Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (4/22/22)
Time to run it back!
Rematches and remixes, all on a Friday night!
Matt Riddle beat Jimmy last week, now he looks to beat Jey this week! Will the Stallion on a win over both SmackDown Tag Team Champions this close to Backlash?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Xavier Woods w/ Kofi Kingston VS “Butch” Pete Dunne w/ Ridge Holland & Sheamus; Woods wins.
- GUNTHER w/ Ludwig Kaiser VS Teddy Goodz; Gunther wins.
- Matt Riddle w/ Randy Orton VS Jey Uso w/ Jimmy Uso; Riddle wins.
- Mad Cap Moss VS Angel Garza w/ Humberto Carrillo; Moss wins.
- Lumberjack Match: Sami Zayn VS Drew McIntyre; McIntyre wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Adam Pearce is in the ring.
And he welcomes Albany, New York to SmackDown. He welcomes “perhaps the most dominant female in sports entertainment,” the game changer, the opportunity, and the SmackDown Women’s Champion, Charlotte Flair! Charlotte makes her way to the ring, and she soaks up all the heat. Then Pearce welcomes Charlotte’s challenger, “a legend in her own right, and the Baddest Woman on the Planet, Rowdy Ronda Rousey!” Fans cheer as Ronda heads to the ring, and they sit at the table. This contract signing is for their WrestleMania Backlash match, so they just need to sign on… Wait, where IS the contract?
Drew Gulak appears, he’s apparently Pearce’s new intern. Gulak hands the contract over and then tells “Mr. Pearce” that he is very pumped for this opportunity and he is taking it seriously. In fact, Gulak has prepared a PowerPoint presentation to break down and analyze the rules of an I Quit match! Charlotte tells Gulak to shut up. Or does he want to make her quit his new job before he even begins? Ronda says that’s real tough of Charlotte to pick on an intern. Charlotte tells Ronda, “Guess what? I beat you at WrestleMania! But if you want to hear the rules so bad, I’ll explain them.”
Fans taunt Charlotte with “You Tapped Out!” But Charlotte says she was fixing her bra! But she gets to the rules of the I Quit match: “There are no rules. No disqualifications, no count outs, no pinfalls.” The only way to win is for the opponent to say, “I Quit.” And Charlotte’s been fantasizing about how she’ll make Ronda quit. Maybe a boot to her face? No, too easy. Maybe a Figure Four? No, the Figure Eight! So painful, but also predictable. How else to make her quit? Maybe just a good ol’ fashioned beating. But it won’t matter, because Charlotte always finds a way to win. So at Backlash, Ronda will say two of the most beautiful words in the English language. Say them with her: I, quit.
Charlotte then takes the contract and signs on the dotted line. Then she passes it to Ronda and fans cheer her name. Charlotte says, “I beat her at WrestleMania. Uh-ohhh.” But Ronda says just so Charlotte knows what she’s getting into, that means there’s no ref to spare her embarrassment. What embarrassment? She won at Mania. She tapped out. No, she won at Mania. Fans still chant, “You Tapped Out!” Charlotte says she is still champion. Well, this time, no ref is going to pull Ronda off Charlotte or save Charlotte. Charlotte will say Ronda is better than her. Charlotte will abandon her baby, that title, and not spared the humiliation when she says, “I Quit.”
But then Charlotte tosses the table! And she had a kendo stick under it! She SMACKS away, but Ronda blocks it to throw Charlotte down! Ronda has the stick and she SMACKS away! Gulak tries to save Charlotte and he does get the kendo stick, only for Ronda to throw him with the PIPER’S PIT! And then she drags Gulak by his arm. He hands over the contract, and a pen, and she puts on the ARMBAR while she signs! Ronda proves she can multitask, and she teases Charlotte for being sore. Will Ronda multitask at Backlash when she rips Charlotte’s arm off and makes her say those dreaded words?
Xavier Woods w/ Kofi Kingston VS “Butch” Pete Dunne w/ Ridge Holland & Sheamus!
King Woods may have won their first match-up, but then Butch attacked backstage completely unprovoked! Will Woods just get Dunne with another roll-up? Or will the Bruiserweight break Woods and tie things up?
SmackDown returns and the Fight Night Boys make their entrance. The bell rings and Dunne goes right for Woods! Woods O’Conner Rolls him, TWO! Another roll-up, TWO! Woods CHOPS Dunne, ROCKS him with haymakers and CHOPS again. Dunne goes to ropes, Woods CHOPS him again and Kofi says Woods is taking Dunne to town. Woods whips, Dunne reverses but Woods dodges. Woods JABS and JABS and body shots! Woods knees Dunne then LARIATS! Ridge and Sheamus coach while Woods covers, TWO! Woods stands Dunne up but Dunne DECKS him! Dunne rains down hammering hands, then isolates an arm. Dunne drops knees on the elbow!
Dunne keeps on the arm, bends it back, and even twists the wrist. Woods endures, fans rally, but Dunne bends the fingers! Dunne isolates the arm to STOMP it! Dunne scowls and stalks Woods to a corner, then brings him up for a back suplex. Woods lands on his feet to waistlock, but Dunne elbows him away. Dunne whips, Woods reverses but Dunne reverses back. Woods goes up and over, but Dunne fish hooks his mouth! Dunne RAMS Woods into buckles, then sits Woods back up. Dunne digs knuckles into Woods’ face, smothers Woods, but the ref counts. Dunne lets off, runs, but Woods sends him out!
Dunne staggers up, Woods runs and WRECKS him with a dropkick! Dunne ends up on the announce desk, then flounders off it! Woods fires up but Ridge and Sheamus shield Dunne. Kofi backs Woods up, Dunne LEAPS to CLOBBER Woods! Dunne wants to start stuff with Kofi but Sheamus keeps him back, and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Dunne has Woods down with a chinbar. Woods fights up, moves around, but Dunne keeps his chin and arm hooked. Dunne wrangles Woods down and cranks on the hold, but Woods still endures. Dunne grabs the far arm, twists it, bends fingers, then bends Woods’ arm back to stomp the ribs! Woods writhes and crawls away but Dunne gets his arm. Dunne cranks the armlock, grinds the shoulder, but Woods fights up. Fans rally, Woods throws forearms, but Dunne holds onto the wrist! Woods breaks free to CHOP and ROCK and CHOP again! Woods keeps on Dunne over and over on the ropes!
The ref counts, Dunne whips but Woods ducks and dodges to slide and ROLLING ELBOW! Fans fire up, Dunne ducks a kick but not the leg sweep! SENTON! Fans fire up with Woods and he fireman’s carries. Dunne pulls an ear to get free! Dunne SLAPS Woods, Woods goes to a corner and Dunne runs in to GAMANGIRI! Dunne brings Woods out, X-PLEX! Cover, TWO! Woods survives and Sheamus can’t believe it! Sheamus and Ridge coach Dunne and Dunne follows Woods to ropes. Woods goes to the apron but Dunne kicks away at him through the ropes! The ref counts, Dunne lets off but then drags Woods in through ropes.
Woods breaks free to STEP-IN DDT! Cradle, WOODS WINS AGAIN!
Winner: Xavier Woods, by pinfall
Butch got lost in the Back Woods again! Sheamus and Ridge want Dunne to keep it calm, but he just starts punching a turnbuckle! The straps are down and Dunne storms off into the crowd, to get a security guard! Dunne TOSSES that guy before leaving the arena! Sheamus and Ridge have no idea what to do about this, will Dunne ever come back?
Aliyah talks with Ricochet.
She tells him the match with Jinder Mahal last week was incredible! Jinder’s so big but Ricochet flew around like nobody’s business. So far, he’s beaten Jinder, Sami, and both Los Lotharios! What’s next? This is just the beginning. It is truly an honor to hold this title. Some of the best ever have held the Intercontinental Championship, and that is his plan: to become one of the best ever. Jinder laughs at that. Ricochet, an all-time great? That was a fluke! If Ricochet is a fighting champion, he’ll defend his title again! That’s exactly what Ricochet wants. He’ll take on anybody at any time. Then Shanky wants a shot! Alright, Ricochet’s up for that.
Jinder is a bit surprised, but will Shanky do what not even the Modern Day Maharaja could do? Or will the One and Only become One of the Greats?
Ludwig Kaiser stands on stage.
In German, and then in English, he says, “Ladies and gentlemen. What you’re about to witness is dignified domination, executed by unprecedented precision. A diabolical athlete who will stop at nothing to uphold the integrity and honor of this great sport. DER RING GENERAL…! GUNTAAA!” That is to say, Gunther is here! Who will he grind into the mat to make sure that the mat is sacred?
GUNTHER w/ Ludwig Kaiser VS ???
SmackDown returns and Gunther’s opponent is Teddy Goodz. The bell rings, Gunther and Goodz stare down. They tie up, Gunther wrenches, wristlocks, knuckle locks, and straight arm levers for a SLAM! Fans chant “WAL~TER!” as Goodz endures the wristlock. Gunther cranks the wrist, Goodz kips up but his dropkick whiffs as Gunther moves. Gunther then BOOTS Goodz down! Kaiser enjoys it like a symphony as Gunther EuroUppers Goodz to a corner. Gunther puts Goodz up top to CHOP, then climbs up to STAND on Goodz! The ref counts, Gunther lets off and Goodz flops to the apron. Gunther suplexes Goodz up and into the ring!
Gunther circles like a shark, then CHOPS Goodz off his feet. Kaiser applauds as Gunther stomps Goodz all around. And then CHOPS him down again! Gunther then drags Goodz up, scoops and SLAMS him, and then CHOPS him on the back! SLEEPER HOLD!! Goodz flails, but Gunther turns him around for a POWERBOMB! High stack, Gunther wins!
Winner: Gunther, by pinfall
That did not feel good for Goodz, but Imperium’s leader continues to conquer. How long until Der Ring General is seen worthy of challenging for a championship?
RKBRO talks backstage.
Matt Riddle says last week was so awesome with that sick pop-up RKO on Jimmy. He is getting that same feeling because he’ll hit Jey with something even sicker. Riddle always loves visiting SmackDown, too, because he gets to see his best buds from the blue brand. Speak of the devil, it’s Drew McIntyre! Oh, wait, okay, Riddle knows things were a little “weird” in the past between Drew and Randy, but Riddle has an idea for a fresh start. RKBRO are gonna be lumberjacks in Drew’s match with Sami! And don’t worry, Randy, you don’t have to wear flannel. Right, Drew?
Drew says he saw last week. As far as he’s concerned, anyone who stands up to the Bloodline’s BS is good in his book. Orton looks at Riddle and Riddle nods. Orton says he and Drew are good. Then Orton heads off and Riddle says they’ll see him out there. But wait, Sami is lurking. Is the Master Strategist thinking he can take advantage of this?
Xia Li speaks.
She was the Protector. But no one is worthy of protection! Now, she protects only herself.
Matt Riddle w/ Randy Orton VS Jey Uso w/ Jimmy Uso!
The Raw and SmackDown Tag Team Champions are set for a collision course at Backlash, so the name of the game is momentum! But will the Stallion add Jey’s name to the list of Usos he’s beaten? Or will the Right Hand Man make Roman Reigns proud by getting one on Riddle?
SmackDown returns and the Usos make their entrance. Roman and Heyman are watching from the private suite, so the pressure is on. The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, Riddle waistlocks and slams Jey, then wraps on a sleeper! Jey scrambles to the ropebreak and Riddle lets off quickly. Riddle and Jey reset, they tie up, and Jey headlocks. Riddle throws body shots, powers out of the hold, but Jey runs him over! Things speed up, Riddle leaps to get the SLEEPER! Jey manages to throw Riddle away, then he ROCKS Riddle with an uppercut! Jey rains down rights against the ropes but lets off as the ref counts.
