cobb fireman’s carries and Khan runs, but Goto trips Khan up! Hashi slips off but Cobb switches!
Hashi fights the suplex, breaks free with an elbow, and he baits Cobb into the fireman’s carry! SUPERKICK and USHIGOROSHI! The Fierce Flash hits, but that’s not all! Bishamon drags Cobb back up and fans rally! Dragon sleeper, leg lift, but Khan HELL STABS Hashi! And BOOTS Goto! Hashi runs back in and LARIATS Khan down! Fans fire up with Hashi and he eggs Cobb on! Cobb stands, Hashi runs, LARIAT! Cobb stays up so Hashi fires off forearms and a CHOP! Hashi whips, Cobb reverses to reel Hashi in, ATHLETIC PLEX! Cover, TWO! Hashi survives and fans fire up again! Cobb hurries and hauls Hashi back up!
Cobb whips, but Hashi LARIATS! Cobb stays up to ROCK Hashi with a forearm! Hashi SUPERKICKS back! Hashi reels Cobb in, for a DESTROYER!! Hashi WRECKS Khan with a dropkick! Goto returns, fans are thunderous, and they get Cobb back up! SHOUTO!! Cover, Khan barrels through Goto to break it!! Fans are thunderous again while all four men are down! Goto snarls and he drags Khan back up. Khan clamps on the IRON CLAW! But Hashi SUPERKICKS Khan down! Bishamon reset and get Cobb up, but Cobb fights free of the leg lift! Hashi tries the pump handle but Cobb fights that, too!
Cobb gets free but Hashi LARIATS, and Goto HEADBUTTS! Hashi rolls Cobb up, TWO!! Hashi gets a KNEEBAR! And Goto intercepts Khan with an STF!! The Empire endures, Khan fights up but Goto still has a SLEEPER! Cobb pries at the hold, Goto throws Khan out and it’s all on Hashi! Cobb kicks with his free leg, fans are thunderous, Khan throws Goto into railing! Cobb gets Hashi’s arm and Khan gets the IRON CLAW on Hashi! Khan drags Hashi off Cobb for the ELIM- NO! Hashi slips out, full nelsons then pump handles, but Khan slips out of Karma! Feed to Cobb’s BIG forearm! IRON CLAW, pump handle?! ELIMINATOR MKII!!
But Goto returns! He fires off forearms on The Empire, and especially on Cobb! But Goto turns around into a Mongolian Chop! Khan runs, but Goto follows! Only for Cobb to fireman’s carry! Khan runs in, IMPERIAL DROP!! Fans are electric as Khan drags Hashi up with the Iron Claw! Feed to TOUR OF THE ISLANDS!! Cover, the Empire wins!!
Winners: Great-O-Khan & Jeff Cobb, by pinfall (NEW IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions)
Bishamon loses, Chaos has been conquered! Cobb shouts, “I told you!” and Khan even has his certificate to hold up alongside these belts! Khan gets the mic to say, “Hail us, peasants!” Fans applaud but Khan says, “I can’t hear you! You are in the presence of the NEW tag champions! HAIL US!” The fans do applaud louder, Khan says, “Justice always prevails. Understand? You guys are the bad guys! Bishamon sounds like a punk rock band.
“Hey, what’s with that face? Are you crying? Would pancakes make you feel better? Without the belts, you’re nothing again! Are you asking for another chance? If you beg and plead, perhaps we’ll give you another chance.” But try as they might, they won’t beat Khan and Cobb! They are the United Empire, HAIL THEM! Now that Khan & Cobb have these belts, will the Empire be dripping with gold?
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: El Desperado VS SHO!
The Rogue Luchador has been ambushed and blindsided and beat up by the Murder Machine time and again, and enough is enough! Will Desperado give it all back to Sho with interest? Or will the House of Torture have even more gold now?
Sho makes his entrance, but then hurries to find a hiding place as Desperado makes his entrance! Sho pounces on Desperado from the bleachers! The tricks start early with Sho, and he POSTS Desperado! Sho grabs the IWGP title but the ref tells him to give it over. Sho says fine, but it’ll be his soon enough! Sho drags Desperado up and into the ring, then the bell sounds to make this official. Sho then just throws Desperado back out! Sho whips Desperado into railing! Desperado staggers and stumbles away but Sho chokes him with a shirt! The ref reprimands, Sho lets go and the ref confiscates the shirt.
Sho stomps Desperado, drags him up and whips him into more railing! Desperado drops to the floor, and Sho hurries to bring out a chair. The ref stops Sho from approaching Desperado with that chair, so Sho lets him have it. But Desperado fires back with forearms! Sho rakes Desperado’s eyes! And whips again, only for Desperado to reverse and send Sho into railing! Desperado then clotheslines Sho over the railing and into the front row! Sho writhes right in front of fans as they rally up! Desperado pours out a bottle of water on Sho’s head! He claims he’s helping Sho refresh himself.
Desperado drags Sho up by his ear, and CHOPS him off his feet! The ref reprimands, he wants this back in the ring, but Desperado stomps away on Sho! Then Desperado dribbles Sho’s head off the floor! The ref reprimands, Desperado stops but also argues with the ref. Desperado then drags Sho up, puts him in, and fans cheer. Desperado drags Sho up as fans rally, and Desperado whips corner to corner hard! Desperado then runs in to clothesline! Sho sits down so Desperado stomps away! The ref reprimands and Sho sputters, but Desperado gives him more stomps! The ref has Desperado back off, but Desperado goes back for more!
Fans rally but the ref makes Desperado let off. Desperado shoves the ref over! Sho gets up and he throws forearms. Desperado doesn’t budge and he just eggs Sho on. Sho throws another forearm but Desperado SLAPS him down! Desperado stands Sho back up, whips him to ropes, but Sho reverses. Desperado holds ropes, Sho runs in but is sent tumbling out! Desperado builds speed, but Sho has the chair! Desperado DIVES into a chair shot! Fans can’t help but yelp as Desperado ends up stuck in the ropes! Sho gets back in, drags Desperado from the ropes and drops him on the mat. Fans rally up for Desperado as Sho looms over him.
Sho goes after the mask! Sho tries to hide it from the ref but he sees! The ref reprimands and makes Sho stop, but Sho shoves the ref down! Sho stomps Desperado, drags him back up, and throws him out of the ring. Desperado staggers to the railing, Sho goes after him with the chair! He JAMS then SMACKS Desperado on the back, then SMACKS the arm! The ref tries to stop Sho but Sho shoves him away to SMACK the arm again! Sho grins but fans rally up. The ref and Sho argue, Sho wrenches Desperado’s arm with a knuckle lock! Sho keeps on the arm, and wraps it around railing to pull on it!
The ref counts, Sho pushes him away again and BOOTS the railing to jam the bad arm! Sho again argues with the ref but he goes into the ring because he wants a count-out. Fans rally as the count climbs, and Desperado manages to sit up at 6 of 20. Desperado stands at 8, hobbles over to the ring at 10 and stands on the apron, only for Sho to BLAST him off! Desperado hits railing and a table! Desperado crashes down and the ref checks on him. Fans rally and Desperado stirs, so Sho goes out to see what’s going on. The ref has Sho stay back, and Desperado slowly sits up. Fans rally up more and Sho taunts Desperado.
Desperado crawls but Sho drags him back to the ring. Fans rally more as Sho looms over Desperado. Sho grabs the bad arm for a DOUBLE WRISTLOCK! Desperado endures, even as Sho pulls on the arm! Fans rally hard as ever and Desperado crawls with his free arm and legs, to the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts and Sho lets go at 4! Fans continue to rally as Desperado clutches his bad arm. Sho taunts Desperado and kicks at him. Desperado gets up and eggs Sho on. Sho kicks him more but Desperado CHOPS! Sho eggs Desperado on now so Desperado CHOPS again! Sho still eggs Desperado on, then he blocks the chop to rake the eyes!
Sho kicks but Desperado blocks! Desperado CLUBS the leg, ROCKS Sho, and wrenches for an OLYMPIC SLAM! Fans fire up as both men are down again! Sho crawls away but Desperado pursues. Sho goes out of the ring, but Desperado DIVES! The Somersault Suicida hits railings and knocks Milano Collection over! Fans are thunderous for that one! Desperado fires up and fans fire up more, and Desperado hurries to put Sho back in. Desperado drags Sho up, hooks him up, GUITARRA DE LA MUERTA! Cover, TWO! Desperado hurries up top, leaps, FROG SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Sho sputters, Desperado roars and fans fire up again!
Desperado drags Sho up, reels him in, but the bad arm can’t hook Sho’s arms. Sho wrenches out, ducks Desperado’s clothesline, and waistlocks to pop Desperado up, into an ARMBAR! But Desperado hurries to clasp hands! Sho thrashes around and he gets the full extension! But Desperado moves around, only for Sho to reel him into the SNAKEBITE! Desperado endures, reaches back, ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Sho lets go at 4! Fans fire up again while Sho grows frustrated. Sho crawls away while fans rally. Sho stands on Desperado’s head but Desperado pushes the foot away. Sho KICKS Desperado in the chest!
Desperado stays up so Sho KICKS him again! And again! Desperado staggers to ropes but he gets in Sho’s face! Sho ROCKS Desperado with a forearm, but Desperado comes back again. Sho ROCKS Desperado again but that’s still not enough! Sho throws another forearm but Desperado just keeps coming back! Sho dares Desperado to try, but then he wrenches the bad wrist! The ref reprimands the finger bending, they end up on ropes and Sho wraps the arm around ropes! The ref reprimands again and counts, but Sho lets off to throw boxing elbows! Sho then runs, and clotheslines Desperado against ropes! Sho keeps moving but Desperado elbows!
Desperado runs, Sho elbows him back! Sho runs, Desperado goes the other way, but Sho uses the ref as a shield! Desperado moves him aside, Sho SPEARS Desperado down! Fans fire up while both men are down again. Sho roars as he gets up, he scoops Desperado but Desperado fights free to ripcord and SPINEBUSTER! Then he turns Sho over to gut wrench, GUITARRA DEL ANGEL! Cover, TWO!! Sho survives and Desperado clutches the bad arm, but fans keep rallying. Desperado growls and he drags Sho back up. Desperado fights through the pain to underhook, but Sho shoves free of Pinche Loco, sending Desperado into the ref!
Sho LOW BLOWS Desperado! The fans rally up but Sho crawls to his corner to grab his friend, the wrench! Desperado stands, ducks the wrench, and tucks Sho in for a BASTARD DRIVER! Sho ends up stuck all folded up but Desperado can’t make a cover right now. Desperado gets up, he scuffs Sho, and he grabs the wrench! Fans rally, Desperado considers what he can do with it, and decides to throw the wrench away. Fans cheer the fair play, and Desperado says too bad, Sho. PINCH- NO! Sho fights out, and tucks Desperado in, CROSS ARM PILEDRIVER! Cover, TWO!! But into SNAKEBITE!!
Desperado moves around, reaches out, but Sho cranks harder on the hold! Fans rally but Desperado is fading! The ref checks, the hand falls once! The ref checks again, Desperado wags his finger as he gets a second wind! Desperado crawls, reaches out, and gets a ROPEBREAK with his foot! Sho lets go in frustration and fans are thunderous again! Sho says he’ll finish this, and he drags Desperado up to reel him in. Sho double pump handles, but Desperado slips out! Desperado tries to reel Sho in but he holds tight, and they almost hit the ref! Sho uses that to LOW BLOW Desperado again! Sho is laughing like a lunatic!
Sho drags Desperado up, but Desperado spins out to LOCO MONO! Fans fire up with Desperado as he roars and pounds the mat! Sho flounders about, Desperado LOCO MONOS again! The ref reprimands about the closed fist but Desperado just underhooks for PINCHE LOCO!! Cover a la the Deadman, Desperado wins!
