Coverage

Mitchell’s NJPW Best of the Super Juniors 29 Results & Report! (5/21/22)

A Block, round three!

Published

3 years ago

May 21, 2022

Steven Mitchell

The four undefeateds face off!

A Block has FOUR standing at 2-0, but it will drop to just two! NJPW Best of the Super Juniors rolls on, but who keeps rolling to 3-0?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Six Man Tag: EL LINDAMAN, Titan & Jado VS Bullet Club; Lindaman, Titan & Jado win(s).
Master Wato & Hiroyoshi Tenzan VS Shingo Takagi & BUSHI; Takagi & Bushi win.
Six Man Tag: Tiger Mask, Robbie Eagles & Wheeler Yuta VS Suzuki-Gun; Tiger Mask, Eagles & Yuta win.
Best of the Super Juniors 29 A Block: Clark Connors VS SHO; Sho wins.
Best of the Super Juniors 29 A Block: Ryusuke Taguchi VS Francesco Akira; Taguchi wins.
Best of the Super Juniors 29 A Block: YOH VS Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Yoh wins.
Best of the Super Juniors 29 A Block: Ace Austin VS Hiromu Takahashi; Hiromu wins.
Best of the Super Juniors 29 A Block: Alex Zayne VS Taiji Ishimori; Ishimori wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Here are the current standings in A Block!

Taiji Ishimori: 2-0, 4 points
Hiromu Takahashi: 2-0, 4 points
Ace Austin: 2-0, 4 points
Alex Zayne: 2-0, 4 points
Francesco Akira: 1-1, 2 points
YOH: 1-1, 2 points
Ryusuke Taguchi: 0-2, 0 points
SHO: 0-2, 0 points
Yoshinobu Kanemaru: 0-2, 0 points
Clark Connors: 0-2, 0 points

Best of the Super Juniors 29 A Block: Clark Connors VS SHO!

The Wild Rhino and the Murder Machine are actually the flipside and have yet to win! That changes now! Will Connors win one for the LADOJO? Or will Sho redeem himself for the House of Torture?

Wait, Sho goes and hides as Connors makes his entrance. Because he comes around to BLINDSIDE Connors on the ramp! But Connors stays up, hits Sho back, then throws his jacket at him! Connors brings Sho up to DECK him, then he drags him up to go to the ring. Fans rally up as they approach, but Sho bends Connors’ fingers! Sho kicks low, smacks Connors off the apron, then goes looking under the ring. Sho brings out a chair but the ref tells him no. Sho shoves the ref, storms around after Connors and JAMS him with the chair! Sho swings but Connors ducks, and Sho hits the post with the chair!

Sho writhes, his hands shaking from hitting steel on steel! Connors has the chair and reels back, but the ref snatches the chair away! Connors is upset with the ref but Sho kicks him low again. Sho whips but Connors reverses. Sho stops himself from hitting post, but he turns around into a SPEAR! Fans fire up and Connors puts Sho in the ring. The bell finally sounds and this is finally a match! Connors rains down fists in the corner, goes way past ten, and fans fire up! The ref gets Connors to let off, so Connors just CHOPS away on Sho instead! And then throws forearm after forearm! The ref reprimands, fans fire up but Connors lets off.

Sho flops out of the ring, so Connors goes out the side. Connors chases Sho back into the ring, but sees building speed. Connors shoulders into Sho, then brings Sho up. Fans rally as Connors goes to suplex! Sho resists, and bends the fingers to then HOTSHOT the arm! Sho sweeps the legs, runs and WRECKS Connors with the dropkick! Fans rally and Sho goes out, but to snatch the bell hammer! The ref stops Sho from using the hammer, but Sho just uses what’s left of the chair to JAM and SMACK Connors down! Connors gets up, clutching the arm, but Sho SMACKS him again! The ref stops Sho from going further, but Sho stalks Connors into the crowd.

Sho drags Connors up, bends the finger and twists the wrist, then wrenches to an ELBOW BREAKER! Sho drags Connors further along for another ELBOW BREAKER! And another, and another! Sho lets Connors go, lines up a shot, and he runs in to PENALTY KICK the bad arm! How fitting, since a soccer net is right there. Sho drags Connors up and brings him all the way to throw him into the back wall! The ref reprimands and Sho “apologizes” before leaving Connors behind. Fans rally as the ref starts heading back. Sho gets in the ring and he wants the count out! The ref has Sho stay in a corner and then the count begins.