Jey paces, then brings Riddle up to whip corner to corner. Riddle goes up and over to ROUNDHOUSE Jey down! Even Jimmy felt that one. Riddle gut wrench suplexes Jey away, then has Jey on ropes. Riddle fires forearms, fans rally behind him, but Jey reverses the whip to CLOBBER Riddle with an elbow! Riddle sputters but Jey stomps him down. Riddle gets to ropes, Jey throws more forearms. Jey CHOPS Riddle against ropes, then CHOPS again. Jey whips Riddle to ropes, but Riddle kicks back! Jey falls, Riddle runs but Jey dodges the Penalty Kick! Jey bails out but Riddle builds speed and DIVES into a haymaker!
Jey drags Riddle out, then whips him into steel steps! Orton paces while Riddle writhes, but Jey drags him back up to copy Orton’s ANNOUNCE DESK BACK SUPLEX! Riddle writhes more while the Usos taunt him, and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again as Jey has Riddle in a chinlock. Riddle endures and fights his way up, throws body shots, but then blocks a kick only for Jey to DRAGON WHIP! Jey hushes the crowd as he and Jimmy raise their fingers, #WeTheOnes. Jey then watches Riddle crawl around, brings him up, and ROCKS Riddle with a forearm! Riddle ROCKS Jey back! Jey ROCKS Riddle again, but Riddle ROCKS Jey back again. Riddle eggs Jey on so Jey ROCKS him again. Riddle ROCKS Jey, so Jey uppercuts! Riddle CHOPS, Jey uppercuts again! Riddle fires off forearms and Albany fires up! Jey shoves Riddle but Riddle BOOTS him!
Riddle spins Jey around, PELE! Jey goes to a corner, Riddle runs in to forearm smash! Riddle goes side to side, another forearm! Then a BROSPLODER! Orton and the fans fire up and Riddle runs, PEN- NO! Jey ducks that, dodges the standing moonsault, and even avoids the Broton! Riddle crashes down, Roman is watching and seems a little upset Jey isn’t capitalizing. Jey gets up, fans rally and duel, and Orton coaches Riddle. Jey snarls, waistlocks Riddle, back suplex, but Riddle land son his feet! Ripcord and FINAL FLASH KNEE! Riddle drags Jey to a drop zone, he goes up, FLOATING BRO! Cover, TWO!!
Jey survives and Riddle is shocked but Jimmy fires up! Riddle drags Jey up and fireman’s carries, but Jey slips off to roll-up! TWO, Riddle sends Jey out and through ropes! Riddle still wants to shout out Orton, DRAPING DDT! Fans are fired up again, but Jimmy gets on the apron! Riddle rushes over but Jimmy gets away. Jimmy is taunting Riddle but Orton gets behind him, ANNOUNCE DESK BACK SUPLEX! Jimmy is writhing, Riddle aims at Jey! Riddle hears the voices, Jey staggers up, RK- NO! Push and pop-up, into a waistlock! POP-UP NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!! Riddle barely survives and Albany is fired up!
Jey and Riddle crawl to opposite ends, fans are dueling again, and Orton fires everyone up. Jey says Riddle ain’t getting this one! “UCE!” “OH!” and Jey runs in, into a BUSAIKU KNEE! But Jey rebounds to SUPERKICK! Jey climbs, Roman actually looks excited, USO SPLASH onto knees!! Cover, Riddle wins!!
Winner: Matt Riddle, by pinfall
And Roman’s excitement becomes disbelief! The Usos have lost back-to-back to the Stallion! Will this momentum help RKBRO blaze right through Jimmy & Jey and become undisputed tag team champions?
Sasha Banks & Naomi are here!
The Boss & Glow are still WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions, and now Liv Morgan & Rhea Ripley aren’t even a team anymore! What will the champs have to say about their next chapter? We’ll find out, after the break.
SmackDown returns and Kayla Braxton interviews Sasha & Naomi in the ring. It was two months ago that Naomi called the shot and that we would see new tag team champions. At WrestleMania 38, Naomi & Sasha won and have been unstoppable. Has this reign been everything they hoped? Oh, they are just getting started! Fans cheer, “You Deserve It!” Naomi says she called her shot because she knew what she and Sasha could do with the opportunity. They backed it up, they’re dominating the tag division, and glowing while they’re doing it. Sasha says that is right. They are trailblazers, history makers, and more than just a team. They are a sisterhood. UNITY~!
Naomi has had Sasha’s back since day one and she will always have Naomi’s. Just look at their style! They flow together so well in and out of the ring, that is why the Boss & Glow have no competition! Oh, yes. They sent Mella packing on her honeymoon, caused Rhea & Liv to self-destruct, and it doesn’t matter who is coming next. But wait, here comes Natalya & Shayna Baszler! Natty says sorry to bring this up, but Sasha forgot the two women that weren’t beat at Mania. Oh, right, they were there. But they were stuck watching Sasha & Naomi win. Natty sarcastically says Sasha is adorable, but talking about history makers, Natty is a THREE-TIME Guinness World Record Holder!
For what? Posting the worst dances or loving cats? Shayna keeps Natty back, and says it’s good to see the champs having fun now. Because Spades & Hart are going to stretch and snap every bone in their bodies, limb by limb, then take the titles. Then the fun is over. What we’re looking at are the NEXT Women’s Tag Team Champions. Shayna then shoves Sasha down! Naomi has to keep Sasha back now, and the champs show off the belts. Try and take ’em! Shayna’s called her shot for her team, will they hit it out of the park just like Naomi & Sasha did?
Mad Cap Moss gets in some stretches.
But Happy Corbin walks over to ruin the mood. Corbin was “happy” to see Moss get his win last week. Really, congrats. Obviously, Corbin’s mentoring paid off. But look. It’s time. Moss made his point. They both said some harsh things, so Corbin will be the bigger man. He is willing to forgive Moss. So, will Moss come back? Moss says they did share some good laughs. But Moss going back to being Corbin’s sidekick? There’s as much chance of that happening as Corbin has of growing back a full head of hair. That ship sailed! Moss laughs it up, and then gets “serious” as Corbin stares at him. Corbin leaves and Moss keeps laughing, will Moss prove he never needed Corbin?
SmackDown looks closer at Raquel Rodriguez.
“No one can compare to Raquel.” Big Mami Cool conquered NXT, she is the brick wall no one can get through. Former NXT Women’s Champion, former TWO-TIME NXT Women’s Tag Team Champion, she has never ducked or dodged a fight, and she will knock everyone down. Ricky Desperado finally has a match on SmackDown next week!
Mad Cap Moss VS Angel Garza w/ Humberto Carrillo!
Speaking of not needing Corbin’s help, Moss did just fine on his own against uno Lothario. Will Moss do even better against the other? Or will the cousins craft a way to turn the joke back on Moss?
SmackDown returns, the Lethal Lovers make their entrance, and that of course means they bring out the kiss cam. As always, there’s a lovely lady up front that they find and they kiss her on both cheeks. Moss still dares them to try his cheeks, but they pass. The bell rings and Moss ties up with Garza. Moss puts Garza in a corner, lets off, and Garza sucker punches him! Moss stays up and laughs that off. They tie up, Moss ROCKS Garza! And then waistlock SLAMS him! Garza goes for a leg, Moss CLUBS away on him! Moss knees Garza low, then blows him a kiss. Garza blocks that, but Moss ducks the clothesline, hurdles, ducks and CLOBBERS Garza!
Fans fire up and Moss blows that kiss now. Carrillo distracts, Moss swipes at him, and Garza runs in! Moss TOSSES Garza out onto Carrillo! Moss says kiss this, then he puts Garza in. Carrillo anchors a leg! Garza basement dropkicks Moss! Garza fires off on Moss, puts him on the ropes, and then Garza CHOPS! Garza whips, Moss holds ropes, so Garza CHOPS again. Garza whips, Moss reverses and he catches Garza’s crossbody for a FALL AWAY SLAM! Moss fires off haymakers in the corner, stomps and punches, but whips corner to corner at 4. Moss RAMS into Garza, clotheslines Carrillo out of the ring, then Moss CLOBBERS Garza!
Fans fire up with Moss and he gives thumbs up. Moss reels Garza in, turns him, PUNCHLINE! Cover, Moss wins!
Winner: Mad Cap Moss, by pinfall
Moss is all fired up for another big win! He’s swept Los Lotharios, will he continue to clean up and- Corbin attacks! Happy isn’t so happy as he punches and stomps Moss in a corner! Corbin is angry with the fans booing him, but then he reels Moss in for END OF DAYS! And then Corbin goes out to look at the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal trophy. Corbin STEALS the trophy! Corbin’s name is technically on it, but will Moss have to fight Corbin to get back what’s rightfully his?
Sami Zayn is in a good mood backstage.
He goes to Roman Reigns’ room? Sami thinks of how to introduce himself. Is he going to talk with the Tribal Chief? We’ll have to wait and see, after the break.
SmackDown returns, and Roman is talking with the Usos. Jey says he was gonna get Riddle, he swears. Jey promises it won’t happen again. Heyman walks over to say they have a guest who wants to see Roman. It’s Sami… Roman looks over and Sami walks in. How’re they doing? First and foremost, Sami acknowledges Roman. He’s a big fan. All the smashing and punching, it is great. There is no dispute, Roman is Head of the Table. Sometimes people forget that on top of Master Strategist, Sami is a locker room leader. Roman doesn’t have to worry about that stuff since he has his own locker room, but Sami hears and sees everything that’s going on.
Sami just wants to give Roman an example. Earlier, he saw McIntyre getting real chummy with RKBRO, the very team the Usos have that tag title unification match with. So now, RKBRO is going to be part of the lumberjacks during Sami’s match and uh, that’s really unbelievable. Sami would never snitch, he’s not a rat, but he also heard them say some very disrespectful things about the entire Bloodline. Sami kneels as he says this just brings him to a proposal. Sami’s name and reputation has taken hit after hit, and now it’s even worse because people think he is afraid of McIntyre! He’s not, by the way.
But what he needs right now, more than anything, is to beat McIntyre and regain that respect he is owed. Sami needs to win. So if you can guess what he’s getting at, if there was some way that he could maybe get some help out there, Sami would be more than happy to help the Bloodline in return. Trust Sami when he says he can be a very, very valuable ally. Sami acknowledges Roman, so Roman needs to recognize him out of that acknowledgement. Roman doesn’t respond, he just stares at Sami. Good talk. Sami’s gotta go get ready.
Sami leaves, and Roman is believing him when he talks about people running their mouths. “Take my name out their mouths. Understand?” Is that Roman saying the Usos are to join that Lumberjack Match in Sami’s corner?
Lacey Evans shares more of her life story.
“Growing up, if we weren’t living in tents, we were in trailers with holes in the floor, or small houses covered in mold. And the more money my dad did bring in, uh, the more drugs and anger came with it.” Lacey grew up in her most important years of her life without a mom. She wasn’t there to teach Lacey how to do hair, make-up, or get ready for prom. Lacey didn’t have mom as a shoulder to cry on, and was left sobbing in a pile of dirty clothes. Lacey does her own make-up before shows because at such a young age, she learned that if you want something done right, you do it yourself. Lacey taught herself what beauty and confidence were.
By the time she was 15 years old, Lacey competed in wrestling. Undefeated at #1 in the entire state of Florida, ninth in the nation. With the lack of support from home, it was up to Lacey to push herself to succeed. When you don’t have anyone to rely on and nothing to lose, you realize how unstoppable and strong you can be. But even with all that work, just imagine walking two miles, in the rain, all the way home, soaked to the bone and tired from juggling both job and school and wrestling and doing the best you can, only to find your father high and passed out on the couch, burning cigarette falling out of his mouth.
“It makes you hungry for something better out of life.” And Lacey learned how unbreakable she was, and how sorry she feels for those who have never been scared to death. What she’s been through has created the woman she is today. Motivated, ready for anything, careful, confident, mother, wife, sister, daughter, United States Marine, and WWE Superstar. “I am no better than the other superstars. But they damn sure ain’t better than me.”
Lumberjacks head to the ring!
Mansoor, the Viking Raiders, Shinsuke Nakamura, the New Day, RKBRO, Jinder, Shanky, Ridge and Sheamus all head down, all ready to surround that ring. Will they be able to keep Sami from running off? Or will Sami find a way to use them against McIntyre?