Winner: El Desperado, by pinfall (still IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion)
The Murder Machine tried so many of his tricks, but he just couldn’t finish the job! Will the House of Torture be disappointed in Sho having nothing to show for his efforts?
As for Desperado, the Young Lions ice his elbow and bring him the belt. The ref helps him stand so he can celebrate this victory. But wait, Taiji makes his way back out to the ring. The Bone Soldier gets in the ring and he gets the mic to say, “Despy. Did you really win? It would have been more interesting if Sho had won. Oh well. You know what me being here means, right?” Desperado scratches his head, pretending to not know. Taiji says he is “always on the hunt for that belt.” Desperado’s mentioned a lot of names, but what does he think of Taiji? Will Desperado defend that belt against someone from another promotion? But before Desperado can answer, the lights go down!
Desperado asks what’s going on. And when the lights come up, we see someone has joined them in the ring! Who is this? He unzips his jacket to show he is with the UNITED EMPIRE! Ospreay has teased there would be a new member, and here he is! This is Francesco Akira, originally from All Japan! He has a lighter, and then he snatches the mic! “See you at the Best of the Super Juniors! BRUCIARE! <You will burn!>” Francesco leaves, and Desperado finally addresses the issue. Francesco Akira’s is a name he mentioned, so Desperado would love to face him since he came all this way. But Francesco did mention the Super Juniors…
And also, didn’t Taiji lose a title match today? Desperado says he would’ve turned down an ordinary challenge, but Taiji is anything but ordinary. “Let’s do it. I’m glad for this. I faced you as a champion, but I didn’t feel like I fit the bill then. This time, I’ll step to you proudly, as champion. Now, play my song as I leave, will you?” The music does play, and the champ takes his leave. Will the Burning Prodigy look to secure yet another belt for the Empire? Will the Bone Soldier do the same for Bullet Club? Or will the Rogue Luchador keep this title with Suzuki-Gun?
IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Kazuchika Okada VS Zack Sabre Jr!
The Rainmaker stands atop NJPW, but the Submission Master was still the one to win the New Japan Cup. ZSJ says he has grown but Okada has stagnated these last few years, and that is why ZSJ will win! Will ZSJ leave here with both trophy and title? Or will Okada find a way to still reign?
The introductions are made, the title is raised, and we see who is truly the face of Strong Style!
Fans rally up, “O-KA-DA!” “Z S J!” at the bell and the two slowly circle. They feel things out, tie up but then break. They circle more, ZSJ rushes in but Okada avoids the leg pick as well as the crawling leg guard. They tie up again, ZSJ gets around to waistlock then drag Okada down and float to a headlock. Okada keeps his shoulders up, fights his way up, but ZSJ floats around. Okada throws ZSJ off but ZSJ has his leg guard up. ZSJ pushes forward but Okada is ready, so ZSJ backs off. Fans cheer the exchange, and rally as the two reset. They feel out knuckle locks, tie up, but ZSJ wrenches and then trips Okada, to stand on an arm.
ZSJ bends that arm back, twists the wrist, but Okada rolls and trips ZSJ back. Okada has a toehold but ZSJ fights back to get a body scissor. ZSJ squeezes, Okada moves around, ZSJ tries for an armbar but Okada pushes to a high stack. ZSJ lets go but Okada has a toehold. ZSJ gets his foot free, turns over, but Okada lets go before ZSJ can reel him in. The fans cheer the newest exchange as the two reset again. ZSJ and Okada circle as fans rally, “O-KA-DA!” “Z S J!” They feel out a new grapple. Okada gets a leg, then he trips ZSJ to have the toehold. ZSJ gets Okada’s other leg, and now we have dueling holds!
But ZSJ quickly cranks the foot with a HEEL HOOK! Okada scrambles and gets the ropebreak! Fans cheer and Okada bails out to walk off the leg pain. The rallying continues while ZSJ waits patiently. Okada takes his time, and he returns before Red Shoes starts the count. ZSJ and Okada circle again, tie up collar ‘n’ elbow, and are in a deadlock. Okada gets a headlock, grinds ZSJ, but ZSJ endures and fights up. ZSJ powers out but Okada runs him over with a shoulder! Fans applaud, and Okada brings ZSJ back up. Okada ROCKS ZSJ with a forearm, then CLUBS him with an elbow.
Okada turns ZSJ, for a NECKBREAKER! Cover, ONE!! Fans applaud but Okada clamps onto ZSJ with a chinlock. ZSJ endures, pries at the fingers, and fans rally as Okada cranks harder on the hold. ZSJ reaches out, ROPEBREAK with a foot. Red Shoes counts, Okada lets off at 3. Okada then drags ZSJ up to scoop and SLAM! Okada goes to the apron, slingshot but ZSJ avoids the senton! ZSJ catches the haymaker for an armlock! ZSJ uses that to drag Okada up and out, to then clamp on an ARMBAR on the apron! Red Shoes reprimands as ZSJ drags Okada to the floor! Okada can only endure as ZSJ turns him over for a DISARMER!
Okada endures, so ZSJ STOMPS the arm, and fans are all fired up with him! ZSJ goes back into the ring and Red Shoes starts the count. Okada sits up at 9 of 20, gets to his feet at 14, and wants ZSJ to stay back. Red Shoes has ZSJ stay back as Okada rolls into the ring, but then ZSJ rushes right in to knee Okada in the side! ZSJ grabs at the arm but Okada is in the ropes! Red Shoes reprimands but ZSJ twists and tortures the arm to then STOMP it again! Fans applaud the technical savagery and ZSJ gets Okada for a short arm scissor. Okada fights up, ZSJ uses his feet to block Okada’s eyes but Okada still gets a stack cover, TWO!
ZSJ lets Okada free and KICKS him in the bad arm! Fans rally, ZSJ stands on Okada’s shoulder and bad arm, then digs his heels and toes into the muscles. Okada endures but ZSJ turns him over to get a DOUBLE WRISTLOCK! Okada endures more, even as ZSJ adds the headscissors for a Tesco Meal Deal! Okada reaches out with his foot and gets the ROPEBREAK! ZSJ shifts his grip but still has to let go. Fans rally up again, “O-KA-DA!” “Z S J!” as ZSJ kicks at Okada. ZSJ toys with “big boy” Okada, but Okada gets up to throw forearms. ZSJ eggs Okada on, Okada throws another forearm, but ZSJ wrenches to an ELBOW BREAKER!
ZSJ runs, but into a FLAPJACK! Both men are down and fans rally up! Okada stands, he fires off forearms then whips, but ZSJ reverses. Okada blows through the boot to CLOBBER ZSJ with an elbow! ZSJ goes to a corner but Okada is on him with a whip corner to corner. Okada runs in to back elbow, then he kicks low to DDT! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up, “Z S J! “O-KA-DA!” Okada traps ZSJ’s left arm and leg together and puts the other arm in a top wristlock! ZSJ endures, eggs Okada on, and Okada wrenches on the hold more! Okada lets off to then omoplata, and he turns ZSJ over to grind the other arm!
ZSJ moves around and fans rally, Okada flips ZSJ to a cover! TWO, but Okada keeps cool. ZSJ blocks the Alabama lift, steps over and has a standing armlock! ARM TWIST! Both men are down and fans continue to rally. ZSJ sits up to kick at Okada again and again. Okada is just annoyed, but ZSJ keeps kicking. Okada gets up, ZSJ kicks him more, then fires a EuroUpper! Okada ROCKS ZSJ with a forearm, so ZSJ throws a forearm back. Okada forearms again, ZSJ brushes it off and forearms again. The two get in each other’s face, Okada fires several forearms but ZSJ EuroUppers the bad arm!
Okada staggers away, clutching the elbow. Fans fire up, ZSJ runs in but Okada pops him up to the Alabama! But ZSJ grabs the arm to turn Air Raid into IRON OCTOPUS! Okada starts to fade but he powers back up! He powers through to give ZSJ the REVERSE NECKBREAKER! Fans are fired up and they rally again as both men are down. ZSJ and Okada slowly get up, and Okada shakes out the bad arm to gut wrench. ZSJ blocks that, shifts around and has a cobra twist! But Okada switches it back onto ZSJ! ZSJ switches back, and he has the cobra twist locked in! Okada endures, pries free, and hiop tosses ZSJ down!
Okada gets the arm for the MONEY CLIP! But ZSJ slips out and around to put Okada in a straitjacket stretch! Okada endures, arm-drags free and has the MONEY CLIP! ZSJ fights up and arm-drags free, then hooks Okada up into the IRON OCTOPUS! Okada endures, pops free, gut wrenches, but ZSJ slips out! Okada hooks ZSJ up to IRON OCTOPUS! Fans cheer the exchange, but ZSJ crab walks to the ROPEBREAK! Okada lets go quickly and fans continue to rally. Okada drags ZSJ up, scoops and SLAMS him in the drop zone, then goes up top. MACHO ELBOW! But it was the bad arm, so it slows Okada down a bit.
Okada still strikes the Rainmaker Pose! Fans fire up, Okada reels ZSJ in, but ZSJ elbows free. Okada runs in but ZSJ dodges the shotgun! ZSJ leaps on for the GUILLOTINE! But Okada powers out with a back drop! ZSJ gets up in a huff, but Okada blocks the boot and spins ZSJ! ZSJ avoids the discus to runs, and he fakes out Okada’s dropkick! ZSJ leaps with a seated senton, that becomes a TRIANGLE HOLD! Fans fire up while Okada endures! ZSJ squeezes tight and Okada turns red! But he still tries for a stack cover. ZSJ keeps his shoulders up, so Okada deadlift POWERBOMBS! But ZSJ holds on!
Okada stands to stomp away on ZSJ! ZSJ lets go, but he basement dropkicks Okada down! Fans fire up while both men are down again. ZSJ crawls over, gets Okada’s arm and isolates it to STOMP it again! ZSJ then runs, but into Okada’s DROPKICK! Okada roars and fans fire up as he stands ZSJ up! Ripcord, but ZSJ leaps to FLYING ARMBAR! Fans fire up again, ZSJ shifts right into a TRIANGLE HOLD! Then to an omoplata, and he hooks the other arm! CLARKY CAT!! And with a crossface add-on! Okada endures, fans are thunderous, but ZSJ changes it up to JIM BREAKS ARMBAR!!
Okada still endures, ZSJ thrashes him around, but Okada kicks his way to the ROPEBREAK! ZSJ lets go in frustration, and Okada flops out of the ring. Fans rally hard as ever for “O-KA-DA!” “Z S J!” The ring count starts while Okada is still down, but then ZSJ goes out to fetch Okada. ZSJ apologizes to Red Shoes, but he tells Okada to get up. ZSJ KICKS Okada, and Okada sits up. ZSJ KICKS him again and fans rally up. ZSJ eggs Okada on then KICKS him again! Okada sits up but ZSJ gets a running start! Okada blocks the Penalty Kick! Okada stands, and ZSJ SLAPS him! And SLAPS him again!
Okada reels ZSJ in for a gut wrench! TOMBSTONE to the floor!! Fans fire up while both men are down again! Red Shoes starts the count again, it goes to 10 of 20 before either sits up. Okada is up at 12, and he drags ZSJ up at 15. Okada puts ZSJ in at 17 and fans cheer the sportsmanship. Fans rally up again, “O-KA-DA!” “Z S J!” as Okada climbs. ZSJ stands, turns around and Okada hits a BIG missile dropkick! ZSJ tumbles to ropes and Okada scowls. Okada drags him back up, gut wrenches, SPINNING TOMBSTONE! And then DISCUS LARIAT! Okada roars and fans fire up. Okada ripcords, but ZSJ scoops to ZACK DRIVER!! Cover, TWO!?!?