Connors drags himself along, returning to the crowd by 5 of 20. Connors stands at 7, but his ribs are hurting him from hitting the wall. The count is already past 10, fans rally harder, and Connors keeps going. We’re past 15, Connors stumbles and falls but scrambles in at 19!! Sho can’t believe it! Sho stands on Connors’ bad arm and digs his heel in, then covers. TWO, but Sho clamps on with a DOUBLE WRISTLOCK! Connors clasps hands to resist but Sho cranks through! Connors flails, reaches out, ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Sho lets go at 4. Fans applaud Connors as he slowly gets up. Sho gives Connors toying kicks but that just angers the Wild Rhino!

Connors gets up, Sho keeps kicking at him, and fans rally up. Connors CHOPS and Sho staggers back! Connors runs, but Sho uses the ref as a shield! Sho runs in but Connors dodges! Then Connors POUNCES Sho! Fans fire up while both men are down! Sho and Connors go to opposite ends, and Connors runs in to back elbow in the corner. Connors whips corner to corner and RAMS into Sho, then BACK DROPS Sho away! Elbow drop, cover, TWO! Connors goes up top to FALLING BACK ELBOW! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up and Connors grits his teeth as he drags Sho up. Connors whips, Sho holds ropes and BOOTS back!

Sho swings but misses, Connors waistlocks but Sho resists the lift. Sho gets the arm and bends the fingers! Then he waistlocks, but Connors elbows free. Sho pulls hair! The ref reprimands but Sho rakes eyes! The ref is a shield again, and Sho SPEARS Connors! Sho and Connors go to opposite corners as fans rally up. Sho runs in to clothesline, then he suplexes Connors up and over! Cover, TWO! But Sho wants the arm! Connors clasps hands and he moves around, but Sho BITES the hand! ARMBAR! Connors scrambles, ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Sho lets go at 4, and Connors clutches his arm. Sho brings Connors around to isolate the arm and stand on it.

Sho digs his heel into the triceps and stomps it! Sho then wrenches the wristlock, brings Connors to his knees, and kicks, KICKS and SUPERKICKS! Fans rally but Sho laughs it up. Sho brings Connors up to reel him in and double pump handle. Connors wrenches out, gets around, but Sho resists the lift. Sho almost gets out, but Connors deadlifts Sho to the GERMAN SUPLEX! Fans fire up and Connors gets Sho back up. Connors whips for the POWERSLAM! Fans fire up more and Connors roars! Connors gets Sho back up, reels him in, but Sho holds the ref! Then Sho shoves Connors into the ref! GERMAN SUPLEX!

Everyone is down, but Sho goes to his corner. Sho gets his friend, the wrench! But the ref sees that and stops him! Sho lets the ref have the wrench and shoves him, to LOW BLOW Connors! Roll up, with tights, Sho wins!!

Winner: Sho, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Connors earns 0)

The House of Torture has taught Sho well in the art of cheating! The Murder Machine has his first win this year, but will he just keep on stealing victories? As for Connors, he’s 0-3, will the fourth round be his lucky number?

Best of the Super Juniors 29 A Block: Ryusuke Taguchi VS Francesco Akira w/ TJP!

The Funky Weapon is also without a win, but he did lose to last year’s tournament winner, Hiromu Takahashi, and the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion, Taiji Ishimori. Can Taguchi rebound from those high level losses? Or will the Nova Fireball help the United Empire sweep the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions?

The bell rings and fans rally as the two circle. They tie up, Taguchi powers Akira to ropes and the ref calls the break. Taguchi lets off and fans applaud. Akira comes back to circle with Taguchi again, and they tie up. Taguchi again puts Akira on ropes but Akira turns it around on him. The ref calls the break, Akira keeps pushing, but then he lets off. Akira then sucker punches and CLUBS Taguchi! Akira brings Taguchi to a headlock but Taguchi powers out. Things speed up, Taguchi hurdles, Akira leaps over, things keep going and Taguchi turns hip toss into arm-drag! Akira tumbles out, Taguchi builds speed, but Akira returns!

Taguchi sidesteps and keeps Akira moving, but then Akira reverses to whip Taguchi. Taguchi jumps, but hip attack becomes atomic drop! Everyone knows that trick, it seems. Akira dropkicks Taguchi out and fans rally with the clap rhythm, “A, KI-RA! A, KI-RA!” Akira builds speed to FLY! Direct hit and down goes Taguchi! Fans fire up with Akira and he looms over Taguchi. Akira gets Taguchi up and in, covers, TWO! Fans rally while Akira argues the count. Akira drags Taguchi back up, but Taguchi CHOPS him! And CHOPS again! Akira is in the corner but he slides out as Taguchi runs in! Taguchi hits buckles, Akira sweeps the legs!