Lumberjack Match: Sami Zayn VS Drew McIntyre!
SmackDown returns and McIntyre makes his entrance first. Then Sami makes his entrance, and then so do the Usos! Sami is happy to see that, but RKBRO isn’t. The bell rings, Sami bails out, but to the wrong side. The New Day and Nakamura force Sami to get back in the ring. Sami circles around McIntyre, bails out again, but can’t get past the lumberjacks! The New Day and Nakamura pick Sami up to throw him in the ring! McIntyre then grabs Sami to TOSS him to a corner! McIntyre fires haymakers and CHOPS, and he follows Sami to another corner for another CHOP! Sami flops down but McIntyre stands him up.
McIntyre whips, Sami holds ropes, then he dumps McIntyre out! McIntyre gets up and is face-to-face with Sheamus. These two have history, but Ridge CLUBS McIntyre! Sheamus adds on, then RAMS McIntyre into steps! Sheamus puts McIntyre in, the Viking Raiders storm over but the Usos stand in their way. Ridge stares down Nakamura, Mansoor and the New Day, but it’s a standoff in and out of the ring while SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again and Sami stands on McIntyre’s back to choke him on the ropes. The ref counts, Sami lets off at 4 and he taunts the lumberjacks on Drew’s side. Sami scrapes McIntyre out of the ring, Sheamus and Ridge are right there to CLUB away on McIntyre again! Then they put McIntyre back in while taunting the others. Sami brings McIntyre up, McIntyre GLASGOW KISS HEADBUTTS! Everyone’s feeling that one while McIntyre and Sami are down. Fans rally, McIntyre glare at Sheamus, Ridge and the Usos, but he gets Sami for an OVERHEAD Belly2Belly! And then ANOTHER! Sami swings but into a NECKBREAKER!
Fans fire up with McIntyre’s kip up! Sami sits up in a daze and drags himself to a corner. McIntyre wants the countdown, but Sami drops out of the ring! RKBRO is there, but the Usos SUPERKICK Orton! Then they mug Riddle, and POST him! The Usos did their job, they leave ringside. Then Sheamus and Ridge brawl with the New Day! Nakamura and Mansoor help on New Day’s behalf, then the Viking Raiders! Sami uses this as a chance to escape! But McIntyre catches him at the barriers! McIntyre ROCKS Sami, fireman’s carries him back to the ring and shoves him in. But Jinder attacks McIntyre!
Shanky and Sheamus also go after McIntyre, but Mansoor and Nakamura rush over! The lumberjacks brawl again while Jinder puts McIntyre in the ring for Sami. The Viking Raiders help out again, as do the New Day. McIntyre gets up but Sami bails out. Sami can’t get past the cluster, so McIntyre FLIES onto everyone!! Fans are fired up, and Sami has reappeared on the far side! Sami realizes he has a chance! Sami runs away!
Winner: Drew McIntyre, by forfeit
McIntyre snarls, but Adam Pearce comes out here! “Sami, Sami, Sami. Never in all my years would I think it possible for someone to actually run from a Lumberjack match. But then again, I should’ve known it’s you.” Pearce tells Sami that next week, there will be NO running, it will be Sami VS McIntyre in a STEEL CAGE! Fans like the sound of that! Sami is furious, but then Jinder goes after McIntyre! Jinder stomps away, drags McIntyre up and Shanky adds on! They stomp and stomp, then haul Jinder up. McIntyre fights off the Kallas! GLASGOW KISS for Jinder! Then one for Shanky! McIntyre gives us the countdown, THREE! TWO! ONE! CLAYMORE for Jinder!
Sami sees all this and is shocked! Will Sami finally face the wrath of the Scottish Warrior and #KneeltotheSteel?
My Thoughts:
A good episode of SmackDown, but only barely. We got a decent opening segment out of that contract signing. Ronda still doesn’t do that well and Charlotte just came off as annoying with her always having to say she won at WrestleMania. The good stuff was the brawl, and kendo sticks always seem to be part of this feud. I don’t think this really adds much of anything, though, other than Gulak just gets turned into the punching bag. But hey, look! WWE remembered Xia Li! But her promo was really sad. She basically told us she’s turning Heel because WWE dropped the gaddam ball on her story with Natalya and they have just nothing else to do with her.
WWE also remembered Aliyah, and they really only used her to help establish Ricochet VS Shanky for a title match. Can WWE also remember they have Shotzi and make her Face again, tank and all? Why not make Shotzi and Xia Li a team of protectors so WWE has more RawDown teams? I mean, I knew Shayna & Natty were next up for Sasha & Naomi, but you gotta have more teams to follow after that. We got a decent promo showdown out of Shayna, Natty, Sasha and Naomi, and we’ll get a very good match out of them, but WWE is just sucking at this whole thing. At least Raquel got a good vignette to hype up her first match. She’ll probably dominate a local indie talent.
Speaking of which, Gunther/Walter did that again. It’s fine that he did, but something about it already feels tired. If Shanky fails to beat Ricochet, can Gunther just step up to him next? Ricochet VS Gunther can be an amazing match for the Intercontinental Championship, and we wouldn’t have to feel so bad about Ricochet losing if Gunther gets another belt in WWE. We got a good match out of the Woods VS Dunne rematch, but I’m a little surprised Dunne loses here. Dunne storming off from Sheamus & Ridge was fine, but again this all feels like bad Vince pacing. But perhaps the sooner Dunne gets away from “Butch” the better.
Moss and Corbin had a good promo, foreshadowing what was gonna happen tonight. Moss VS Garza was pretty good, and of course Moss wins. Corbin attacking Moss was expected, but I didn’t think he’d steal the Andre the Giant trophy. That will definitely be the crux of their WM Backlash blow-off, and I would think Moss wins. Good blending of stories with the Bloodline, though. RKBRO and McIntyre have a good promo together, and Sami using this to sucker the Bloodline into what happened tonight was clever. Riddle VS Jey was great stuff, best match of the night, though it wasn’t that hard.
The Bloodline believing Sami was quite the twist. But I suppose a part of Roman’s Tribal Chief persona has been his paranoia and hate of disrespect. Sami used that to his advantage, Usos only went after RKBRO in the Lumberjack match, but how disappointing that Sami ran away again. And how disappointing that it was the point of the story they’re telling. Both lumberjack and cage match stipulations should’ve been used sooner than this, but whatever. That cage match will be good stuff, and unless Pearce adds a No Escape clause, Sami will actually be able to win by running away, which is really stupid. So, I guess they’re going to let that be what happens.
My Score: 8/10
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Coverage
Mitchell’s Road to Wrestling Dontaku Results & Report! (4/27/24)
Rural Revitalization continues!
Will Great-O-Khan be setting the table?
It’s Rural Revitalization in Hiroshima for the KOPW Championship! Can Yuya Uemura survive tires, lemons and a table? Or will Great-O-Khan conquer him for the United Empire?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Frontier Zone – Boltin Oleg & Toru Yano VS Rey Paloma & HANZO; Oleg & Yano win.
- Six Man Tag: Tiger Mask & Bishamon VS Bullet Club; Bullet Club wins.
- Zack Sabre Jr. & Kosei Fujita VS Jeff Cobb & Francesco Akira; Cobb & Akira win.
- Six Man Tag: El Desperado, Shota Umino & Tomohiro Ishii VS The House of Torture; Desperado, Shota & Ishii win.
- Hiroshi Tanahashi & Katsuya Murashima VS Tomoaki Honma & Shoma Kato; Tanahashi & Murashima win.
- DOUKI & Taka Michinoku VS SHO & Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Sho & Yoshinobu win.
- NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships: TMDK VS El Phantasmo & Hikuleo; TMDK wins and retains the titles.
- KOPW Championship Rural Revitalization: Great-O-Khan VS Yuya Uemura; Yuya wins and becomes the new KOPW Champion.
- 10 Man Tag Elimination Match: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Bullet Club War Dogs; LIJ wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships: TMDK w/ Zack Sabre Jr. VS El Phantasmo & Hikuleo w/ Jado!
Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls snatched the titles away during the Windy City Riot, but the Guerrillas of Destiny are getting their rematch! Will the Headbanga & Young Guerilla redeem themselves on the Road to Wrestling Dontaku? Or will they see The Mighty Don’t Kneel?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see if The Mighty stay NJPW Strong!
The teams sort out and Hysterical Haste starts against ELP. The fans rally up with the bell and the two circle. They tie up, are in a deadlock, but then Shane cording holds into a wrench and wristlock. ELP rolls, handsprings and wrenches back. ELP keeps Shane from ropes so Shane rolls, kips up, snapmares and KICKS ELP! The fans cheer while Shane shakes out his leg. ELP grimaces as he stands and shakes out the arm. The two reset, tie up, and ELP waistlocks. ELP goes for a chinlock but Shane standing switches. ELP switches, Shane switches again, and repeat. ELP headlocks, Shane powers out, then reels ELP in for a headlock.
ELP powers out, Shane runs him over, and then he sits ELP up to run. ELP drops under, hurdles over, but Shane shoves him. ELP rolls off Shane’s back to RANA! The fans fire up as ELP kips up and fixes his hair. The fans rally for “E L P! E L P!” while Shane is in a corner. Shane comes back to fire a forearm! ELP fires a forearm back! Shane fires another forearm so ELP gives it back. They go back and forth, faster and faster, and the fans rally up! ELP gets the edge, but Shane UPPERCUTS! Shane CHOPS ELP, whips him corner to corner, but ELP goes up and over and keeps moving. ELP fakes Shane out to avoid the dropkick!
ELP goes to ropes to LIONSAULT but Shane moves! ELP sits up but avoids the Penalty Kick! The two stand off and the fans cheer! Shane and ELP reset, and Leo reaches out. ELP tags him in and the fans rally up. Shane tags Mikey, and he circles with Leo. They get face to face, and Mikey pie faces Leo! They tie up, Leo shoves Mikey away, but Mikey comes back. They tie up, Mikey headlocks but Leo lifts. Mikey thrashes the hold, Leo powers out and they RAM shoulders! Leo eggs Mikey on so Mikey runs and they RAM shoulders! Leo runs, Mikey ELBOWS him! Mikey runs, Leo runs him over! The fans fire up as Leo flexes.
Leo drags Mikey up, suplexes, but Mikey fights it! Mikey tries to suplex but Leo’s so tall! Leo suplexes, Mikehy slips free to waistlock, but Leo RAMS him into a corner! Leo runs in, Mikey dodges, only for Leo to LARIAT outta the corner! Tag to ELP and the Guerrillas get Mikey up. ELP BLASTS Shane while Leo whips Mikey to a corner. Leo SPLASHES, ELP clotheslines, then feed to the SIDEWALK SLAM and FALLING AX HANDLE! The Guerrillas high-five, ELP covers, TWO! ELP brings Mikey up but Mikey fights the suplex! Mikey powers out, whips, but ELP BLASTS Shane! ELP dodges Mikey, waistlocks, but Mikey swings. ELP ducks, into a DDT!
The fans fire up while Mikey shoves ELP over and tags in Shane. Mikey brings ELP up to TOSS him out, and then Mikey BLASTS Leo! Shane whips ELP into railing! Shane flexes, fans applaud, and Shane drags ELP up. APRON BACK SUPLEX! Shane shoves ELP in, covers, ROPEBREAK! The fans rally as ELP stays in this but Shane grabs one of ELP’s hands. Shane stretches out the arm to then KICK ELP in the shoulder! Shane brings ELP up but ELP fires forearms! Shane shoves ELP but ELP ELBOWS Mikey! ELP fires off on Shane, whips, but Shane reverses and Mikey trips ELP up! Shane basement dropkicks ELP and he spins around into a HAYMAKER from Mikey!