Fans are thunderous as Okada survives ZSJ’s best shot! Both men are down, they slowly stir, but the rallying continues. ZSJ calls to the champion, egging him on. Okada sits up, they go forehead to forehead but Okada drops. ZSJ drags him back up, and EuroUppers hard! Okada stays on his feet, and fans rally up again. Okada comes back to EuroUpper ZSJ. The bad arm can’t give that much and ZSJ is able to shake that off. ZSJ EuroUppers hard, and Okada staggers to a corner. Okada comes back as ZSJ eggs him on. Okada EuroUppers, but again that’s the bad arm. ZSJ EuroUppers hard again, and he starts telling Okada, “Koi yo! <Bring it on!>”
Okada gets up, and he EuroUppers hard! How’s that for bringing it? ZSJ EuroUppers, Okada EuroUppers, ZSJ EuroUppers again! Okada fires forearms but ZSJ PELES the good arm! Then EuroUppers again! And again! And again! Okada runs to SHOTGUN dropkick! ZSJ pops up to PENALTY KCIK! Cover, ONE?! ZSJ runs in, into a gut wrench! But he victory rolls, to EURO CLUTCH! TWO!! Okada escapes, but ZSJ PENALTY KICKS!! Cover, TWO!! But into the FUJIWARA ARMBAR!! ZSJ cranks way back as Okada endures and the fans fire up! Okada reaches out, ZSJ shifts to get that Fujiwara even deeper, with a behind the back grip! But Okada still gets the ROPEBREAK!
Fans rally even harder, “O-KA-DA!” “Z S J!” while both men are down and catching their breath. ZSJ continues to taunt the champion, and ZSJ drags Okada up with a facelock. ZSJ wants to scoop but Okada blocks! Okada CLUBS ZSJ again and again, but then ZSJ EuroUppers! Okada EuroUppers, but into a backslide! ZSJ then rolls through to jackknife, but Okada slips that into a prawn hold! TWO, and Okada scoops! ZSJ slips off, runs, but Okada doesn’t commit to the dropkick cuz ZSJ holds the ropes! ZSJ BOOTS Okada, runs, but then into the DROPKICK! Fans are thunderous and Okada roars!
Okada drags ZSJ up, reels him in, ripcord, but ZSJ gets around to hop on for a SLEEPER! Fans rally as Okada endures, but he’s starting to fade! Okada fights up, throws ZSJ off, but ZSJ BOOTS Okada! ZSJ EuroUppers, but into Okada’s backslide! ZSJ rolls off, ducks the Rainmaker, TORNADO DDT! Scoop and- NO! Okada slips off to scoop, LANDSLIDE!! Okada hurries to ripcord and RAINMAKER!! Cover, Okada wins!!
Winner: Kazuchika Okada, by pinfall (still IWGP World Heavyweight Champion)
The Submission Master may have won the cup, but he could not stop the rain! Will ZSJ have to wait until he wins the cup again before he becomes world champion and the face of Strong Style?
As for Okada, Red Shoes helps him with the belt, and then he gets the mic. The fans clap, “O-KA-DA!” while he catches his breath, and then he says, “Thank you so much for your hot, hot, hot support today! Zack, we fought for this belt four years ago. Let’s not wait another four years. Let’s keep on fighting. Zack, you’re the best!” Fans applaud that, then Okada says, “I couldn’t win the New Japan Cup, but I was able to beat the victor today. As for the next challenger, I can decide now, can’t I?” Fans also applaud that! Okada says he wants NAITO! Naito beat Okada in the Cup, so Okada has to “right that wrong.” Okada knows he “can’t be tranquilo,” so he wants Naito to show up already!
Fans applaud, “O-KA-DA!” “NA-I-TO!” and Okada looks around. “He left.” Fans can’t help but laugh. Well, even if Naito went home, Okada’s mind is made up! He has to get his payback! But wait, Naito IS here! He just did it on his own time. Fans rally again, “NA-I-TO!” “O-KA-DA!” as Naito joins Okada in the ring. Okada says Naito made him panic. “I beat you in a title match, but you got me back. That mean’s we’re 1-1. Let’s settle this.” Fans applaud that idea, too. Naito gets a mic of his own as fans rally again.
“I would never have guessed that Okada would call me out. I was about to head home. We fought in Sapporo in February, Osaka-Jo Hall in March. This will be our third singles match this year.” Does Okada like facing Naito that much? Naito admits he loves locking up with Okada, too. “You pick the time and place for our third singles match of the year, please.” Naito then drops his mic, leaving to of course head home. Okada says the perfect place is on May 1st, in Fukuoka, “ya bastard!”
Okada says Naito likes to lockup with him, and Okada is in love with Naito’s Destino! “If you think you can give it to me, give it a try!” Okada then says, “How’s that sound? May 1st? This will be our third this year. Perhaps some of you have had your fill. But NJPW fans have large appetites. So look forward to our match on May 1st!” Fans cheer, they do like the sound of that.
Okada then notes, “Today’s April 9th. Let me tell you a personal story. 19 years ago, on April 8th, a 15-year-old Okada entered this business. Today, I kicked off my 20th year with a title defense! We all have our struggles in life. Together, we’re still dealing with COVID. But seeing so many of you here at the venue, wrestling for you is amazing.” Fans applaud that, too. “I know there are still things that make us anxious, but hopefully, NJPW can bring you energy! We’ll work hard to help you blow away your fears. So keep supporting us! This 50th Anniversary year rolls on. I’ll keep bringing the excitement, and I’ll keep making it rain in NJPW!”
My Thoughts:
What a way to end the week of Hyper Battle events! I did skip the first two matches, and I feel only a little bad on not giving JadoAce a chance. Jado, Tanahashi, Tama and Loa finally get that win over Bullet Club, Jado tapping Gedo out with his crossface. And another great detail was that Jado & GoD were joining Tanahashi in the main unit, sort of loosely affiliated part of NJPW where they just wear the NJPW logo shirts. The Face turns are complete, and we did see Tama again later. I should’ve figured Evil would find a way to retain the NEVER Openweight Championship. As great as the match was, Hiromu is apparently still not at a level for such a singles title. But I bet JadoAce/GoD will take those NEVER titles from House of Torture as we roll through the Spring.
We got a really great Junior Heavyweight Tag title match, and it makes sense Taguchi & Wato retain. Their reign has really only just begun, there’s probably a team they’re waiting on, and that’ll probably be really good stuff. Taiji moving on after the singles title was a bit of a surprised, but it seems there’s any number of ways they’re going to delay Desperado VS Kanemaru. Francesco Akira moving over to NJPW from AJPW and joining United Empire was a great surprise, and I think Francesco is the first Italian wrestler in the company. He’s going to have a great showing in the BOSJ 29 for May, who knows if he comes out the winner.
Sanada showing up was also a nice surprise, and sadly it was for the reason I feared but expected: he has to vacate the title. He only just got his first singles title and now it’s gone, but we got great stuff out of Ospreay and Tanahashi as they both stepped up. Commonwealth Kingpin VS Once in a Century Talent, that is going to be a great match and could go either way. And after an awesome IWGP Heavyweight Tag title match, Khan & Cobb winning was a great move. Khan and Cobb have been doing great work in and out of the ring, and NJPW acknowledging Khan legitimately saving a young woman just to make it contrast with his Heel persona is really clever stuff. The United Empire could end up dripping in gold before the summer.
Yano VS Taichi was a great KOPW match with the sumo rules, and another great choice for Taichi to win. Taichi vowing to step KOPW up to another level is pretty cool, and him calling Takagi out was quite the surprise. I suppose this is like if the WWE took their 24/7 Championship and put it on hard hitters like Sheamus or Drew McIntyre. Takagi and Taichi can choose whatever stipulations they want, we know it’ll turn into a slugfest either way, and I can’t wait. Okada VS ZSJ was also awesome stuff, ZSJ continued to show he belongs near the top, but he’s not at the top just yet. Okada winning to call out Naito makes sense, and they had a good interaction. They also have great matches, so having another is only going to be good stuff, I also can’t wait.
My Score: 9/10
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DING DONG, Hello, Tiffany!
Tiffanny Stratton just won the WWE Women’s Championship but she’s already defending it against Bayley! Will the Role Model be back on top?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Bianca Belair & Naomi VS Nia Jax & Candice LeRae; Bianca & Naomi win.
- Jimmy Uso VS Carmelo Hayes; Jimmy wins, by disqualification.
- Motor City Machine Guns VS Los Garza w/ Legado Del Fantasma; MCMG wins.
- Piper Niven w/ Chelsea Green VS B-Fab w/ Mia Yim; Piper wins.
- Rey Mysterio VS Kevin Owens; Kevin wins.
- WWE Women’s Championship: Tiffany Stratton VS Bayley; Tiff wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
Rey Mysterio is here!
San Diego fires up for the hometown hero as he makes his entrance! The King of Lucha high-fives fans along the ramp, and hugs his wife and daughter, before stepping in the ring. Rey grabs himself a mic, the fans chant “619! 619!” and he smiles. Rey tells San Diego, “Bien venidos, welcome to Friday Night SmackDown! This is the home of the 6! 1! 9!” The fans cheer, and Rey says no cap, it feels great to be back home in front of his people, his Raza, his city, and his familia. Rey requested to be here tonight because he couldn’t think of a better place to reminisce as he gets ready to do the impossible once again.
Rey officially declares for the 2025 Royal Rumble! The arena is shaking hearing that! Rey wants to look back: 2006, he entered the Rumble at #2, outlasted 28 other superstars, and became the Royal Rumble winner! And it didn’t end there. he went on to main event WrestleMania, and he became the WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION! Now, Rey won’t lie, he will be realistic. The competition is heavy this year: Drew McIntyre, who fans boo. CM Punk, who fans cheer; Seth Rollins, who fans are torn on; Roman Reigns, who fans cheer; John Cena, who fans also cheer. It will be tough, but let’s remember back to when he won.
It was 2006, and Rey did it for a friend we all know very well. The fans chant for “EDDIE! EDDIE!” But wait! Kevin Owens makes his way out here! The Prizefighter, still holding onto the winged eagle title belt, showing off his new shirt: The Canadian Dream, Son of a Security System Technician. Kevin has a mic, too, and while fans boo, he tells Rey, “Lemme start off by saying I’m very sorry for coming out here and interrupting you. I mean it, okay? But I had to come out here. Because I heard you just now talking about how you were gonna win the Royal Rumble.
“And Rey, I mean this from the bottom of my heart. It’s never been a secret. There’s a lot of people in this industry that I respect quite a bit, but very few I respect as much as I respect you. In fact, I’ll even go so far as saying there’s nobody in this industry that I respect as much as I respect you.” The fans do cheer that, and Kevin says he has had an incredible career, he’s accomplished things he’s dreamed of since he was a kid. He has main evented WrestleMania with Steve Austin. He won the tag team titles with his then best friend, Sami Zayn. He won countless other tiles, and now he gets to stand here with THIS title!
The fans boo but Kevin says this is the title that as a kid, he saw all his idols win. This is the title he dreamed of winning, and now he stands here as the TRUE, RIGHTFUL WWE Champion! The fans boo again but Kevin says there is one thing left for him to accomplish so that he can truly feel his career is complete. And that is to step into the ring and have a 1v1 match with the legendary Rey Mysterio. The fans like that idea, and Kevin says face to face, man to man, he hopes Rey wins the Rumble! Kevin will root for Rey with everything he has! Rey can and will beat “all those other idiots.”
But just promise Kevin one thing. After Rey wins the Rumble, promise that Kevin is the champion he picks for WrestleMania so that Kevin can have his dream match. Rey takes a moment, and he tells Kevin that we all know Rey loves competition. But… Kevin’s not the champion. The fans cheer that! Rey means that with all due respect, but Cody Rhodes is the champion. But, but, here’s this. If Rey wins the Rumble, and if Kevin wins the title, then yes, Rey will gladly face him for the title. Kevin takes a moment, and repeats, “I’m not the champion? I AM THE CHAMPION! This is my title! I earned it! I deserve it!”
The fans boo but Kevin says Cody has Rey brainwashed, too! Does Rey have bleached blonde hair under that mask? Is it seeping into his brain? Rey wants Kevin to calm down. What’s going on? Drew McIntyre, now Kevin, he’s acting so delusional! It’s reminding him of Dominik. Oh…! Kevin swings on Rey! Rey dodges to fire hands in return! They brawl, Kevin shoves Rey but Rey dropkicks the legs! Kevin is on the ropes, but he bails out before the 619! The fans boo but Kevin is the one offended. Will Kevin be able to let this go so he can focus on Cody?
Bianca Belair meets up with Naomi backstage.
Bianca asks if Naomi finished with Nick Aldis. She did. Any updates? No! No lead on Jade’s attacker. Nothing? Wow. But that’s okay, they’ll keep pushing forward. They will handle Nia & Candice, but Bianca just wants to make sure they’re good after the mishap last week. It wasn’t on Bianca, that was Candice. Naomi knows that. Plus, they have to focus. It may not be Tiffany, but they can at least get some lick back on Candice & Nia. And they still have their gold! Bianca says that’s true. Ready to go? Naomi says maybe Bianca should wrap her up. That way, last week won’t happen again. Bianca agrees, and she hurries to wrap the braid into a bun.
Now they’re good. The StrongEST Glow heads out, will they be able to get past the Irresistible Force & Poison Pixie? Or will they soon be owing some golden tickets to the Queen of the Ring and her new sidekick?
Nick Aldis talks with Rey Mysterio.
After what we saw with Kevin, and since they are in San Diego, we have to have Rey on the card. Rey VS KO happens 1v1! Rey thanks Aldis and promises to handle business. And then Cody Rhodes walks in! The American Nightmare tells Rey he saw what happened while he was going through his physical. Cody says he would’ve been out there to help, but Rey says it’s nota big deal. It is handled, Rey VS Kevin is happening. Cody just needs to heal up. Rey can handle his problems, and will leave something for Cody at the Royal Rumble. Rey fist bumps and heads out. Aldis tells Cody that Rey has a point, Cody needs to be careful.
That said, what’d the doctors have to say? Cody says he has a clean bill of health, fully cleared, and Aldis can read the report himself. Aldis says he trusts Cody, he just doesn’t know if that’s good news. There is a lot of time between now and the Rumble, and even more so to WrestleMania. But with that in mind, Aldis has an addendum to the ladder match. Cody needs to sign it, as does Kevin, because they cannot have what happened at Saturday Night’s Main Event happen ever again. Cody asks if Kevin’s signed it yet. Kevin was Aldis’ next stop. Then Cody will sign it once Kevin has. Cody heads out, will Aldis be able to get what he wants out of this?
Bianca Belair & Naomi VS Nia Jax & Candice LeRae!
SmackDown returns as Bianca & Naomi make their entrances. The teams sort out and Nia steps to Bianca, only to CLOBBER Naomi! Candice joins in to mug Bianca, but the fans boo. The ref reprimands, Candice backs off, and Nia soaks up the heat. Naomi throws Bianca down, talks more trash, then HEADBUTTS Bianca down. Nia drags Bianca up, tags Candice, but Bianca fights back. Nia CLUBS Bianca, Candice wrenches, but Bianca runs Candice over! And runs her over again! Bianca suplexes, holds Candice up, then SLAMS her down! The fans fire up as Bianca kips up, and she runs up to RAM Candice!
Bianca then climbs to rain down fists! The fans count along, Bianca goes all the way to TEN! Nia storms in, but Bianca flips up and over! Nia runs into Candice, then turns around into Bianca’s DROPKICK! Bianca runs up but Candice BOOTS her! Candice goes up, but Bianca ROCKS her! Bianca military presses Candice, and she THRWOS her out onto Nia! Nia & Candice fall, the fans fire up, and SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Bianca flexes, then waits on Nia & Candice. Bianca’s braid has unrolled so Bianca swings it to rally the fans. Bianca then goes out to fetch Candice, shoves her into the ring, but Nia anchors Bianca’s feet! Candice DROPKICKS Candice down! Cover, TWO! Candice CLUBS away on Bianca, then scuffs her. Candice stalks Bianca to a corner, KNEES her down, then steps on her to DOUBLE STOMP! Tag to Nia, and Nia stalks Bianca. Nia makes Bianca smile with fishhooks, then HIP DROPS her down! Nia swings the braid around to mock Bianca, and even intimidate the ref. Bianca gets her braid free to SMACK away on Nia!
Bianca LASHES Nia more, backing her down, then she runs. Bianca SHOTGUNS Nia, Nia rebounds, but Bianca avoids the elbow drop! Cover, ONE!! Nia CLOBBERS Bianca at the ropes! Nia argues with the ref, taunts Naomi, then soaks up the heat. Tag to Candice and Candice kicks Bianca around. Candice SMACKS Bianca off the apron, pushes her in, then CLOBBERS her! Cover, TWO! Candice CLOBBERS Bianca again, then digs her knee in for a half Bow ‘n’ Arrow stretch! Bianca endures, fights around, reaches back, and she pulls Candice’s hair! Bianca and Candice fire forearms, but Candice DECKS Bianca! Cover, TWO!
Candice is frustrated but she KNEES Bianca in the side. Candice stomps Bianca more, KNEES her down, then has her on the ropes. The ref counts but Candice bends Bianca back! Candice lets go at 4, SmackDown returns to single picture,. and Candice brings Bianca up. Bianca rolls Candice up, TWO! Candice ENZIGIRIS Bianca down! Candice hurries to a corner and goes up, to then CROSSBODY! But Bianca rolls through! The fans fire up as Bianca lifts, but Candice slips free! Candice pulls the braid! Bianca uses that to reel Candice in for an ELBOW! But Candice grabs the braid to throw Bianca down! Both women are down and the fans fire up!
Bianca and Candice crawl, Candice goes to Bianca! STEP-UP- NO! Bianca avoids the senton! But Nia YANKS Naomi down from the outside! The fans boo but Nia sends Naomi into barriers! Candice stands Bianca up, but Bianca rolls her again! TWO, and Candice SUPERKICKS Bianca down! Candice hurries to the corner, tag to Nia. Nia storms up on Bianca, mockingly reaching out to Naomi, and then CLUBS Bianca! Nia whips, LARIATS, and SAMOAN DROPS! Bianca sputters and goes to the corner, but Nia runs up! Bianca BOOTS Nia first! Bianca ELBOWS Candice, dodges Nia, then RAMS into her! Candice grabs the braid!
Bianca whips Candice into the POST! Bianca climbs, but Nia ROCKS her! Nia climbs up after Bianca, fireman’s carries, but Bianca CLUBS away! Bianca is safe, she shoves Nia away, then CROSSBODIES! Both women are down and the fans fire up! Naomi returns! Bianca crawls, hot tag to Naomi! The fans fire up as Naomi ROUNDHOUSES Nia away, then slingshots for the FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Nia still has a lot left in the tank but Naomi HAMMERS away on her! Nia shoves Naomi away, runs up, but Naomi dodges! Nia POSTS herself, falls back, and Naomi goes up! SPLIT-LEG MOONSAULT! Cover, Candice breaks it!
Naomi ENZIGIRIS Candice for it! Tag to Bianca and the tag champs go after Nia. Nia fights back, SAMOAN DROP for Naomi! The fans boo but Nia looms over Bianca. Nia runs, Candice sneaks a tag, and Bianca dodges! Bianca SPEARS Nia! Bianca runs, handsprings, but Candice DROPKICKS her down! STEP-UP SENTON! Nia rises, she adds a SENTON of her own! Candice covers, TWO!! Bianca survives and the fans fire up! Candice can’t believe it, but San Diego declares, “This is Awesome!” Candice storms around, snarls, then runs up at Bianca. Bianca ALLEY-OOPS her onto buckles! Then SPINEBUSTERS her down!
Bianca runs, handsprings, and MOONSAULTS! But Nia runs up! Bianca dodges, LEG DROP hits Candice!! Nia panics, runs up on Bianca, but Bianca tosses her out! LARIAT and down goes Bianca! Naomi tags for the BUBBA BOMB! Gedo clutch, Naomi & Bianca win!
Winners: Bianca Belair & Naomi, by pinfall
The tag champs find a way to survive, but now they’ll have to meet NXT’s Meta Four on January 28th! NXT goes on the road to Atlanta, Georgia, will Lash Legend & Jakara Jackson be bringing the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships home as souvenirs? Or will they only feel the StrongEST Glow?
Pregame interview with Bayley.
Byron Saxton walked through an empty Pechanga Arena with The Role Model before the show, and noted how last week, Bayley won the Fatal 4 Way #1 Contender’s match. Now, we’re in San Diego, with a sold out crowd as Bayley challenges Tiffany Stratton for the title. What does this match mean to her? Well, sold out here in her home state, that is what dreams are made of. We all dream about being in the main event and fighting for a championship. This is a huge night for her. Thinking on her career, this time last year, she won the 2024 Royal Rumble and earned a guaranteed championship opportunity.
Bayley would challenge former friend, Iyo Sky, someone she respects so much in this business. That felt like the peak of Bayley’s career, where she was going to do something different and change the world. To be honest, she isn’t sure she fulfilled her potential during that reign. Yes, she defended the title, took it all over the world, but she always felt she was just winning by the skin of her teeth. She’s a perfectionist, she loves wrestling so much. And so, that reign was certainly cut short when Tiffany helped Nia take that title from Bayley. Tonight is a big night for her.
Then how does tonight feel different from past opportunities in regaining the title? Well, we’ve seen what Tiffany has done this past year, and she just showed she’s willing to turn on her friends to get to the “Tiffy Top,” as she puts it. Part of Bayley respects her, but the other part wants to beat Tiffy that much more. Tonight, it’s personal. Byron wishes Bayley luck and they shake hands. Will this be a big first defense for Tiffy? Or will it be a big comeback for the former Grand Slam Champion?
Mia Yim talks with B-Fab backstage.
Michin just knows she would’ve had Chelsea Green if not for Piper Niven. They always gotta use numbers! B-Fab knows how they do. That US Championship should’ve been Mia’s! B-Fab tells Mia to keep her head up, because she’ll get another shot to take down sleazy- Piper Niven walks in being all Secret Service. Piper says the room is clear, no threats to the champion. Chelsea walks in, thanks “Spicy Service,” and says B-Fab and “Mimi” should stand up and properly congratulate her as the only woman to successfully defend this title. B-Fab says Chelsea please. We all know that if it wasn’t for Piper the Mall Cop, Chelsea would not be champion.
Piper steps up and tells B-Fab that if she takes another step closer, it’ll be her last. If that’s how Piper wants to play it, then how about this? B-Fab will talk with Aldis, then she and Piper can handle their problem tonight. Then after Piper, Chelsea better watch her back. Mia says that is a threat. Mia follows B-Fab, Chelsea tells Piper to neutralize B-Fab. Piper agrees. But just how will this shake out when Piper’s the one in action?
Jimmy Uso heads to gorilla.
“San Diego! The goal tonight is to make sure Carmelo stays missing. Hey, ya boi got something to prove! Hey, I’m proud of The Yeet Man. My brother got his own title match coming up, and it’s time to go get mine. But it starts tonight with Carmelo. Hey yo, Uce, between me and you, Big Jim is Him!” Jimmy heads out to the ring, will he prove he’s just as worthy of golden opportunities?