ELP flops to the floor, Mikey claims the apron is slippery, but the referee reprimands him all the same. The ring count starts but Mikey puts ELP in at 4 of 20. Shane covers, TWO! Shane keeps ELP down with body scissors. ELP endures, reaches out, drags Shane along as he crawls over, and the fans rally up. Shane grabs ELP’s arm and brings him into a cover, TWO! Shane whips ELP away into The Mighty corner! Tag to Mikey, he sends Shane in, but ELP puts Shane on the apron! ELP BOOTS Mikey, ROUNDHOUSES Shane, then runs, but Mikey catches him! Mikey RAMS ELP back into the corner!
Mikey taunts Leo then digs boots into ELP. The fans rally up and ELP throws body shots. Mikey eggs ELP on so ELP CHOPS! ELP tries to get under but Mikey grabs a leg and drags him back! Tag to Shane, and Shane stomps ELP down. Shane kicks ELP around, kicks him more, but ELP fires off hands! Shane back drops ELP up and away! The fans rally while Shane drags ELP back to a cover, but Leo breaks it! Shane drags ELP back, tags Mikey in, and TMDK mug ELP. ELP sputters, Mikey tags Shane back in, and Shane sucker punches Leo! Mikey hoists ELP up but ELP BOOTS Shane! ELP backs Mikey into the corner, then goes up and over Shane!
Shane runs into Mikey but Mikey still pursues ELP. Mikey drags ELP back but ELP ENZIGIRIS free! The fans fire up, but Shane gets ELP’s legs! ELP BOOTS Shane away, hurries up again, but Mikey BLASTS Leo first! Mikey then brings ELP around to back suplex! ELP lands on his feet, but Shane back suplexes! ELP still lands on his feet, then he ducks under TMDK to hot tag Leo! The fans fire up as Leo UPPERCUTS Shane, swings on Mikey, but Mikey dodges, only for Leo to BOOT him! Leo scoops Shane for SNAKE EYES and a BOOT! The fans fire up with Leo while Shane and Mikey go to opposite corners.
Leo runs in to SPLASH Mikey! Leo keeps going but Shane BOOTS him! Shane runs up but Leo ELBOWS him down! Leo runs to drop the JUMPING ELBOW on Shane! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up and Leo watches Shane stir. Shane rises, Leo choke grips! GODS- NO, Shane slips free and Mikey fires a forearm! Shane UPPERCUTS, Mikey LARIATS, but Leo stays up! Shane runs to LARIAT! Leo roars, but TMDK double kick! TMDK reels Leo in, but Leo DOUBLE SUPLEXES them instead! The fans fire up and Leo watches TMDK bail out. Leo tags ELP and ELP goes up. Leo helps him walk the tightrope, to ARIHARA MOONSAULT TMDK down at the ramp!
The fans fire up again, and Leo goes out to get Shane in. ELP & Leo get Shane up to CHOP, straitjacket torture rack, and then Leo runs. BOOT into the spin, BRAIN SALAD! Cover, Mikey breaks it! Mikey fires forearms on Leo & ELP, runs, but ELP hurdles so Leo can DDT! Mikey bails out, the fans fire up, and ELP tunes up the band. Shane rises, into SUDDEN- NO, Shane dodges! Shane runs up, but into Leo’s hands! ELP aims, but Shane pulls Leo into SUDDEN DEATH! Shane UPPERCUTS ELP and DROPKICKS Leo! Shane KICKS ELP, BOOTS him, then reels him in for an INVERTED EXPLODER! Cover, TWO!!
ELP survives and Shane is surprised! The fans fires up, Shane and ELP rise, and ELP staggers to a corner. Shane puts ELP up top, ROCKS him with a right, then climbs up. Shane brings ELP up but ELP fires body shots! ELP HEADBUTTS Shane down but Mikey tags in! Shane goes up, ELP sends him back down, so Mikey UPPERCUTS! Mikey gives Shane the boost, and they get ELP for the SUPERPLEX BOMB COMBO! Cover, TWO!! ELP survives but Mikey powers up and runs, SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO!! ELP survives again and the fans fire up! Mikey grows frustrated, he drags ELP up and reels him in.
ELP slips free of the Blue Thunder to kick and tuck the arms! But Mikey trips ELP to jackknife bridge, TWO! ELP rolling clutches! TWO and Mikey has the cover! TWO and ELP ghost pins, TWO!! Mikey escapes but ELP dodges! ELP DROPKICKS Mikey down and the fans fire up! Both men crawl, hot tag to Leo! Leo runs to BLAST Shane, then he turns to look at Mikey. Mikey eggs Leo on, then fires forearms! Leo ROCKS Mikey with just one! Mikey fires another flurry, but Leo ROCKS Mikey again! Leo eggs Mikey on and the fans rally. Mikey kicks low, ROCKS Leo, then runs, but into a scoop! Tag to ELP before the POWERSLAM!
ELP goes up to SWANTON BOMB! And then LIONSAULT! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up, ELP tags Leo back in, and they tune up the band again! Mikey rises, but Shane trips Leo! Mikey ROCKS ELP, Shane UPPERCUTS ELP! Feed to the scoop but ELP slips free! ELP shoves Mikey into Shane, and Leo grabs them both! But both Shane & Mikey fight free of the choke slams! Shane KNEES, Mikey FOREARMS, but then ELP fires off on TMDK! ELP runs, but into a double trophy lift! THUNDER- DOUBLE DDTS!! ELP turns things around on TMDK, and the fans are thunderous! Mikey stands up into SUDDEN DEATH! ELP PLANCHAS onto Shane!
GODSEND for Mikey! ELP then climbs up the ropes, then climbs onto Leo! SUPER THUNDERKISS 86!! Cover, but Shane barrels through ELP to break it!! The fans are thunderous again but ELP is frustrated. ELP fires off on Shane, runs, but Shane LARIATS! Shane dodges Leo but runs into the POWER TRIP! GOD- NO, Mikey rolls Leo up!! TMDK WINS!!
Winners: TMDK, by pinfall (still NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions)
Leo is furious! He is sure Mikey pulled tights there! He stomps at Mikey, pushes past ELP and goes after Mikey on the outside! Mikey and Leo push each other around, but there’s nothing Leo can do about this one. Will he and ELP just have to fight their way back up to the top? As for TMDK, will they continue to rock ‘n’ roll through the ranks with all this gold?
KOPW Championship Rural Revitalization: Great-O-Khan w/ Callum Newman & Francesco Akira VS Yuya Uemura w/ Taka Michinoku & Taichi!
It’s Rural Revitalization 2: Hiroshima Style! The Dominator just managed to make it past Tanga Loa, will he make it through the Heat Storm? Or will KOPW soon belong to Just5Guys?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who can put in the work!
This first round is Mazda tire carrying. Each man has a big orange cone placed in their corner, so they simply have to go fetch the tires from the stacks outside. Whoever gets four tires first wins the round! The bell rings, Yuya kicks Khan then heads for ropes, but Khan reels him in for a BIG back suplex! Khan goes out now, hurries up the ramp, and grabs two tires at once! The fans cheer and Khan gets those tires in the ring. Then he goes back for more! A risky move but that means four tires are on play. Yuya DROPKICKS Khan and here’s where the risk is involved! Yuya aims to PLANCHA but Khan chucks a tire!
Yuya falls back, Khan gets the tires in then drags Yuya out. Khan CLUBS away on Yuya against the apron, then uses a tire to bind Yuya’s legs! Khan CLUBS Yuya more, and Khan even ties Yuya up in the ropes! Khan sacrifices two tires to trap Yuya! The fans cheer the creativity, and Khan STOMPS Yuya on the apron before heading for more tires. Yuya works to get free as Khan brings two more tires to the ring. Khan sets those tires in, Yuya gets free, but Khan has stacked two tires. Then three, but Yuya DROPKICKS him down! Yuya takes the tires off Khan’s cones, leaving him with just one. Yuya goes out to get the last tires remaining!
Yuya brings tires to his cone, then clears out some space. Yuya has two tires, steals Khan’s one, but then Khan grabs Yuya for an IRON CLAW SLEEPER! Yuya fights free, but Khan Mongolian Chops him down! Khan throws the tires off Yuya’s cone, then throws the cone! We’re back to zero and zero, and Khan whips Yuya into a corner, to then clothesline him! The fans fire up as Khan climbs up and sits on his throne! Khan then hops down to Mongolian Chop! And Mongolian Chops! And Mongolian CHOP! Yuya sits down, Khan takes a tire, but then THROWS it at Yuya! Yuya goes up and over and AX HANDLES Khan down!
The fans rally as Khan grabs tires and cone, and he starts stacking! Yuya has two, then three! He just needs to find one more! Yuya grabs one from outside, but Khan reels him in! Khan DECKS Yuya, then undoes some of the stack. Khan confiscates a tire, makes sure it’s nice and bouncy, but also works up quite the sweat. The fans rally as Khan aims and takes a swing, only for Yuya to counter tire with tire! They clash again, and again! Then they set up for TIRE SUMO! And again, TIRE SUMO! They run in again, and Khan RAMS Yuya! Yuya is disarmed, and Khan CLOBBERS him with the TIRE SUMO!
The fans fire up while Yuya is down and Khan grabs tires. Khan says he’s not done with Yuya yet. Khan starts stacking tires at the center of the ring, then drags Yuya up. Khan clinches Yuya into HITSUJIGOROSHI! Yuya endures, even as Khan throws knees! Khan then scoops to SLAM Yuya on the tires! That’ll leave some skid marks! Khan then drags Yuya off the stack, brings him up and around, to then put a tire around his head. And then another! Yuya’s two tired to stand but Khan makes him! Khan throws a BODY BLOW, then he TRIPS Yuya into a TIRE DDT! The fans fire up while Khan grabs the other tires.
Khan stacks tires on his cone, that’s two. Khan hurries to find other tires on the outside, and he has a third. Khan considers his options, and takes one of the tires from Yuya. But Yuya clings to the tires, so Khan stomps him! Yuya refuses to let go of the tires! Khan stomps Yuya more but Yuya defends the tire with his body! Khan claws at Yuya, they tug-o-war over the tire, but Khan pulls on Yuya’s ear! Yuya kicks low, kicks again, then SMACKS Khan with the tire, and DROPKICKS Khan down! The tire goes tumbling out of the ring while Yuya fires up! Yuya takes Khan’s tires, hurries them over to his cone, that’s three right there!
Now Yuya has to hurry and find another! Yuya goes outside, grabs the tire, but Khan intercepts! They tug-o-war again, but then Khan RAMS Yuya into a corner! Khan takes this tire, that’s one. Khan finds tires on the outside and brings them in! Yuya hurries to cover tires again! Khan stomps Yuya, still stacks three, so it’s all down to this seventh tire! Yuya and Khan tug-o-war yet again, the fans rallying behind them! Khan grabs Yuya’s arm, but Yuya slips around to a SLEEPER! Khan fights up but Yuya squeezes tight! Yuya then CLUBS away on Khan, runs, but into a TIRE SWEEP! And a BASEMENT DROPKICK!
Khan grabs the final tire, but Yuya schoolboys him away! Yuya rolls through, snatches the tire, and complete his stack! Yuya wins the first round!
Khan: 0; Yuya: 1
Just like with Tanga Loa, Khan drops the ball in the first round! But then, will history repeat itself here as we prepare for the second round?
The tarps are set down, the table is set, and it’s time to eat up some Hiroshima lemons! Khan makes sure the people watching at home and around the world understand that Hiroshima lemons are the best, which probably means they’re the most sour. Khan puts on his bandana and takes his seat at the table. He and Yuya get some wet wipes to clean their hands, and it all comes down to who finishes their one lemon first. Ready, set, EAT! Yuya starts fast and that face shows how sour these are. Khan says hold on, and he just takes a HUGE bite! Yuya is suffering but Khan is reveling in the sourness! Khan’s already halfway through!
Yuya can barely keep the lemon in, but Khan’s eaten it all up! Can he get it all down before Yuya? Khan is chewing and chewing, Yuya is practically shaking from how sour it all is! Khan keeps going and… Yes, Khan has it all down! Khan wins!
Khan: 1; Yuya: 1
Khan now lets his body feel the stinging sweetness, and he says it was delicious! But then, that leaves us with this third and final round. And this time it’s a TABLES match! Who will be feeling sour and sore after this one?