Jimmy Uso VS Carmelo Hayes!
SmackDown returns as Melo makes his entrance. Melo has a mic to tell Big Jim that he wants to get this straight. Roman’s in the Rumble, Jey’s got a world title match, and what’s Jimmy got? It just seems like Jimmy is living in the shadow of his brother who is living in the shadow of Roman Reigns. But for some reason, Jimmy’s taking shots at H1M? Then here’s a serious question: How can Jimmy take shots when he’s sitting on the bench? Do Melo a favor: Lace up those shoes real tight, Unc, because you’re about to see that Melo Don’t Miss. But then Jimmy TOSSES Melo into the ring! Jimmy borrows those sunglasses, then he fires haymakers!
The fans fire up as Jimmy pops, locks ‘n’ ROCKS Melo! Jimmy whips, but Melo avoids the superkick! Melo bails out, the fans boo, and Jimmy grins. Jimmy hurries after Melo but Melo HOTSHOTS Jimmy down! Melo storms in to CLOBBER Jimmy, and he stomps away at the ropes! The ref counts, teh fans boo, but Melo lets off at 4. Melo soaks up the heat, then he CHOPS Jimmy against ropes. Melo stalks Jimmy, CHOPS Jimmy in a corner, then brings him around for haymakers. Melo whips, Jimmy reverses, QUICK DRAW! Melo is in a corner, and the fans join Jimmy in chanting, “UCE! OH!” Jimmy runs, but Melo dodges the hip attack!
Melo comes back, but Jimmy puts him on the apron. Jimmy UPPERCUTS Melo, Melo sputters, and Jimmy goes out to join him. Jimmy suplexes Melo onto the apron! Melo writhes, Jimmy refreshes the count, and then Jimmy builds speed! Jimmy DIVES, and Melo is sent into the desk! The fans fire up for Jimmy while SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again and Melo KICKS and CLUBS and stomps away on Jimmy in a corner! The ref counts, Melo lets off, and the fans boo. Melo drags Jimmy up, CLUBS him on the back, then hoists him to the top rope. The fans rally for Jimmy but Melo climbs up. Melo soaks up the heat, brings Jimmy up, but Jimmy fights the suplex! The fans fire up as Jimmy fires elbows! Melo hits back with shoulders! Jimmy and Melo go back and forth, then Jimmy fires elbow after elbow! Melo falls back, Jimmy WHISPERS IN THE WIND, but Melo dodges! Then FADE AWAY DDT! Cover, TWO! Jimmy survives and Melo grows frustrated.
The fans rally up while Melo gets his confidence back. Melo adjusts the kneepads, but he hears the fans rally for Jimmy. Melo brings Jimmy up, but Jimmy suplexes! Melo fights that to suplex, but Jimmy fights! Melo wrenches, dodges, and DOUBLE LARIATS hit hard! A double cover, TWO!! Both men are still in this, but they rise slowly. The fans rally behind Jimmy, he UPPERCUTS Melo! Melo blocks a kick but not the DRAGON WHIP! Jimmy then fireman’s carries, but Melo slips free! Jimmy UPPERCUTS Melo, Melo tilt-o-whirls, LA MYSTICA! Cover, TWO! Jimmy survives and the fans rally up again!
Melo thinks on what he has to do, but the fans rally up more as Jimmy rises. Melo storms up, CHOPS Jimmy, then whips. Jimmy reverses to POP-UP SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO!! Melo survives and Jimmy is beside himself! The fans rally up for Jimmy as he climbs up, USO- FIRST 48! Cover, TWO!! Jimmy survives and Melo can’t believe it! “This is Awesome!” as Melo hurries to a corner and climbs. Melo wants Jimmy to stand, and he takes aim, for- NO, Jimmy avoids the three pointer! SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO?!? Melo survives again and shocks Jimmy! Melo flounders away, checking his jaw.
Jimmy goes corner to corner, HIP ATTACK! Then SAMOAN- NO, Melo manages the crucifix takedown! TWO! SUPERKICK from Melo! Melo runs, Jimmy SPEARS!! Jimmy hurries to a corner, but JACOB FATU has appeared! Jimmy tells Jacob not to even try, but it’s TAMA TONGA who shoves Jimmy off the corner! The fans boo as Tama & Jacob attack!
Winner: Jimmy Uso, by disqualification
The fans boo, the ref reprimands, but Jacob hits a HIP ATTACK on Jimmy! Jacob then drags Jimmy up, and feeds him to Tama’s VENOM DDT! Jacob adds more stomps, and Melo says thanks for the assist. But then Jacob CLOBBERS Melo! Tama puts Jimmy back in a corner, Jaco hits another HIP ATTACK! And here comes Solo Sikoa! He may not be THE Tribal Chief, but clearly Solo still has authority over the rogues. We hear from the would-be Head of the Table, after the break.
SmackDown returns and…
San Diego is booing hard as Solo has the mic. Solo decides not to speak, which the fans cheer. Solo then goes out of the ring, takes off his fancy red jacket, and slings it over his shoulder. Solo leaves, and even his followers seem confused. Is Solo giving up after losing everything? Or is this just more arrogance? Jacob grabs the mic and says, “So this is what it comes to, huh? This is it? I’m tired of the disrespect! I’m tired of the hate! Oh no! You know that I’m tired of the envy! But check this out: envy me all you want, because even on a bad day, y’all still can’t touch me! I don’t give a damn if you cheer us, I don’t give a damn if you boo us.
“But one thing I will not let you do is try to act like I ain’t ever got mine! What, y’all thought I was crazy? Y’all thought I was off the hinges? HUH? Y’all thought I was losing it? The crazy thing about this situation… is that I’m just getting started!” The Samoan Werewolf is all fire dup, but here comes LA KNIGHT! The fans fire up, Jacob & Tama wait, but Knight comes in from the crowd! Knight CLOBBERS Jacob, CLOBBERS Tama, then he stomps away on Jacob! Tama runs up, but Knight tackles him! Knight throws down hands, Jacob is up, but Knight fires hands on him! Tama traps Knight’s legs, and Jacob CLOBBERS Knight!
The fans boo as Tama & Jacob beat Knight down, but BRAUN is here! The fans fire up as the Monster of All Monsters returns! Tama PLANCHAS, but Braun catches him, and TOSSES him! Then Braun stares down Jacob. The fans are going nuts seeing this, and Braun rips his shirt off! But then Tama has Jacob retreat! The Mega Star stands alongside #OneBigSOB, will they get their payback on Tama & Jacob soon enough?
Los Garza gets ready backstage.
Santos Escobar tells Angel y Berto that last week, they exposed Pretty Deadly for the pretty little liars they are. And everything they said, Angel & Berto made them choke on every word. That is what Santos expects. Lopez reminds them that just one win doesn’t make them champions yet. Agreed. Tonight, Motor City Machine Guns, men with reputations and who were former champions, Los Garza will take their momentum away. Why? Because remember: There was no red carpet rolled out for them, and no one is just handing them respect. So if they want respect, they have to take it! Take it from their hands, from their throats, from their pride!
Legado puts all hands in, and say “Familia!” La Madrina accompanies Los Garza, will they take that title opportunity for their own? Or will MCMG be on fire as they go back after DIY?
Motor City Machine Guns VS Los Garza w/ Legado Del Fantasma!
SmackDown returns and Los Garza makes their entrance. The teams sort out and Shelley starts against Angel. They tie up, Shelley headlocks, and holds on as Angel powers up. Shelley grinds the headlock, Angel powers up and out, then he reels Shelley in. Shelley ducks the elbow, Angel drops down then hurdles over, then Angel rolls off Shelley’s back. Shelley trips, covers, ONE! Angelo knocks Shelley down, covers, ONE! Angel kneels and offers a handshake! Shelley is wary, but he accepts. Only for Angel to SLAP him! Angel CHOPS Shelley against ropes, then headlocks. Tag to Berto, Angelo holds Shelley out on the ropes, LEAP FROG ATTACK!
Angel KNEES Shelley down, Berto SOMERSAULT MOONSAULTS! Cover, ONE! Angel shouts for respect, the fans are torn, but Berto CLUBS Shelley. Shelley CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! Shelley tags Sabin, whips Berto, and MCMG DOUBLE BACKDROP! Angel runs up, but into double kicks! Atomic drop, dropkick, DREAM SEQUENCE! MCMG snapmare Berto, Sabin covers, ONE! Sabin clamps on a chinlock and he grinds Berto down. Berto endures, fights up, and he powers up. Angel tags in but Sabin ducks ‘n’ dodges. Sabin tilt-o-whirls, but Berto keeps it going so Angel can KNEE Sabin down!
Berto drags Sabin to the apron, and Angel TAKES OFF THE PANTS! He SMACKS Shelley, then runs to KNEE ENZIGIRI COMBO on Sabin! Los Garza is in control while SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Sabin fights out of a cobra twist! But Angel blocks his kick, spins him around, Gory Especial! Tag to Berto, SLINGSHOT NECKBREAKER GORY BOMB COMBO! Cover, TWO!! Sabin survives but Berto seethes. Berto goes to the far corner, runs up, but Sabin dodges! Sabin elbows Berto, Berto traps Sabin, and Angel runs in. Sabin slips away, Angel RAMS into Berto! The fans rally up, Angel grabs legs, but Sabin ENZIGIRIS free! Sabin crawls, the fans rally up, and Sabin hot tags Shelley! Shelley fires hands on Berto, then whips, but Berto reverses. Shelley CLOBBERS Berto!
Shelley BLASTS Angel for good measure! BOOT to Berto, then a tilt-o-whirl RANA! Berto ends up in a corner, Shelley runs in, but he blocks a boot! Sabin tags in, Shelley hands the foot off, DRAGON SCREW! Berto is stuck in ropes, Shelley DRAPING DRAGON SCREWS the other leg! Sabin hops up, MCMG coordinate, DROPKICK to one leg, KNEE DROP on the other! Berto falls, Sabin covers, TWO! Berto survives but Sabin brings him up. Sabin has one of the legs, tag to Shelley, and they hand off the leg to ENZIGIRI and trip! Shelley steps through for a FIGURE FOUR! The fans “WOO~!” while Berto endures!
Sabin intercepts Angel, trips him up, and he has a FIGURE FOUR! The fans fire up as Los Garza endure the same hold! Lopez panics, but Berto crawls, ROPEBREAK! MCMG lets go at 4, and Angel crawls away. Shelley stomps away on Berto’s legs, then steps through again. Lopez distracts, Berto BOOTS free! Roll up, deadlift and SIT-OUT POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO! Shelley survives but Berto tags Angel in. Los Garza brings Shelley up, Sabin runs in, but Berto LARIATS Sabin down! Angel fires knees into Shelley, Berto hoists Sabin up to add him on! Berto runs, FLYING CHUCK into the POWERBOMB POWERSLAM COMBO! Cover, TWO?!?
Los Garza can’t believe it, but this is why MCMG are a highly decorated tag team! “This is Awesome!” as Angel stalks Shelley to ropes. Angel KICKS Shelley in the chest! Tag to Berto, they double military press! But Sabin saves Shelley, then runs up. Angel catches Sabin to a full nelson but he BOOTS Berto away. Sabin then arm-drags free, kicks Angel, and he kicks off Berto to TORNADO DDT Angel! Los Garza bail out, Shelley opens the way! Sabin DIVES and he takes Los Garza down! Sabin sends Berto in, Shelley runs up, LARIAT in the corner! Tag to Sabin, but wait! Pretty Deadly is here, and they’re distracting the ref!
Sabin has Berto while Shelley climbs! Elton keeps the ref’s attention so that Kit can DECK Shelley! Berto rolls Sabin up and Kit shouts to the ref! Elton is arguing with the ref too much now! Berto gives up on the pin, tells the ref to pay attention to the match, and Sabin BLASTS Kit! Shelley tags in, Berto runs up, but into the BOOT ENZIGIRI COMBO! And reset, SKULL ‘N’ BONES!! Cover, MCMG wins!
Winners: Motor City Machine Guns, by pinfall
Pretty Deadly tried to screw Shelley & Sabin out of this one, but they were too dramatic about it! Will nothing stop MCMG from taking those tag titles off of Gargano & Ciampa?
Aldis finds Kevin backstage.
Kevin says, “Can’t you see I’m taping my wrists, Nick?” Aldis does, but this shouldn’t take long. He needs to show Kevin the addendum to the title match contract. Kevin doesn’t like the sound of that. And wait, Cody didn’t sign it. Well, Cody isn’t going to sign it until Kevin signs it. Then guess what? Kevin’s not signing it until Cody signs it. And Kevin doesn’t even trust Aldis anyway, he needs to read this addendum first. And he isn’t doing that until after his match so stop trying to distract him! Kevin storms off, and Aldis says that went well. Will Aldis be able to find a way around this stalemate between champion and challenger?
Piper Niven w/ Chelsea Green VS B-Fab w/ Mia Yim!
The Hot Mess is having her “Spicy Secret Service” fight her battles for her again, and that means a fight with one Briana Brandy. Will B-Fab be fab when she drops Piper like she drops the beat? Or will B be mad when P takes the W?
SmackDown returns as “B-Fabulous” makes her way to the ring. The bell rings and the two circle. Chelsea talks smack, B-Fab gives it back, but then B-Fab dodges Piper! HEEL KICK in the corner! B-Fab talks smack on Piper, whips, but Piper blocks! B-Fab still tries, but Piper wrenches. B-Fab wrenches and DANGEROUS HOOK KICKS! B-Fab turns Piper, then spins her for a FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Piper goes to a corner, B-Fab runs up, but Piper picks her up! URENAGE! Chelsea wants to make sure everyone saw that, then Piper runs. B-Fab avoids the senton! Chelsea panics, B-Fab runs up, and she floats around to a DDT! Cover, TWO!
B-Fab waits on Piper as Piper flounders to ropes. B-Fab then runs up, and she BOOTS Piper out of the ring! Chelsea is freaking out again, but Piper gets back up. B-Fab BOOTS Piper off the apron! B-Fab goes out after Piper, puts her in the ring, but then she steps to Chelsea. Chelsea backs away, talks more smack anyway, so B-Fab LARIATS Chelsea! The fans fire up, B-Fab slides in, but Piper SENTONS! Piper shoves B-Fab to ropes, pops her up, and then pops her into the PIPER DRIVER! Cover, Piper wins!
Winner: Piper Niven, by pinfall
Even after talking it out with Mia, the number game still gets the better of B-Fab. But then Chelsea beats down B-Fab just because she can! SO here comes Mia! The fans fire up as Chelsea runs! Mia dodges Piper to SMACK her with the kendo stick! Mia swings again, Piper blocks, and she SLAPS Mia! Piper takes aim, but Mia YAKUZA KICKS her first! Mia grabs the kendo stick, and she warns both Piper & Chelsea that payback is still coming. Mia helps B-Fab to her feet, will they be united against the #RedWhite&Green?
WWE mourns the loss of Bob Uecker.
Mr. Baseball also had his love of the WWE, being part of memorable moments in those early days, such as calling Hogan VS Andre at WrestleMania 3.
Backstage interview with Tiffany Stratton.
Byron says we saw Tiff make history two weeks ago, but she stops him there. She didn’t make history, she made “Tiffstory.” Uh, sure… She made Tiffstory when she cashed in on Nia Jax and became the WWE Women’s Champion. But now it gets real as she defends that title against Bayley, who is extremely driven to win. What’re Tiff’s comments? Tiff heard that, and Bayley is right, she had a ton of big moments. Bayley’s had a career of big moments, really. But guess what? So has Tiff. Tiff’s been on SmackDown for less than a year, became the youngest Miss Money in the Bank, and now is the WWE Women’s Champion.
And unlike Bayley, Tiff doesn’t need to recreate moments, because Tiff IS the Moment. Sorry, Bayley, but you’ll just have to sit back and watch your little dream die, because right now… It’s Tiffy Time. Tootles. Tiff heads out, confident as ever, but will that confidence all fall apart going up against a woman that paved the way?
Rey Mysterio VS Kevin Owens!
The King of Lucha just wanted to enjoy his homecoming, and The Prizefighter had to interrupt it. Rey tried to explain that officially, Kevin isn’t the champion, and Kevin blew up on him! So now, in an ironic twist, Kevin is getting his dream match with Rey here in Rey’s hometown! Will Kevin make his dream of defeating Rey Mysterio come true? Or will the 619 make it all a nightmare?
The bell rings and obviously the fans rally behind Rey. Kevin is annoyed by that but Rey says he asked for this. They tie up, Kevin powers Rey to a corner, but the ref counts. Kevin lets off slowly, and then says, “This is MY show!” The fans boo more but Kevin and Rey reset. They tie up, Kevin waistlocks and SLAMS Rey down. Kevin flips Rey over, but Rey arm-drags Kevin! Kevin gets upset and the fans boo him more. Kevin and Rey go again, and the chants of “619! 619!” are loud as ever. The two tie up, Kevin kicks low! Kevin CLUBS Rey, wrenches an arm to the wristlock, but Rey uses ropes to flip through! Rey KCIKS a leg, then fires forearms!
Kevin headlocks, Rey powers up and out, then he drops down. Kevin CLOBBERS Rey! Rey tumbles out to the floor and the fans boo more, but Kevin just waits on Rey. The ref starts the ring count, and Rey stands at 3 of 10. Rey takes his time to return, and he’s back in at 6. The fans tell Kevin off in Espanol, and Kevin wants to know what that means. Rey says Kevin knows what it means. The two reset, feel things out, and knuckle lock. Rey avoids the leg hook to then lift Kevin, jump up, and sunset flip! ONE, but Rey dodges a lariat to waistlock. Kevin switches, Rey fires elbows, and then Rey runs. Rey ducks ‘n’ doges, tilt-o-whirls and RANAS!
The fans fire up as Kevin tumbles! Rey ROCKS Kevin at the ropes, whips him, but Kevin reverses. Rey tilt-o-whirls again, but Kevin blocks to SLAM Rey down! And then SENTON! The fans boo but Kevin huffs ‘n’ puffs. Kevin drags Rey up, whips Rey to a corner hard, and Rey staggers back. Rey falls over, the fans tell Kevin off more, but Kevin stays cool. Kevin whips Rey hard to another corner, runs up, but into a BOT! Rey ELBOWS Kevin, goes up, jumps back, and is on Kevin’s shoulders Electric Chair style. Rey throws down hands, then he RAN- NO, Kevin stops Rey from throwing him over! Kevin KNEES Rey down!
The fans boo but Kevin storms out after Rey. Kevin stands Rey up, and he ROCKS Rey in front of the fans! Kevin fires more forearms, the fans rally for Rey, but Kevin puts Rey on the apron. Rey fires forearms and a KICK in return! The fans rally for Rey as he gets up to FLYING RANA! Kevin hits barriers and the fans fire up! Rey gets in the ring, throws off his shirt, and the fans fire up as Rey builds speed! Rey SLIDES and SPLASHES! Both men are down from that hard impact, and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Kevin has Rey down with a chinlock. Rey fights up and the fans rally, but Kevin throws Rey down by his mask! The ref reprimands, the fans boo, but Kevin mocks the 619 chant, and says “SUCK IT!” Kevin stalks Rey to the corner, brings him around, and whips him corner to corner. Rey hits buckles and staggers back, into a back suplex! Rey lands out, dodges Kevin, and Kevin POSTS himself! The fans fire up as Rey goes to the apron. Kevin staggers around, Rey goes up the corner, and Rey FLYING SEATED SENTONS! The fans fire up as Rey keeps moving, and he wheelbarrows to BULLDOG! Cover, TWO!
Kevin stays in this but Rey stays cool. Rey runs, tilt-o-whirls and RANAS Kevin onto ropes! The fans fire up as Rey dials it up! But Kevin SUPERKICKS! Kevin whips Rey to POP-UP, but Rey slips free! Tilt-o-whirl DDT! Cover, TWO!! Kevin survives and both men are down, catching their breath. Kevin goes to a corner, Rey fires shots, then Rey hoists Kevin up! Rey climbs, but Kevin fires body shots! Kevin HEADBUTTS Rey down! Kevin adjusts, and he gives some Latino Heat before he FROG SPLASHES!! Cover, TWO!! Rey knows that move too well, even if Kevin’s a bit bulkier than Eddie ever was.
The fans cheer for “EDDIE! EDDIE!” while Kevin stalks Rey. Kevin stands Rey up against ropes, then he fires forearm after forearm! The ref counts, the fans boo, but Kevin brings Rey to the corner. Kevin puts Rey up top, climbs up to join him, but Rey fights the suplex! Rey fires body shots, then climbs up and over, SUPER SUNSET BOMB! Kevin stagger sup, into a CODE RED!! Cover, TWO!! Rey can’t believe his shoutout to Amazing Red didn’t get it done, but the fans know “This is Awesome!” Rey stalks Kevin, whips him, but Kevin reverses. Rey springboards but Kevin gets under the crossbody! STUNNER!! Cover, TWO?!?
The fans fire up as Rey survives and Kevin is the one stunned! Kevin drags Rey to the drop zone, and he goes up the corner. Kevin aims to SWANTON but onto knees! Rey also knows that move! Rey hurries to dial it up, 619!! Kevin flounders away, and Rey climbs a corner! Kevin stagger sup, bumps the ref, and the ref hits the ropes! That trips Rey, and Kevin whips Rey for the POP-UP POWERBOMB!! Cover, Kevin wins!!
Winner: Kevin Owens, by pinfall
To think Kevin steals one away from the living legend! “The Canadian Dream” then decides to show some respect, and he helps Rey to his feet. Kevin shakes Rey’s hand, but then kicks him low! And tucks Rey in! But here comes Cody!! The fans fire up as Cody and Kevin brawl! Cody gets the better of Kevin, stomps away on him, but refs and producers rush out here! San Diego wants to “LET THEM FIGHT! LET THEM FIGHT!” but Kevin bails out of the ring, winged eagle title in hand. Cody slips free to go around thew ay, and Cody TACKLES Kevin against the desk! The fans fire up as they brawl behind the desk and almost knock Wade & Joe over!
Kevin slips away again as producers pull Cody back! Security rushes out here to also stop this! Cody stands in the ring, Kevin stands on top of a road case. February 1st is still on the horizon, will Cody and Kevin be able to wait these next two weeks?
SmackDown returns and…
Cody and Aldis are in Aldis’ office. Aldis says he tried very, very hard to be patient with Cody and Kevin, but enough is enough. They are out of control! And they won’t even follow simple instructions, like signing a contract! So Aldis has no choice. Next week, Saturday Night’s Main Event, Cody and Kevin must relinquish their respective championship belts so that they can be suspended above the ring at the Royal Rumble. Then they will sign the amended contract in the middle of that ring. And since Kevin doesn’t trust Aldis, and Aldis doesn’t know what Cody’s thinking anymore, Aldis made a call.
Someone else is going to moderate the contract signing. And how perfect for San Antonio than to get their favorite son. Yes, Cody, it’ll be the Showstopper, the Headliner, the Main Event, the Heartbreak Kid, SHAWN MICHAELS! HBK is going to be on Saturday Night’s Main Event, but will he be able to maintain order between American Nightmare and Canadian Dream?