The bell rings, both men rush in, Yuya dodges to fire haymakers! Yuya whips, Khan reverses but Yuya CLOBBERS him! Khan gets up, but Yuya DROPKICKS him down! Khan bails out, Yuya aims and PLANCHAS! Direct hit at the ramp, and the Heat Storm fires back up! The table is there, so Yuya drags Khan right up! Yuya goes to suplex but Khan blocks! Khan fights with body shots, turns things around, but Yuya fights the suplex! They fight for control, but Khan RAMS Yuya into the apron! The fans rally, Khan drags Yuya back up, and whips him into railing! Yuya tumbles up and over into No Man’s Land!
Khan storms out after Yuya and he asks fans move aside. Young Lions help the fans clear out while Khan drags Yuya up. Khan brings Yuya around and reminds everyone, No Disqualifications! Khan BOWLS Yuya through chairs, and that’s definitely a strike! The fans cheer Khan as he stands on chairs, but then asks more fans to move aside! Khan stomps Yuya, stomps a chair onto Yuya, then tosses that chair aside. Sorry to whoever had that seat… Khan then drags Yuya up and brings him around, but Yuya throws body shots! Khan Mongolian Chops Yuya down! Khan drags Yuya back up, and BOWLS him into more chairs!
Yuya is stuck on the seats, that wasn’t quite a strike. But Khan stacks chairs on Yuya to pick up the spare. Khan SMACKS chair with chair! Yuya sputters while fans applaud, and Khan goes back to fetch Yuya. Taichi and Taka are there but so are Newman and Akira. The Empire keeps the two out of five guys at bay while Khan drags Yuya to the back of the crowd. Khan whips Yuya into the emergency exit! Khan then SLAMS railing down on Yuya, and then SMACKS railing with railing! Khan talks trash while Taka and Taichi coach Yuya up. The ref checks Yuya, but he’s somehow able to continue, so Khan drags him up.
Khan brings Yuya around to drag him through the chairs! Khan brings Yuya back to ringside, then into the ring. The fans applaud, and then Khan goes looking under the ring. Khan eventually finds another lemon! Khan takes a big bite and uses the citrus to power up! Then he DIGS the lemon into Yuya’s face! The citric acid burns but the fans fire up! Khan goes to fetch the table from outside, puts it inside, and then sets it up in a corner. The fans rally up as Khan stalks Yuya. Khan drags Yuya up, reels him in to scoop, but Yuya slips free! Khan avoids hitting table, but Yuya DOUBLE CHOPS! Yuya whips Khan into the blue corner, then DOUBLE CHOPS again!
The fans fire up and Yuya grits his teeth. Yuya roars, brings Khan up and reels him in for a BIG back suplex! The fans rally again and Yuya brings Khan up. Yuya clinches, but Khan fights the lift! Yuya still tries, but Khan fights it to a head ‘n’ arm clinch. Yuya gets around, headlocks, but Khan pops out to waistlock. Yuya fights being pushed around, then switches to get an arm. Khan clinches but so does Yuya. They fight for control, and Khan’s SAYANAGI takes Yuya down! The fans fire up and both men stir. Yuya flops out of the ring, but Khan crawls in pursuit. Khan drags Yuya up, then RAMS him into railing!
Yuya writhes, Khan goes looking under the ring, and he brings out another TABLE! Khan SMACKS Yuya with the table, then stands the table up at ringside. Khan drags Yuya up, SMACKS him off the apron, then climbs up. Khan drags Yuya up onto the apron, Mongolian Chops, then regular CHOPS! Khan UPPERCUTS, then clamps on the IRON CLAW! Khan scoops but Yuya fights free! Yuya DROPKICKS! Khan holds onto ropes to stay up, but Yuya hurries to run! Yuya LARIATS, but into the IRON CLAW!! Khan drags Yuya up and over, ELIMINATOR- NO, Yuya grabs ropes to fight that off! Khan kicks low, winds up, but Yuya traps the arm!
Yuya traps the other arm, takes aim, but Khan fights the Deadbolt with all his might!! The fans are thunderous as Yuya still tries! Khan BITES Yuya’s ear! And then POSTS him! But Yuya runs up, into a BOOT! Yuya falls back, Khan sits down, and the fans rally again! Khan undoes his hand tape, ends up pushing the table over, and then he folds it all up. Khan puts the table in the ring, pushes Yuya aside, and then he sets this table up again, in the blue corner. Yuya goes up top to CROSSBODY! The fans fire up as Yuya roars! Yuya has his choice as he hauls Khan up. Yuya traps the arms, but Khan makes it a BELLY2BELLY!
But Yuya rises back up! Yuya runs in, gets around, and GERMAN SUPLEXES! But Khan’s right up! Khan LARIATS Yuya down! The fans fire up as Yuya is right back up, and URENAGES! Both men are down again and the fans are thunderous! Khan flounders around, he and Yuya crawl to center, and Yuya fires a forearm! Khan gives it back! Both men stand, and Yuya fires a haymaker! Khan comes back to forearm! Yuya wobbles, but he comes back to HAYMAKER! Khan staggers, wobbles, but comes back to FOREARM! Both men stagger, but Yuya fires another haymaker! Khan fires a flurry of forearms, but Yuya haymakers!
Khan ROCKS Yuya, but Yuya DOUBLE CHOPS! And DOUBLE CHOPS! And DOUBLE CHOPS! But Khan throws an IRON RIGHT! The fans fire up again as Yuya falls! Khan roars with Monster Rage and he hauls Yuya up! IRON CLAW, and then ELIMIN- NO, Yuya slips free! Yuya wrenches, traps the arms, DEADBOLT SUPLEX through the table!! YUYA WINS!!
Winner: Yuya Uemura, 2-1 (NEW KOPW Champion)
Yuya slammed the Deadbolt shut on Khan and now he takes the title from him! The Heat Storm is rising, how hot will he make the KOPW Division through the Summer?
10 Man Tag Elimination Match: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Bullet Club War Dogs!
These factions have been battling all over this Road to Wrestling Dontaku, but now they will fight ’til the last man! Will there be a roll call for Bushi, Hiromu, Takagi, Yota y Naito? Or will this alliance with the Good Looking Emperor, Jake Lee, help David Finlay, Gabe Kidd, Clark Connors & “Drilla” Dan Moloney shoot down LIJ?
Wait, it seems Naito has brought backup of his own? It’s SLYLY! The dragon-like mascot of Hiroshima Toyo Carp, and half-brother to the Philadelphia Phillies’ Phillie Phanatic! Well, Naito does love him some baseball. Tensions are running high, and Finlay throws his shirt at Yota. Yota balls that shirt up, and throws a fastball over the plate! The teams sort out, Finlay pushes Yota around and Gabe talks trash on Takagi. Red Shoes gets them all to settle down, and the War Dogs bark and put up the Too Sweet. Jake joins in at the end there. LIJ mocks the barking before they fist bump, and the fans cheer.
Things finally sort out and Finlay starts against Yota. The fans fire up behind “YO~TA! YO~TA!” at the bell, and Yota makes sure Finlay hears that. Finlay gets on the corner but the fans all boo. The two circle, tie up, and Yota uses his size to put Finlay on ropes. Finlay turns that around to grind forearms in Yota’s face and push him around. Finlay then backs up to SPIT at him! The fans boo but Yota CHOPS Finlay in return! The fans cheer, Yota headlocks, and Yota grinds Finlay down. Finlay powers up and out to headlock back, but Yota powers up and out. They RAM shoulders, Yota rebounds to run Finlay over!
The fans fire up, things speed up, but Finlay bails out. The fans boo but Finlay says he’s got time. Yota barks at Finlay but Finlay just mockingly applauds. Finlay returns, kips up just to show off, but then Hiromu wants in! Yota tags Hiromu, Finlay tags Drilla. Hiromu fires forearms on Drilla, whips, to ROCK, trip, KICK the ropes, then run and SHOTGUN Drilla down! The fans fire up while Hiromu barks. Hiromu runs corner to corner to clothesline, snapmare and basement dropkick! The fans fire up but Connors runs in to knee Hiromu low! Connors barks, runs, but Hiromu kicks low! Bushi dropkicks legs out so Hiromu can basement dropkick!
The fans fire up but Drilla fires hands and CHOPS on LIJ. Hiromu CHOPS back, he and Bushi double whip to TU LO SABE! Cover, TWO! Drilla stays in this but Hiromu fires Hiroshima up. Hiromu fireman’s carries, but Drilla slips free to RAM Hiromu into the corner! The Dogs mug Hiromu while Jake Lee runs up to BLAST Naito! Finlay and Connors help out in mugging Yota and Bushi! Things have pilled out into the crowd in multiple areas while Naito fights back! Jake kicks Naito, then whips him hard into railing! Naito tumbles up and over into No Man’s Land! Gabe and Takagi throw HEADBUTTS back and forth!
Finlay snatches a phone? He’s taking pictures of Jake stomping away on Naito! But then Yota attacks Finlay! Finlay POSTS Yota, a ring count starts, but the Dogs just keep beating LIJ down! Drilla finds his way back to ringside, Hiromu manages to make his way in! Hiromu crawls in at 17 but Drilla is there to stomp him! Drilla bumps Hiromu off Finlay’s boot! Drilla tags Jake in, they mug Hiromu, and Jake digs his boot in while Finlay pulls Hiromu’s hair! Red Shoes is busy getting everyone to stop brawling! Jake lets off but Hiromu fires off CHOPS! Jake just kicks low, whips, and then HIP TOSSES Hiromu down!
Hiromu staggers up but Jake clamps on a SLEEPER! Tag to Finlay and they mug Hiromu in the corner. Red Shoes reprimands and counts, the fans boo, and Finlay lets off at 4. Finlay soaks up heat, then he takes Hiromu’s Kamaitachi mask and THROWS it to the crowd! Finlay then BLASTS Yota off the apron! The Dogs CHOKE Hiromu more, mug him while Finlay argues with Red Shoes, then Finlay brings Hiromu up. Finlay fireman’s carries and goes to dump Hiromu! Hiromu clamps onto ropes, Bushi runs in to make the save! Connors goes after Bushi so Takagi makes the save! But Connors goes after Takagi now!
Finlay puts Hiromu on the apron but Hiromu rolls back in, SAFE! The fans cheer while Finlay is frustrated. Finlay storms up on Hiromu in a corner but Hiromu CHOPS and CHOPS! Finlay knees low, whips corner to corner hard, and Hiromu flounders all the way back to where he started! Finlay drags Hiromu up and over, the fans still cheering him on, but Connors tags in. Connors BLASTS Naito off the corner, then snap suplexes Hiromu down! Connors runs to ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Hiromu stays in this but Connors stays on him with a seated full nelson. The fans continue to rally for “HI-RO-MU!” as he endures!
Hiromu fights around, even as Gedo barks at him to give up. Hiromu still gets the ROPEBREAK! Finlay pushes the foot away and that distracts Red Shoes, allowing Drilla to join in and stomp Hiromu! Drilla & Connors double whip but Hiromu gets around to lift Connors and throw him at Drilla, FORCED RANA! The fans fire up but Connors keeps Hiromu away from his corner! Hiromu blocks a kick, and a punch, to DRAGON SCREW! The fans rally again while both men are down! Hot tag to Naito! Naito rallies on Connors, BLASTS Drilla, swings on Jake, but Jake gets away. Connors CLUBS Naito, whips, but Naito reverses to arm-drag!
Naito atomic drops, runs, and ELBOWS Connors down, to then basement dropkick! The fans fire up while Naito stares Jake down. Naito covers Connors, TWO! The fans rally, Naito drags Connors up and dragon sleepers, for the NECKBREAKER! And then, LEG HOOK NELSON! Connors endures but Gabe stomps Naito! Gabe BLASTS Takagi, the rest of the Dogs attack, and Gabe stomps away on Naito! Gabe tells off the fans but the fans boo. Red Shoes reprimands so Gabe steps away, and Connors drags Naito up. Connors UPPERCUTS, whips, but Naito reverses to TORNADO- NO, Connors powers out!