BREAKING NEWS for Saturday Night’s Main Event!
As if San Diego didn’t explode seeing it earlier, San Antonio might erupt as we see Braun Strowman VS Jacob Fatu! Will the Monster of All Monsters be able to slay the Samoan Werewolf? Or will Jacob tear down #OneBigSOB?
Pretty Deadly regroups backstage.
Kit & Elton are confronted by DIY, and Tommaso Ciampa asks what the Hell was that out there! They practically handed the win to MCMG! Elton says admittedly, that didn’t go as planned. But Kit wants Ciampa to see the bright side. Who’s beaten MCMG? DIY! Ciampa says, “Do they think we’re scared of them? We’re not scared of anyone! This isn’t even about them!” Ciampa tells Pretty Deadly to look in the mirror. Just a couple long-haired Englishmen happy to be here, right? Ciampa hates people like that. They are a joke, and everyone is laughing at them! If Pretty Deadly wants a shot at the tag titles, “become nightmares.”
Gargano says that’s tough love. Ciampa is just saying that stuff because DIY believes in Pretty Deadly. But they do need to get their acts together. Pretty Deadly has to make life easier for DIY so DIY can make live better for Pretty Deadly. Chin up, see you next week. Gargano heads out, but Apollo Crews walks in. He pats Pretty Deadly on the shoulders, they shrug him off, but he says he was trying to tell them before. They keep letting DIY string them along, and look where it’s gotten them: Nowhere! Pretty Deadly don’t wanna hear it, Apollo wishes best of luck to them, but then Gargano comes back to attack Apollo!
Johnny Wrestling HAMMERS away on Crews, and says to keep DIY’s name out of his mouth! Gargano throws Apollo down again, then storms off. Will Apollo have to watch what he says?
A Queen is on her way back.
The FOURTEEN-TIME Women’s Champion is almost ready. Will the WWE be ready for a renewed Charlotte Flair?
WWE Women’s Championship: Tiffany Stratton VS Bayley!
We heard from both sides of this match, and oh look! Roxanne Perez is in the crowd. Bayley’s made a full lap through the WWE this week, from Raw to NXT to SmackDown. Will Bayley make this a homerun? Or will the clock keep ticking on #TiffyTime?
SmackDown returns and Tiffany makes her entrance. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and it’s time to have some gold in the Golden State!
The bell rings, Tiff and Bayley circle, then they tie up. They go around, Bayley puts Tiff in a corner, and she lets off cleanly. The fans rally and duel, the two tie up again, and Tiff puts Bayley in the corner. The ref counts, Tiff lets off at 4, and she ties up with Bayley. Tiff hits a headlock and takeover, but Bayley headscissors. Tiff kips free, headlocks, but Bayley powers out. Bayley waistlocks, Tiff switches, but Bayley bucks the O’Conner. Tiff trips Bayley, covers, ONE! Bayley trips Tiff and covers, ONE! The two back off and the fans cheer. Bayley and Tiff tie up, Bayley snapmares, and runs to ELBOW Tiff in the back!
Bayley keeps moving, but Tiff CLOBBERS her! Tiff says it’s her time, but Bayley avoids the handspring! Tiff sticks the landing, then swaggers. Tiff even goes Matrix to dodge! But then Bayley clinches! Tiff fights the suplex, throws Bayley to a corner, then runs up, Bayley ELBOWS Tiff, goes up, leaps, and arm-drags! Bayley keeps moving, SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, ONE!! Tiff gets free, and she SLAPS Bayley! Bayley gets mad, and she LARIATS up and out! Bayley dares Tiff to slap her now! The fans rally behind Bayley while SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again and Tiff has Bayley in a chinlock. Bayley fights up, the fans duel again, and Bayley JAWBREAKERS free! Tiff runs up but Bayley TOSSES her through ropes! HOTSHOT! Tiff flops back, Bayley goes to the apron, and Bayley runs to DAREDEVIL DROPKICK! Tiff staggers away, Bayley pursues, and she DAREDEVIL- NO, Tiff ducks the dropkick! Tiff kicks Bayley, pushes her through the corner, then YANKS her into the post! The fans are torn but Tiff whips Bayley hard into barriers! Tiff mocks the Bayley fans, puts Bayley in the ring, then covers, TWO! Bayley toughs it out, just as a Grand Slam Champion would.
Tiff stalks Bayley, then runs up to DOUBLE STOMP the bad arm! Cover, TWO! Tiff is annoyed, she stomps Bayley and isolates the arm. Tiff YANKS the arm back! Bayley writhes, but Tiff grabs the arm to WRING it out! Tiff covers, TWO! Tiff brings Bayley up, whips, but Bayley reverses. Bayley runs up, but Tiff puts her on the apron! Tiff ROCKS Bayley, then runs up, but Bayley jumps the sweep! But then Tiff blocks the kick! Tiff throws Bayley down! The fans rally up, Tiff grabs the leg to THROW Bayley down again! Cover, TWO! Tiff is annoyed, but she watches Bayley bail out. Tiff taunts Bayley to get back in.
The fans rally, Tiff kicks Bayley to the floor, and then Tiff again dares Bayley to get in. The ref has Tiff back off, so Tiff goes out the side. Tiff runs in around the way, but Bayley CLOBBERS her first! The ring count is climbing, Bayley eggs Tiff on. Tiff staggers up, into a FLAPJACK onto the apron! Bayley pushes Tiff in to cover, TWO! Bayley stays focused, and she drags Tiff up. Tiff ROCKS Bayley! Bayley ROCKS Tiff! Tiff kicks, Bayley blocks and KNEES back! Tiff rebounds to LARIAT! Bayley’s on the ropes, but she avoids Tiff’s hip attack! Bayley BOOTS Tiff to the outside! Bayley builds speed and DIVES, into a forearm!
Tiff puts the apron skirt over Bayley, and says, “You think you deserve a title?!” Tiff leaves Bayley dangling, and then HIP ATTACKS her against the apron! Bayley flops to the floor, Tiff leaves her behind, and the ring count climbs! The count is 5 of 10, Bayley staggers up to the apron, but Tiff HIP ATTACKS her back down! Tiff then aims to PLANCHA! But Bayley catches Tiff! BAYLEY2BELLY to the floor! The fans fire up and SmackDown goes picture in picture.
The ref checks both women, and they’re both conscious, so the match continues. Bayley drags herself up with the apron skirt, but the count is reaching 5 of 10. Tiff also stands, and both women roll in at 8! Tiff and Bayley slowly catch their breath as a standing count now begins. Bayley drags herself up with the ropes, and she heads for Tiff. Tiff rises, and she swings! Bayley blocks to counter punch! And counter punch again! And again! Tiff runs up, but Bayley LARIATS! And LARIATS! And then slips under to SAIDO!
Bayley fires up and she brings Tiff around to put through ropes! Bayley runs side to side for a KNEE LIFT! Cover, TWO! Tiff survives and Bayley snarls. Bayley drags Tiff up, whips her to a corner, then runs up to ROCK her with a forearm! Bayley puts Tiff sideways in the ropes, then goes up, STOCK DROP! Shoutout to The Boss! Or is it CEO? Cover, TWO! Bayley stays cool, and she brings Tiff back up. Bayley whips Tiff but Tiff reverses. Bayley goes up but Tiff catches her! ROLLING SENTON! Then TIFFY STOMPS! Cover, TWO! Bayley survives, but Tiff puts her in the drop zone! Tiff goes up, but Bayley ROCKS her first!
Bayley climbs up as SmackDown returns to single picture. Bayley reels Tiff in, brings her up, and SUPERPLEXES! Both women are down but the fans fire up again! Bayley crawls to a cover, TWO! Tiff stays in this, the fans rally up more, and Bayley climbs a corner. Tiff hurries to ROCK Bayley! Tiff HOTSHOTS Bayley’s bad arm! Bayley falls from the apron, tumbles into the desk, but Tiff hurries to fetch her. Tiff goes up the corner again, for a TIFFY SWANTON! Then she reels Bayley in, for a TIFFY BOMB! Cover, TWO!! Bayley survives but Tiff clamps on a FUJIWARA ARMBAR! The fans rally and duel as Bayley endures!
Bayley reaches out, rolls Tiff around to a cover, TWO!! Tiff lets go in time, and she wants the arm again! But Bayley THROWS Tiff out! Tiff staggers, but she grabs Bayley’s legs! Tiff drags Bayley out, CLUBS her, and then runs up! Cartwheel into the- NO, Bayley fights the lift! “This is Awesome!” as Bayley GOURD BUSTERS Tiff onto the desk! The fans fire up as Bayley then suplexes Tiff to the floor! It was almost a brainbuster! But now Roxie has to talk smack to Bayley. Bayley says watch and learn, kid! Bayley drags Tiff into the ring, goes up a corner, and MACHO ELBOWS! Cover, TWO!! Tiff survives, but ends up in a CROSSFACE!!
Bayley wants to make a statement, but Tiff SLAMS the bad arm off the mat! But Bayley gets up! BAYLEY- NO, Tiff arm-drags free, then SPINEBUSTERS! High stack, TWO!! Bayley survives and Tiff is growing frustrated. San Diego continues to rally but Tiff drags Bayley to a drop zone. Tiff stomps Bayley, then brings her up for a fireman’s carry. But Bayley fights free! Bayley clinches, BAYLEY2BELLY!! Cover, TWO!!! Tiff survives and Bayley is beside herself! Bayley drags Tiff up, reels her in, btu Tiff wrenches to ARM CODE BREAKER! Tiff hurries to the corner! PRETTIEST MOON- NO, Bayley trips Tiff up! And then she runs, SUNSET FLIP BUCKLE BOMB!
Bayley drags Tiff from the corner to cover, TWO!! Tiff stays in this but Bayley wants more! Fireman’s carry, SWINGING SIDE SLAM! Cover, TWO!! Tiff survives Bayley bringing out some classics, and then Tiff sends her into buckles! Tiff KICKS Bayley in the face, then backslides! TWO, and the arms stay hooked up! Bayley stands up, spins Tiff around, hooks her up, REOSE- NO, Tiff cartwheels through! ALABAMA SLAM! Tiff goes up! PRETTIEST MOONSAULT EVER!! Cover, TIFF WINS!
Winner: Tiffany Stratton, by pinfall (still WWE Women’s Champion)
Bayley gave Tiffy Time an all-time first defense, and Tiff found a way to win! No cheating, no shortcuts, just Tiffy! Will no one stop her from making even more #Tiffstory?
My Thoughts:
A great SmackDown that made the best of the three hours. For one, it was only natural Rey Mysterio would be here for San Diego SmackDown, and it was good stuff to have him be part of the Cody VS Kevin story this week. Good promos all around, and then an awesome match between Kevin and Rey. Kevin continues to be a genius in the details, from his “Canadian Dream” shirt to then wearing a Rey Mysterio Hall of Fame shirt for the match, and with how he made the rope trip look like a mistake so that the ref can’t reprimand him. Great win for Kevin, great brawl with Cody, and HBK returning to main roster for the contract signing is going to be awesome.
Good promo from Bianca and Naomi before, and Naomi was maybe the smallest bit of passive aggressive towards Bianca over the braid. The tag match with Nia & Candice was great, and that was a great win for Naomi & Bianca. The way this is going, Jade Cargill is going to show herself again for that NXT episode in Atlanta to say it was Naomi, which then costs Bianca & Naomi the titles, making Lash & Jakara the new champs and finally getting those titles back in NXT. Then Bianca and Jade can feud with Naomi in trying to figure out #WhyNaomiWhy, and we can have “The Big 3” even end up in a Triple Threat.