Connors dodges Naito, redirects and POUNCES! Naito is down but the fans rally up. Naito and Connors crawl, hot tags to Takagi and Gabe! The fans fire up for the NEVER Openweight Championship appetizer! They RAM shoulders, Takagi ROCKS Gabe then runs to RAM him! Gabe rebounds to RAM Takagi, but Takagi rebounds to RAM Gabe! Gabe fires a forearm, whips Takagi to a corner then runs in to clothesline! Takagi says that’s not enough, so Gabe UPPERCUTS! Gabe says he’s a madman, then whips, only for Takagi to reverses. Takagi runs in, blocks a boot, and clotheslines through! The fans fire up with Takagi, but Gabe shoves him!
Takagi kicks and CLUBS away on Gabe, but Gabe BITES Takagi’s forehead! Red shoes reprimands, but Takagi spins Gabe around to suplex high and hard! Cover, TWO! Gabe’s still in this but the fans rally behind “TA-KA-GI!” Takagi looks around, “Oi, Hiroshima! TOKI GA-” NO, Gabe CLOBBERS Takagi! It isn’t his time yet, and Gabe stands Takagi up to HEADBUTT again and again! Then Gabe suplexes high and hard! Cover, TWO! Takagi’s tougher than that but Gabe shakes his head. Gabe scuffs Takagi, eggs him on and runs, but Takagi blocks the Rebounder to HEADBUTT! Gabe HEADBUTTS! Both men shake their heads, and then Takagi HEADBUTTS!
Gabe HEADBUTTS! Takagi HEADBUTTS again and again, but then Gabe HEADBUTTS again and again! Takagi fires a forearm, Gabe gives it back, repeat! The fans fire up as the shots go back and forth! Gabe gets the edge, but Takagi fires boxing elbows! Gabe CHOP! Takagi ELBOWS! JABS! Gabe UPPERCUTS and YUKON LARIATS! But Takagi’s right up to LARIAT!! Gabe rises and shouts! Both men run in, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! And again! Gabe fires palm strikes, talks trash, but gets a JAB, HEADBUTT, and a PUMPING BOMBER take takes both men up and out! DOUBLE ELIMINATION!!
Fans go wild as Takagi’s sacrifice play makes things 4v4! Bushi and Drilla jump in and Drilla fires off shots! Drilla ENZIGIRIS, ripcords, but Bushi dodges to RANA! And DROPKICK! Drilla bails out but Bushi builds speed, only for Connors to SNAP POWERSLAM! Drilla gets in, he and Connors get moving, SPEAR GORE COMBO!! Cover, TWO!! Bushi survives but the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions coordinate. Connors BLASTS Naito off the apron before he climbs a corner, and Drilla gets Bushi up. Drilla suplexes, but Bushi slips free! Bushi shoves Drilla into Connors, then runs back in to CODE-
NO, Drilla blocks and aims for ropes! Bushi slips free, dodges Drilla, but Drilla ducks the enzigiri, only for the REWIND HEEL to hit! Bushi whips Drilla up and out and to the floor, Bushi ELIMINATES Drilla! We’re 4v3 in LIJ’s favor, but then Connors SPEARS Bushi! Connors says this is it, and he reels Bushi in for- NO! Bushi turns No Chaser into a backslide! BUSHI ROLL! Bushi ELIMINATES Connors!! The Black Mask singlehandedly handles the tag champs and the fans fire up! But then Finlay CLOBBERS Bushi and rains down fists! Finlay roars in rage, then he drags Bushi up. Canadian Rack, but Bushi slips free to backslide!
Finlay rolls through to UPPERCUT! Jake BLASTS Naito, BLASTS Yota, and then Finlay gets Bushi up! Finlay POWERBOMBS Bushi to the outside, onto Naito and the rest! Finlay ELIMINATES Bushi! We’re back to 3v2 as Finlay still has Jake but LIJ still has Naito, Hiromu and Yota. And speaking of Yota, he gets in to brawl with Finlay! Yota whips, Finlay reverses but Yota flipping RANAS! Then he BLASTS Jake! Yota runs corner to corner to STINGER SPLASH Finlay! Yota keeps moving, he runs Finlay over to then run and SPLASH! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up with Yota as he smiles and paces around.
Yota brings Finlay up and fireman’s carries, but Finlay slips free. Yota kicks, runs, but Finlay ELBOWS him down, then SENTONS on top! Finlay barks as he aims at Yota. Yota rises, Finlay runs in, and UPPERCUTS at the corner! Then clotheslines! Then FALCON ARROWS! Cover, TWO! The fans rally for Yota but Finlay grows frustrated. Finlay drags Yota up, reels him in, but Yota fights the lift! Finlay CLUBS away on Yota, tries again, and he has Yota up, but Yota fights free of the bomb! Yota fires forearms, but Finlay UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS again! Finlay runs, but Yota backslides to KNEE Finlay down!
The fans fire up again as we pass 20 minutes, and Yota drags Finlay up. Yota goes up and up but Finlay shoves him over! Yota’s on the apron, he and Finlay brawl! Yota ROCKS Finlay, but Finlay gets in Red Shoes’ face! Jake grabs at Yota, Yota kicks him away, but Finlay BLASTS Yota down and ELIMINATES him! The fans boo but the Dogs have made this 2v2! Finlay and Jake stand together, and they dare Naito & Hiromu to join them. Naito and Hiromu oblige as they step inside. Naito stares Jake down, Hiromu stares Finlay down, and they start swinging! The fans fire up, but then Finlay fireman’s carries Hiromu! Finlay aims for ropes!
Naito gets past Jake to save Hiromu, but then Jake BOOTS Naito down! Jake scrapes Naito out of the ring and goes after him, but Hiromu fireman’s carries Finlay! Hiromu runs at ropes and dumps Finlay out! Finlay stays on the apron but Hiromu SUPERKICKS! Finlay holds onto ropes and wobbles, but Hiromu builds speed! Hiromu DIVES and SUNSET FLIPS, but Finlay still holds on! Finlay throws down hands, gets back inside, he’s SAFE! Hiromu is also safe because he went through the second rope. Hiromu runs back in, but avoids Blue Thunder to wheelbarrow! But Finlay turns that into an IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER!
Hiromu writhes, the fans rally as hard as they can behind him, but Finlay drags Hiromu up. DOMINATOR! Cover, Naito breaks it! Jake stomps Naito and TOSSES him out! It was all second rope so Naito’s safe, but Finlay talks trash on Hiromu. Finlay drags Hiromu up, reels him in, suplexes, but Hiromu slips free! Finlay UPPERCUTS, and UPPERCUTS, and UPPERCUTS! Flashback to the 23rd! Hiromu just takes UPPERCUT after UPPERCUT from Finlay, but he doesn’t stop! Then he SUPERKICKS! Hiromu runs, but into another UPPERCUT! Finlay gets Hiromu up, but Hiromu RANAS Finlay up and out to ELIMINATE him!!
The fans are thunderous as The Rebel is shocked! Hiromu mocks him, but then Jake runs in! Hiromu gets under the boot to get under Jake! Jake fights Hiromu off, snarls, and then runs up! Hiromu dodges to kick a leg! Hiromu runs, but Jake kitchen sink knees! Jake takes aim, runs up, and FACE BREAK SHOT! Hiromu tumbles up and out and to the floor, Jake ELIMINATES him! And now, at 25 minutes in, we’re down to just Jake and just Naito! Naito slowly rolls into the ring as the fans rally behind him. Jake watches Naito stand, and the two stare down. Jake runs in but Naito dodges to fire off forearms!
Naito whips but Jake reverses to KNEE low! Jake fires up but fans boo as he stands Naito up. Jake reels Naito in for a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Naito protects the plate but Jake is aiming another heater! Jake waits as Naito stands, then winds up to choke grip! But Naito throws back elbows to get free! Naito then wrenches, TORNADO DDT! The fans fire up again while both men are down! Naito rises, he drags Jake up, and he throws those heavy back elbows! Jake crawls around, Naito brings him up, and Naito throws more heavy back elbows! Jake wobbles and staggers to the corner but Naito is right on him.
Naito brings Jake around for even more heavy back elbows! Jake falls over, the fans fire up, and Naito aims from the corner. Naito drags Jake up and in, but Jake BOOTS Naito down! Naito dangles off the apron! Red Shoes keeps the War Dogs from interfering, and Naito stands up. Jake aims, runs in, but Naito avoid the FBS! Naito drags Jake ot the apron, Jake elbows him back! Jake runs up, but into an ELBOW! Naito goes up and over, sweeps the legs, then BASEBALL SLIDE DROPKICKS! Jake falls, LIJ wins!!
Winners: Los Ingobernables de Japon, Naito as the lone survivor
It came down to the bottom of the ninth, technically speaking, and Naito just hit the walk-off homer! Jake is stunned and Finlay is frustrated, but Yota just smiles back at him. Finlay and Yota will have it out as part of Wrestling Dontaku Night One, who will be smiling then?
As for LIJ, they regroup in the ring and have their hands raised. Slyly’s even still hanging around! But uh, he’s a little too chunky to get in the ring, so he just settles for pumping up the crowd like he does at baseball games. Naito gets the mic to say that it was three months ago, the Splash Strong series back in January, since Naito was last in Hiroshima. Naito would like to thank the fans from coming here tonight, “Gracias, amigos.” The fans cheer, and Naito continues by saying, “Hiroshima is my second home. I really long to have a match at Mazda Stadium.” The fans love the sound of that!
Naito does preface that him saying that doesn’t mean there’s anything planned. So please, tranquilo, be patient, and look forward to the day that finally happens. So, shall they do it? The fans cheer again! So then, for the first time in Hiroshima Sun Plaza Hall in a year and eight months, is everyone ready? The fans cheer because they sure are! Well then, the only way to close The Road to Wrestling Dontaku here in Hiroshima… Bushi! Hiromu! Takagi! Titan! Yota! Slyly! Y Naito! NOSOTROS! LOS! INGOBERRRRNABLEEEES~! DE! JA! PON!! Slyly gets in on the roll call! Will all of LIJ have success as we reach Wrestling Dontaku next week?
My Thoughts:
A great event to conclude Road to Dontaku before getting to Wrestling Dontaku itself. An unfortunate change in the card, Sanada fell ill and could not compete, so his match alongside Taichi against Tanahashi & Tomoaki was changed into Tanahashi and a Young Lion VS Tomoaki and a Young Lion. Hopefully Cold Skull gets well soon. Great tag title match from TMDK VS GoD, and while I figured TMDK was going to retain, I didn’t think it’d be in a shady way like holding tights. While ZSJ VS Cobb for the NJPW World TV title is still to come, I doner of GoD shift gears and ELP becomes a singles guy so Leo and Loa can team up. Then ELP can challenge ZSJ in a battle of initials while the Brothers Guerrilla get to take on Shane & Mikey.
Great Rural Revitalization again, they managed to pull off great comeback spots each round. I was very surprised Yuya won out, I felt like Khan could’ve done one more Rural Revitalization before losing. But at the same time, Yuya feels like the unofficial fourth Reiwa Musketeer behind Narita, Shota & Tsuji. Yuya getting a title, any title, ahead of the others is good stuff for him, and could even bring about a feud with one of the Musketeers for the Summer. And then a great 10 Man Elimination Tag. I again really like that NJPW allows over the rope eliminations even in a tag match like this to really mix things up. Jake Lee not winning out for the War Dogs is really surprising, but I feel like that means Jake will defeat Naito 1v1.
My Score: 8.9/10
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It’s a violent end to a legendary friendship!
Former Best Friends, Trent Beretta & Chuck Taylor, have been through many Parking Lot Brawls, but this is their first time as enemies! Will there be broken bones to go along with the broken hearts?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Parking Lot Brawl: Trent Beretta VS Chuck Taylor; Trent wins.
- Thunder Rosa VS Deonna Purrazzo; Rosa wins.
- “Big Bill” Morrissey VS Trevor Blackwell; Bill wins.