Good promo from Jimmy VS Melo, very good match, mostly on Melo, but of course Tama & Jacob had to “ruin” things. But in a great twist, Solo Sikoa just silently quits on things, so Jacob takes it upon himself to take command. Surely once Tonga Loa is back, and then should they finally bring Hikuleo in, Jacob’s Bloodline can go wild, which compels Solo to make amends with at least his brothers, Jimmy & Jey. LA Knight & Braun Strowman getting in on things is great, too, and we’re going to get an awesome match between Braun and Jacob.
Very good promo from B-Fab & Mia with Chelsea & Piper, and very good match from B-Fab VS Piper, but of course Chelsea helps Piper win that. Mia coming for the save made sense, and that’s definitely a tag match in the making. Great match from MCMG VS Los Garza, but I should’ve figured Pretty Deadly would get involved. The twist was that it didn’t affect anything, MCMG still won. DIY being disappointed in Pretty Deadly, but then Gargano attacking Apollo, that’s some good stuff going forward. DIY VS MCMG is certainly the planned title match, but maybe Apollo finds a new teammate with Baron Corbin not in WWE.
Charlotte being on her way back is great, that vignette was really well done. This is good timing given the Royal Rumble is coming, but also because the title scenes could use some freshening up. Tiff and Bayley each had great promos tonight, and they had an awesome main event match. Roxie being in the crowd was a good detail, but she didn’t really cost Bayley, outside of maybe Bayley starting to split her focus at the end. But naturally, Tiffy won because she’s only just getting her reign going. Tiff could face just about anyone for WrestleMania, but I would think the next challenger is Nia Jax. Tiff needs to prove she can beat Nia straight up, and that’ll be an awesome match.
My Score: 8.9/10
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Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
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Coverage
Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 1.16.25
The Go Home for Genesis this Sunday! Let’s see what happens!
So Genesis is Sunday, followed by next week’s Live Episode of iMPACT! Let’s see exactly how we get to Genesis and not to bury the lead, the fact the WWE/TNA partnership was extended for a few years is very big news for TNA. More visibility for a nostalgic brand and the younger NXT wrestlers get more opportunities with potential sprinkles of a big name here or there (yes I only really mean AJ Styles, but that’s what we all want to see one more time).
Let’s get to the show and see if it’s a Go Home worth anything.
After her shocking appearance on @WWENXT, @mashaslamovich steps into the confessional with @WeAreRosemary…
WATCH #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/Dw7ITswj28 pic.twitter.com/YSTXfJZw6X
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) January 17, 2025
Ratings:
- Trent Seven vs Leon Slater: Slater wins via Swanton 450 – *
- Fir$t Cla$$ vs Maniac Marines (Eric Young & Steve Maclin): EY wins via Macho Elbow – ** 3/4
- Laredo Kid vs Jake Something: Jakes wins via Avalanche Something Bomb – **
- The Hardys vs Ohio Versus Frankenstein (Sami Callihan & PCO): Hardys win via Crouton Bomb – ***
Results:
Trent Seven vs Leon Slater
British on British violence! I just appreciate that Trent’s theme is a down tuned remix of Seven Nation Army.
A little back and forth until Slater hits a Reverse Gamengiri, Trent tries to climb back to the apron after the powder, eats a Shotgun Kick. Trent dodges the dive, and Suplexes Leon down the steps at Center Stage. I feel like Slater over sold the spot, but I suppose using your surroundings is always interesting. Leon slides in at 9.5, Trent gets a little cocky and Leon hits two Flash Cradles for near falls, as Trent is reeling from the quick pinfall attempts he eats another Shotgun Kick for a near fall. Trent sells to the corner, eats a Jumping Bootwash, Leon perches Trent, goes for possibly a Spanish Fly but Trent turns it into an Avalanche Flowsion for two!
Bop and Bang, 7 Star Lariat, Piledriver with flourish and…still a two. Birminghammer attempt but Slater flips out of it, Crucifix pinfall for two, Uppercut by Trent and Birminghammer is hit! But Slater…kicks…out? He sells a Suplex where he slides down steps like death, but eats huge signature and finishing moves and kicks out. The psychology in this match is non-existent. Trent does the Finger Break, Leon sells away, hits another Shotgun Kick and Trent powders. X Plex gets reversed into a DDT from Slater. Trent powders off the Ramp, Leon goes to the entrance way runs and jumps off the ramp, then hits the Swanton 450.
Completely stupid match with spots that make no sense. All sizzle no steak, so dumb my IQ dropped 5 points.
The Elegance Clique have a “Pre-Launch Championship Celebration”. Tom Hannifan hates it, the crowd hates it, and the Personal Concierge uncovers a cardboard cut out with a Knockouts Title around their waists…and they are size accurate. Heather is like a My Size Barbie. Ash gives a very cringey speech where she thanks everyone except Heather, the Concierge passes the mic to Heather, Spitfire interrupts of course, and at least Dani cuts the promo to start so it’s tolerable. Yeah this is painfully bad cringe, as much as I didn’t mind the Ash gimmick to start with, this is lame. The only thing saving the segment is the crowd is hot for the the Elegance Clique getting their stuff ruined. So it was lame, but the crowd was into it and Ash sold the destruction of cardboard cut outs like Spitfire just murdered her puppy.
.@PCOisNotHuman and @TheSamiCallihan take on The Hardys! If they win, they’ll secure their spot in the TNA World Tag Team Title match at #TNAGenesis!
WATCH #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/Dw7ITswQRG pic.twitter.com/fO9P2F5d9d
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) January 17, 2025
Well the first 40 minutes of this show are making me wish for a stroke instead of watching this. So hopefully it picks up somewhere.
Fir$t Cla$$ vs Maniac Marines (Eric Young & Steve Maclin)
KC flips out of two of EY’s Back Body Drops and does his “First Class” taunt, so EY just slaps him upside the head and tags in Maclin to start beating on Navarro. I do really like KC’s work. He’s like WWE Lio Rush, but likable and talented. Maclin is beating the hell out of KC though, Lariats him out, goes for the SCUD, but AJ low bridges so Maclin crashes to the outside, KC hits the Tope con Hilo with blind tag so AJ is now legal and they start working over Maclin in the corner. Tennessee Whiskey, and there does seem to be a few First Class fans in the crowd.
Navarro is back in for the 305, quick tags though to keep Maclin eating offense. Splash into Big Boot into Assisted Splash while AJ leans on Maclin literally. KC starts picking on kids in the crowd near Judd Normand, he shoves the actor, the actor shoves him back and AJ comes over to mad dog the actor. Maclin takes advantage of the distraction and drops AJ on the way back in with an Olympic Slam, tags in EY and EY comes out hot. KC tags in, EY levels KC and they start messing around in the corner, AJ tries to break it up but eats a Busaiku Knee from Maclin and then a SCUD. EY manages to throw KC off the turnbuckle and then hit the Macho Elbow for the win.
After the match Eddie, Lish and Brian Myers stand at the entrance way to send a message but not cause any real chaos.
Josh Alexander and his two bitch boys come out to cut a promo on Santana or something. I am about as interested in this as I am in Norwegian Dog Sledding. Josh trying to say Santana is too hurt to go at Genesis when we all know this was filmed the same time like a month ago. You really can’t do doofus attempts a story when you’re promoting the first live episode in nearly a decade or something for next week. At least the match should be good because this build is lame, the jabronis are useless, “Bald Ass Head” is the big insult…sheeeesh.
Laredo Kid vs Jake Something
Well…someone has to win this match, so there’s that.
Nothing special start until Jake comes off the ropes and runs over Laredo sending him flying over the ropes onto the ramp. Jake panders to the crowd, Laredo tries to get something going but Jake steps on his foot to stop any Lucha things, and mollywops him. Jake runs him corner to corner until Laredo moves, strings a few moves together, tries to fly and then gets knocked out of the sky with a Forearm. Only a two count for Jake, but Laredo is definitely doing his best impression of a pinata so far in the match. Laredo gets a desperation Satellite DDT, misses his big attempt, but Jake misses the Spear in the corner, La Magistral gets a 2, a few bad spots from Laredo where it looks like he missed a Satellite Facebuster and sloppy Essex or Canadian Destroyer. Laredo goes to the top, Jake bear paw slap, goes up top and Avalanche Something Bomb for the win.
The Hardys vs Ohio Versus Frankenstein (Sami Callihan & PCO)
Before the Hardys intro, the 23 thing flashes a few times again. So at least they didn’t forget that.
Sami starts with Jeff and gets in a few early shots and goads Jeff with Hardys taunts, then all four get in, throw hands and we go to commercial. We come back from commercial to Matt Delete Turnbuckling Sami, and then Poetry In Motion the classic way! A few quick tags, but Sami eventually knocks down Matt, tags in PCO, Matt’s moves aren’t very effective, Jeff throws himself in too and they get their asses beat by PCO. PCO tags in Sami, Sami slaps around Matt, drags his face across the ropes, tags PCO back in and uses PCO as a battering ram into Matt’s chest. PCO keeps Matt in their corner, tags back in Sami, some simple tandem work and a short 2 count for Sami. Sami calls PCO back in and they’re formulating a tag move, they try the Double Back Drop, but Matt turns it into a Double DDT instead.
Jeff tries to fight them both off, Sami grabs Jeff, PCO goes for the Lariat, malfunction at the junction, Whisper in the Wind mostly hits PCO so Jeff Splashes Sami. Twist of Hate, Twist of Fate, Swanton Bomb from Jeff and the Hardy Boys win!
Before the obligatory contract signing on the Go Home before a PPV, Jordynne walks over to the announce table with the contract for her match with Tessa. Says she’ll leave it with them so she can’t miss it, but hey, “if she doesn’t show up at Genesis it wouldn’t be the first time”. That’s funny.
Joe starts the promo saying he has to win, but its on him to take the title from Nic. There’s an intensity, so it’s not all cornball jokes and shenanigans. That’s kinda nice to start with. Nic takes the babyface angle of “you’re not wrong but I don’t think you’re ready yet kid”. Then he plays the JBL clip from Bound for Glory. Nic tries to use the video to clear his name because Ryan got attacked too. Joe is about to poke a hole in the defense but then Hollywood Abyss Mokuba shows up. “MY BROTHER SETO” Ryan interferes, Nic tries to stop the stupidity but Ryan plows through is about to eat a Standing Ovation but Nic Superkicks Joe to save Mokuba. Nic does stand there as the crowd chants “kick your brother”, but Nic doesn’t pull the trigger but you can tell he’s contemplating.
OH! Sexy Tessy shows up, signs the contract but Jordynne was waiting for her and leaves Tessa laying with a Grace Driver and solid intensity. Okay most of the show was kinda mid but the ending was pretty solid.
Overall Score: 6.25/10
As I said at the very end, most of this show was mid…or mediocre for the older crowd. Indie Spotfest Dumbassery to kick off the show, a few segments that made me question if I was tasting pennies, a decent match with First Class, the stalled push never relevant squad match between Jake and Laredo, and at least the main event match was fun.
The video packages always feel lackluster because the only people really watching TNA currently are hardcore fans. I never really see too many people pull the whole “whoa first TNA episode in 11 years and I decided on the random Go Home instead of the first live episode since 2015”. See, this is why logic matters in booking. WWE gets to have the mentality of “it could be someone’s first time watching it” every week because they the biggest show in town. The name alone will garner random views or transient lapsed fans if they get a whiff of something. However when it comes down to TNA, people are only surprised its still alive.
Even with many questionable hours it wasn’t terrible. It did fine…plus like I just said, there’s opportunity for more random eyes thanks to the WWE merger AND a live episode next week. So the Go Home format won’t change, but hopefully the exposure gives us more congruent storylines.
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CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
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