- Katsuyori Shibata & Daniel Garcia VS Shane Taylor Promotions; Shibata & Garcia win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Parking Lot Brawl: Trent Beretta VS Chuck Taylor!
Years of friendship, thrown away, and why? Because #JustTrent had a problem with Freshly Squeezed having more success in AEW than them? Because #JustTrent had a problem with Cassidy as a person? Because #JustTrent turned out to be the selfish one in the relationship? Well, then will #JustTrent get his ass kicked? Or will he take advantage of how Chuckie T. is a Kentucky Gentleman?
Trent stares Chuck down while we hear the crowd of other wrestlers taunting him. Trent takes a swing, but Chuck dodges to fire off hands! The brawl is on, and Chuck gets the edge! Chuck ROCKS Trent, then SMACKS him off a car hood! And then off the car door! Chuck drags Trent up, but Trent RAMS Chuck into the car! And throat chops him just because! Trent gets space, runs back in, but Chuck dodges so Trent hits the passenger door! Chuck gets a trash can lid and he stands Trent up. Trent jumps through the open window but Chuck drags him back out. Trent kicks low, and he gives Chuck a CAR HOOD BACK SUPLEX!
Trent grabs the trash can lid, SMACKS Chuck right in the head and Chuck falls down! The crowd boos but Trent opens a car trunk to bring out a trash can, a dustpan and a baseball bat! Chuck storms up but Trent CHUCKS the trash can into Chuck’s face! Chuck flounders and Trent smirks. Trent SMACKS Chuck with the trash can, CLUBS him around, and Chuck is busted open! The white car has red polka dots on it now, and Trent talks trash, “This is what you wanted?!” Trent runs up, but Chuck POP UP POWERBOMBS Trent onto a car hood! Trent writhes, Chuck staggers around, and Chuck brings Trent around.
Chuck headlocks Trent before he SMACKS him off another car door. Trent goes around the back and then up onto a truck! Chuck follows, and he CLUBS Trent in the chest! But Trent slips under, and he CLAWS Chuck’s bloody face! Trent DECKS Chuck and Chuck falls through drywall sheets! Trent looms over Chuck as he crawls out of the wreckage. Trent stalks Chuck, brings him around and SMACKS him with the trash can lid! Trent hoists Chuck onto a car roof, SMACKS him again, then goes back to the truck. Trent climbs onto the roof of the truck, to FLYING ELBOW from car to car! Cover, TWO!!
Trent is furious, but Chuck is still in this as Rampage goes picture in picture.
Trent fumes, paces around, and goes back to the goodies. He brings out… Is that a screwdriver?! And he JABS Chuck in the head with it!! And then he DIGS it into Chuck’s forehead!! As if he wasn’t already bleeding badly!! Trent leaves Chuck behind, to fetch what looks to be a flat screen TV. Then he brings out a wood door!? Did someone visit Home Depot before coming here? Chuck CHOPS Trent in return then fires haymakers! Trent CLAWS Chuck’s face! Trent grabs that TV and CHUCKS it, only for Chuck to duck it! Rampage returns as TV screen hits windshield! Chuck kicks low to snap suplex Trent through the door!!
The crowd is losing its minds as Trent crawls. Chuck gets Trent’s legs, to CATAPULT him into the truck’s tailgate!! The crowd fires up while Chuck gets a sinister look on his face. Chuck takes a piece of that drywall to SMASH it on Trent! Chuck gets that trash can, he SMACKS Trent with it! Chuck sees the pile of extra goodies nearby, and he uncovers some light tubes! But first, he’ll clean up the mess, he SMACKS Trent with the dust pan! And SMACKS him again and again! And then one more shot with the trash can! Trent writhes, but Chuck drags Trent up. Chuck SMACKS Trent off the tailgate, then clears some space.
Chuck climbs up, but Trent ROCKET LAUNCHES him onto the light tubes!!! The tubes shatter under Chuck’s back! Trent sputters, he’s bloody now, too. Trent puts Chuck against the car hood and stands on him! Trent soaks up the heat, but Chuck TRIPS Trent! Trent writhes, Chuck reels Trent in, Canadian Rack, RAZOR’S EDGE onto a windshield!! Trent writhes while fans chant “HOLY CHUCK!” Chuck covers Trent on the hood, TWO!! Trent survives and hurries around the back of this sedan. Chuck snarls, goes up after Trent, and they meet on the roof. They’re both so bloody as they fire forearms back and forth!
The crowd cheers Chuck and boos Trent, and as the two swing wild, they end up HUGGING! You GOT to give the people what they want, right? They stand, Chuck ROCKS Trent and reels Trent in, but Trent LOW BLOWS!! Trent has Chuck now, PILEDRIVER ON THE CAR ROOF!!! And then, SNAKE BITE!! Trent is choking Chuck out!!! Chuck IS out, Trent wins!!
Winner: Trent Beretta, by submission
The Best Friends tore each other apart, but it is #JustTrent that stands tall in the end. He’s clearly lost the respect of his peers given how the other wrestlers are chanting “You Suck! You Suck!” But wait, Trent isn’t done? He has a monkey wrench!? Cassidy & Kris step forward to say no, this is going too far! Trent says this is all Cassidy’s fault! And SMASH, Trent hits Chuck’s leg with the wrench, and even shatters the glass behind it!! Chuck clutches the already recovering leg, and now Cassidy wants after Trent! Kris stops Cassidy, Trent’s still got the wrench! Trent escapes into the shadows of the arena, what darkness is living in Trent’s heart?
Don Callis is watching this.
And he seems to like the sadistic savagery he just witnessed. Trent may not have Best Friends anymore, but could he end up with a whole new family?
Backstage interview with Kyle O’Reilly.
Arkady Aura is with #CombatKyle and brings up his impressive showing in Dynamite’s Casino Gauntlet this past Wednesday. But we all want to know, what is next for her? Well, on Saturday, May 11th, AEW is coming to his hometown! Collision in Vancouver, British Columbia! The Rogers Arena, the same building an 11-year-old Kyle saw his first wrestling show ever. And at that show, Kyle told his dad that he was gonna do this one day. Papa O’Reilly said, “Oh yeah, sure you will, kid.” But somehow, Kyle pulled it off. 25 years later, he’s coming back home to do the one thing he’s ever been good at and that’s wrestling.
Kyle is going to take on the best wrestlers this world has to offer, right here in AEW, where the best wrestle. Kyle is ready for a fight, who will take him up on that in two weeks?
Thunder Rosa VS Deonna Purrazzo!
La Mera Mera and The Virtuosa could not coexist in the race for the AEW Women’s World Championship, and now they will Rampage against each other! Who will stand tall, ready for another shot at the title?
The bell rings and the fans rally up. Deonna and Rosa step up, talk a little trash, then Deonna pie faces Rosa! Rosa swings but Deonna catches the arm! Rosa avoids the takedown to knee low! They tie up again, go around and around, and Deonna puts Rosa in a corner. The ref counts, Rosa powers her way out but Deonna headlocks. Rosa powers up and out, but Deonna RAMS her! The two stay up, Deonna eggs Rosa on then kicks her low! Deonna whips, Rosa blocks the hip toss, but then Deonna blocks a hip toss! Rosa avoids the lariat to DECK Deonna! Rosa rains down fists but the ref reprimands.
Rosa sits Deonna up, clamps on a COBRA CLUTCH, and she grinds Deonna down. The fans rally but Deonna fights up. Deonna throws hands, then wrenches, but Rosa breaks free. Deonna BOOTS Rosa, then has the arm for the ARMBAR DDT! Deonna dusts herself off as she paces, then she KICKS Rosa’s arm. And KICKS it again! Rosa goes to ropes, Deonna pushes her down and ties her up in Paradise! Rosa is stuck, Deonna soaks up the cheers and jeers, and then runs to DROPKICK Rosa out of Paradise! Deonna stands Rosa up but Rosa ROCKS her first! Deonna stands, Rosa RAMS into her then bumps her off buckles.
Rosa goes up and up to leap, but Deonna blocks the rana and has a BOSTON CRAB! They’re in the ropes, the ref counts, and Deonna lets go. Rosa crawls to the corner, Deonna paces while soaking up the heat. Rosa stands, builds speed, and she WERCKS Deonna with a dropkick! Rosa fires up despite the pain in her back, and she kicks Deonna. Deonna stands, Rosa CHOPS her against the post! And CHOPS her again! Deonna ducks, Rosa chops post! Deonna SUPERKICKS Rosa down, and Rampage goes picture in picture.
Deonna steps on Rosa’s face, steps away, and Rosa staggers up to railing. Deonna storms up but Rosa kicks her low. Rosa then runs Deonna side to side to POST her! But then Deonna RAMS Rosa into apron! And SMACKS her off it! Deonna snarls, brings Rosa around, and she puts Rosa in the ring. Cover, TWO! Deonna clamps onto Rosa to pull her arms in, for a straitjacket stretch! Rosa endures, fights up, but Deonna turns that into a BACKSTABBER! Cover, TWO! Rosa is still in this, and she is feeding off the energy of the fans! Rosa stands, and she ELBOWS Deonna! And body shots! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS again!
Rosa has Deonna in a corner to UPPERCUT! Rosa runs corner to corner and back again, but Deonna dodges! Rosa POSTS herself and falls to the apron! Deonna storms back over, brings Rosa up and wraps the bad arm against ropes! The ref counts, Deonna KICKS the ropes as she lets off, and Rosa clutches the elbow. Deonna returns but Rosa RAMS into her! Deonna CLUBS Rosa, has her in a corner, and HEADBUTTS the lower back as Rampage goes to break.
Rampage returns and Deonna runs in, but into an ELBOW! And then a BOOT! Rosa goes up to MISSILE DROPKICK! The fans fire up with Rosa as she rises up! Deonna runs in, Rosa dodges to fire forearm after forearm! Deonna shoves, Rosa ENZIGIRIS! Rosa runs, to SHOTGUN BOOT! Deonna flounders to ropes, Rosa pounds the mat and the fans rally again. Rosa runs side to side to DROPKICK again! Cover, TWO!! Deonna toughs it out while Rosa shakes out her arm. Rosa drags Deonna up, but Deonna SOBATS! Deonna runs to KNEE LIFT and RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Deonna wants the Fujiwara but Rosa rolls free!
Deonna BOTOS Rosa down, covers, TWO! Rosa is still in this and the fans rally up. Deonna is frustrated but she fireman’s carries Rosa. Rosa fires elbows, waistlocks, but Deonna pries the hold open! Deonna waistlocks, Rosa victory rolls and STOMP 182! The fans rally up again and Rosa covers, TWO! Deonna stays in this but Rosa stays on her. Rosa drags Deonna to a drop zone, goes to a corner and climbs. But Deonna rises and catches the leap! FUJIWARA ARMBAR!! Rosa endures, reaches out, pushes Deonna over to get a REAR NAKED CHOKE!! Deonna is in the body scissors but she fights around!
Deonna rises, to BACKPACK SENTON! Deonna is free, the fans fire up, and Deonna brings Rosa back up. Deonna SLAPS Rosa, then reels her in! Gotch Hold, but Rosa jackknife bridges! TWO, Deonna sunset flips, TWO! Prawn hold, TWO! FUJIWARA!! Rosa rolls it to a cradle, ROSA WINS!!
Winner: Thunder Rosa, by pinfall
Deonna thought she had the perfect formula but Rosa says she just beat her at wrestling! But then Deonna CLOBBERS Rosa at the ramp! The fans boo but Deonna drags Rosa up to RAM her into the bleachers! Rosa slumps down, but Deonna digs her boot in! Deonna SLAPS Rosa around, tells the ref to shut up, and she SLAPS Rosa more! So Rosa SLAPS back! They brawl on stage and then out to the ledge of the upper level! The fans fire up as they keep going! Security rushes in, the fans boo, but Deonna flips Rosa off! It seems nothing was settled here, will these two look to go Double or Nothing?
Backstage interview with The Undisputed Kingdom.
Arkady Aura is with Roderick Strong, Matt Taven & Mike Bennett as she notes Will Ospreay is the NEW #1 Contender to the AEW International Championship. Taven says hold on, before we get started here, “Not Lexy,” as three guys who care deeply about neck health, and as two guys who nursed someone from the brink of paralysis (aka Roddy), The Kingdom wishes a very speedy recovery to “the world’s greatest boss. TK, stay strong, buddy.” Roddy then shouts that “WILL… Ospreay. Congratulations, you did it! You have signed, sealed and delivered the downfall, demise and destruction of The Aerial Assassin at Double or Nothing.”
Roddy says the world can sing Ospreay’s praises, but none of that matters when you step in the ring with Roddy. Just like all the ones before, Roddy will dismantle Ospreay, he will BREAK Ospreay, and he will make Ospreay fall in front of The Savior of the Backbreaker. Roddy’s confidence is strong, but will Roddy be the one feeling the End of Heartache after taking on the #BillyGOAT?
“Big Bill” Morrissey VS Trevor Blackwell!
The human skyscraper says he wants to sit under the Learning Tree, but Chris Jericho’s gonna need a bigger tree if he’s to give guidance to Big Bill. Will Bill prove he is worthy of The Wizard’s sage advice?
The moment Bill is in the ring, he SPLASHES Trevor right in the corner! The bell rings, Bill runs to BOOT Trevor down! Trevor flounders around, Bill runs corner to corner and SPLASHES again! Trevor flops around, Bill wants Jericho to watch this. Bill said he’d show Jericho he is worthy, and we do see Jericho watching backstage, holding the FTW Championship on his shoulder and oddly still wearing a #LionHook shirt… Jericho nods as Bill CLUBS Trevor on the back! Bill then tells Jericho to watch him! Scoop and BIG BOSS SLAM!! Cover, but Bill lets off! Bill wags his finger, he wants Jericho to see more.
Bill brings Trevor up, reels him in, and short arm LARIATS! Cover, but again Bill lets off! Bill is having too much fun at poor Trevor’s expect. Bill says Jericho’s gonna wanna teach him. Bill hoists Trevor up for the SKYSCRAPER CHOKE SLAM!! One foot cover, a very Jericho move, and Bill wins!
Winner: “Big Bill” Morrissey, by pinfall
Trev might want to change his last name to Well-done, because he got roasted. Bill wants Jericho’s guidance, does he even need it when he can do all this?
BREAKING NEWS for Rampage!
Rampage won’t be following up Collision next week but it also won’t be back on Friday just yet. For AEW’s return to Canada, Rampage is going to be BACK TO BACK with Dynamite! Get ready for a truly All Elite Wednesday!
Katsuyori Shibata & Daniel Garcia VS Shane Taylor Promotions!
The Wrestler said during Collision earlier tonight that he was going to take on Shane Taylor Promotions by himself if he had to, but then the Dragonslayer offered his help. Now they’re both going to take on #TAIGASTYLE and Big Bad Shaney T. himself! Garcia wears basic trunks and boots to match Shibata, will The Wrestlers win out? Or will STP rumble, bad man, rumble?
The moment all four men are in the ring, Shibata CLOBBERS Lee Moriarty and then he and Garcia both go after Shane! The fans fire up as they stomp and kick Shane right out of the ring! Then they go out to keep after him! Shibata whips and BOOTS Shane into railing! Garcia fires off on Lee, then Shibata adds an UPPERCUT! Shibata whips and BOOTS Lee against railing! Garcia stomps Shane, Shibata snap suplexes Lee to the floor! Shibata leaves them behind to go into the ring and sit cross-legged! Garcia sits with him! The fans fire up and the two go out again. The brawling continues but Shane throws heavy hands!
Lee ROCKS Garcia, Shane puts Shibata in, and Shane storms in after Shibata. Lee sends Garcia into railing, but Shibata fires hands on Shane! Shibata KICKS and KICKS, but Shane blocks the boot! Shane JABS Shibata and Shibata falls back! Shane talks trash, the fans boo, but Shane drags Shibata up. Shane HEADBUTTS Shibata, tags Lee, and they mug Shibata. Lee stomps a mudhole in, lets off as the ref counts, but he sneaks mule kicks on Shibata the whole time! Shibata trips Lee, stomps him, but Lee gets up to RAM into Shibata! Lee brings Shibata around, suplexes, but Shibata slips free to waistlock!
Lee elbows free, kicks, but Shibata blocks! Lee KNEES Shibata but Garcia tags in! Shibata BOOTS Lee, Garcia LARIATS! Garcia DROPKICKS Shane, gets around Lee, TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! And then another TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Garcia brings Lee up again but Lee suplexes! Garcia slips free, spins Lee and kicks low, to then TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! The trifecta is complete and the fans fire up! Garcia storms up on Lee, brings him up, and UPPERCUTS! The fans rally for Garcia, he CHOPS Lee to ropes. And CHOPS Lee against ropes! Garcia runs, but Shane trips him! Lee distracts the ref so Shane can DRAPING DDT to the floor!
Shibata protests but Lee mocks him by sitting cross-legged. The ring count climbs, Garcia drags himself up at 3 of 10, slides in at 5, but Lee stomps Garcia at the ropes! Lee drags Garcia up, bumps him off buckles, then tags Shane. Shane pushes Garcia against the buckles, to then CHOP! Garcia seethes and he fires forearm son Shane! The fans fire up, Garcia throws more shots, then leaps, but into Shane’s arms! Shane RAMS Garcia into a corner, then CHOPS! Shane runs up, but Garcia BOOTS! Garcia spins, but Shane ROCKS him first! And URENAGES! And then SPLASHES down! Cover, TWO!
Shane seethes but he keeps Garcia from Shibata, and Rampage goes picture in picture.
Shane mocks Garcia’s dance, drags him up, but Garcia CHOPS! Garcia staggers, but Shane fires body shots in the corner! Shane ROCKS Garcia, tags Lee, and STP mugs Garcia. Garcia flounders to ropes, Lee CHOKES him! The ref counts, Lee steps away, and he stomps Garcia around. Lee wraps an arm around the ropes, then fishhooks Garcia! The ref counts, Lee lets off, and Garcia feeds off the energy of the fans. Lee brings Garcia up but Garcia fires forearm sand CHOPS! Lee gets around, and GERMAN SUPLEXES! Cover, TWO! Garcia stays in this but Lee stays on him with a wrench. Tag to Shane, and Lee hooks Garcia up in a COBRA TWIST, just so Shane can KNEE Garcia down!
Shane has Garcia on ropes, ROCKS him with a forearm, then scoops him for SNAKE EYES! Garcia slumps down in the corner, Shane drags him back up, and TOSSES him out! Shane goes out to then put Garcia against railing. Shane ROCKS Garcia, talks trash on fans, then brings Garcia around to scoop and SLAM him to the floor! Shane talks more trash on the fans, Lee has him cool off, and Shane brings Garcia up again. Shane puts Garcia in, tags Lee, and then Lee clamps on with a top wristlock and stretches Garcia out! Garcia endures, turns to fight the pressure, but Lee CLUBS him down. Lee drags Garcia up, tags Shane, and Shane scoop SLAMS!
Shane runs to SPLASH Garcia again! Rampage returns to single picture, Shane drags Garcia to a drop zone, and he goes up a corner. The fans boo but Shane blows them a kiss. FALLING SPLASH FLOPS as Garcia moves! T he fans fire up, but Lee KICKS him down! Lee hurries back and tags in, then he drags Garcia up. Lee wrenches, wristlocks, but Garcia endures. Lee SNAPS the fingers! The fans boo Lee being so villainous, but he drags Garcia up. Lee bumps Garcia off buckles, Shane holds Garcia up, but Garcia fights free with boots and haymakers and elbows! The fans fire up, Garcia sends Lee into Shane!
Lee hurries to waistlock but Garcia switches, SAIDO! The fans are thunderous as Lee and Garcia crawl! Hot tags to Shane and Shibata! Shibata BOOTS Shane! Shane roars, Shibata runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges and BOOTS! Shibata whips to BOOT Shane in the corner! Shibata fires forearms, the ref counts, but Lee runs up. Shibata DECKS him! Garcia RAMS Lee into a corner, climbs up, and while Shibata fires forearms on Shane, Garcia rains down fists! Garcia goes all the way to nine, then DOES HIS DANCE! Shibata and Garcia coordinate, DOUBLE HYDRAULIC DROPKICKS! The fans fire up and Garcia stands Shane up. Shibata runs in to BOOT!
Shibata CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS Shane, then CHOPS, CHOPS and JABS! Garcia does his dance while Shibata JABS and CHOPS to the rhythm! The fans are loving this, as now Garcia runs in to KNEE Shane! Shibata & Garcia get Shane up, to DOUBLE SUPLEX!! Cover, ONE?!? Shane has power to spare, but Garcia BOOTS him! Shibata BOOTS him! They go again, but this time Shane DOUBLE SUPLEXES them!! The fans boo but Shane tags in Lee. Lee runs up to clothesline Shibata, and JAB! And CHOP! JAB! CHOP! JAB! CHOP! Shibata just scowls at Lee! Lee says okay, and he fires more JABS and CHOPS!
Shibata steps into the shots, so Lee eggs him on! Shibata ROCKS Lee! Shane runs up, HEADBUTTS, then Lee HALF HATCH SLAMS! Cover, TWO!! Shibata toughs it out and STP grows frustrated. Lee drags Shibata up, kicks then waistlocks, but Shibata fights the lift! Shane storms in, helps Lee put on the full nelson, and Shane promises to knock Shibata out! But Shibata BOOTS Shane first! Garcia jumps on for a SLEEPER! Shibata switches on Lee for a SLEEPER!! The fans fire up as STP start fading out! Shane fires up to RAM Garcia into buckles! But Shibata BOOTS him! And Garcia SAIDOS!! Shibata PENALTY KICKS Lee!! Cover, The Wrestlers win!
Winners: Katsuyori Shibata & Daniel Garcia, by pinfall
Shibata helps Garcia stand up, and Garcia is proud to have won alongside one of his heroes! And with the fans cheering him on, Garcia sets up… to DO HIS DANCE! Will this momentum help Shibata avenge Hook and take that FTW Championship off of Chris Jericho? Or will The Learning Tree have some things to teach Shibata?
My Thoughts:
A great Rampage here, though I was oddly more excited when I thought it was just Deonna VS Rosa and the Parking Lot Brawl. But even so, at least Bill squashing a dude was used in story. He was showing off, he’ll surely have Jericho’s blessing if he helps defeat Shibata on Dynamite, but a part of me almost wants this to be all a trap. Bill was teammates with Ricky Starks in a feud against Jericho, and if Jericho is being obliviously arrogant then maybe Bill is using that against Jericho, too. But either way, let’s just hope this story helps Bill get going rather than slow him down like the #JerichoVortex has always done.
The Parking Lot Brawl was moving maybe a bit fast for me, especially with how there were some obvious spots already set up when they arrived, such as the drywall draped across the truck bed. But they surely got bloody, and in the end, Trent won out because he was willing to sink to the lowest low. And then they’ve written Chuck off again with that monkey wrench to the shin, so Cassidy VS Trent is definitely a Double or Nothing match. And something is just telling me that if Kris is gonna turn out to be the villain in the Willow Nightingale story, she’s probably gonna screw Cassidy over to help Trent, too.
Really good match from Deonna VS Rosa, and with Rosa getting a quick pin then that brawl, we’re clearly getting more out of them. Good promo from Kyle O’Reilly to hype AEW’s newest Canada tour, and good promo from The Kingdom to tie in their old Neck Health Awareness gag to the Tony Khan piledriver angle. Roddy calling out Ospreay, I would definitely think Ospreay wins the title at Double or Nothing. And really good tag main event from Shibata & Garcia VS Shane Taylor Promotions. STP keeps getting great showings even in losing, but Lee took the loss here to keep Shane himself strong. Great win for Shibata but this just adds to the go-home math where Jericho retains the FTW Championship on Dynamite.
My Score: 8.7/10
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