Akira gets in while Taguchi sits in the corner, and Akira runs corner to corner to BLINDSIDE DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Fans rally but Akira grows a bit frustrated. Akira drags Taguchi up, snapmares him down and hooks up an arm before clamping on the neck wrench! Taguchi endures, but Akira twists harder and harder! Taguchi scrambles and reaches out, ROPEBREAK! Akira steps on Taguchi as he lets off, then brings Taguchi up. Akira turns Taguchi for a NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Akira is more annoyed but fans still rally for “TA-GU-CHI!” Akira eggs Taguchi on so Taguchi throws body shots! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS!

Akira kicks low, wags his finger, then whips Taguchi corner to corner. Taguchi reverses, runs in but Akira put shim on the apron. Taguchi counter punches Akira, then springboards, MISSILE HIP! Akira bails out but Taguchi TRIANGLE JUMP PLANCHAS! Direct it and fans fire up while both men are down! The ref checks on them both and TJP coaches up Akira. Fans rally and Taguchi gets up. Taguchi brings Akira up and into the ring, then kicks him low. Taguchi suplexes, Uno Amigo! Then another suplex, Dos Amigos! Taguchi goes for three but Akira fights it. Akira tries to suplex but Taguchi fights it, and Taguchi completes THREE AMIGOS! Cover, TWO!

Fans rally up as Taguchi calls upon the powers of Strong Style! “ORYA~!” But Akira dodges Bum-a-ye! Taguchi ducks the buzzsaw to roll Akira up, TWO! Taguchi floats to get OH MY GARFUKNLE! Akira gets up, ENZIGURI! Taguchi staggers away, Akira whips him but Taguchi reverses. Akira sunset flips, Taguchi rolls through to basement dropkick! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up and Taguchi tightens his tights’ pull string. Taguchi gets Akira up, chicken wings the arms, but Akira backs Taguchi into buckles! Akira CHOPS, goes corner to corner, but Taguchi BOOTS! Taguchi hops up, but Akira CHOPS again!

Akira goes up after Taguchi and fans rally up! SUPER STEINER! Fans fire up while Taguchi flounders. Akira fires up, runs in, SHOTGUN! Taguchi ends up in the other corner but Akira brings him out to wrench the arm, hook it up, and HAMMERLOCK SUNSET BOMB! Cover, TWO!! Taguchi survives and fans fire up, but Akira is shocked! Akira grits his teeth and fans rally up. Akira vows to end this, and he brings Taguchi up to reel him in. But Taguchi slips out of Speedfire to ENZIGURI! Both men are down again and fans rally up more! Taguchi and Akira crawl after each other, and Taguchi throws a forearm. Akira sits up, he forearms back.

Taguchi throws another forearm! Akira staggers, but he comes back to throw another forearm! Taguchi forearms again, but so does Akira, and fans rally as they go faster and faster! Akira gets the edge, CHOPS Taguchi then runs, but he fakes out the Hip Attack! Taguchi runs in, Akira puts him on the apron, TRIANGLE JUMP DROPKICK! Taguchi hits the floor, Akira goes to the apron, ASAI MOONSAULT! Fans fire up as both men are down again! Akira drags himself back towards the ring, gets Taguchi back up and in, and fans rally with “A, KI-RA! A, KI-RA!” Akira runs in, but Taguchi ducks the Fireball! Oklahoma Roll, TWO!!

Taguchi ducks the roundhouse, gets the arms, but Akira victory rolls! TWO, OH MY GARFUNKLE!! Akira endures and fans fire up! Akira scrambles forward, but Taguchi drags him away! Akira gets up, but Taguchi ducks the enziguri, to OH MY GARFUNKLE!! Akira shouts and flails, fans rally hard as ever, and Taguchi reels Akira in to chicken wings! But Akira victory rolls again, TWO! Taguchi sits on it, TWO! They roll and roll, Taguchi has it, TWO!! Akira escapes and SUPERKICKS! Then wheelbarrow, but Taguchi sits! TAGUCHI WINS!!

Winner: Ryusuke Taguchi, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Akira earns 0)

The Funky Weapon didn’t need his tricks, or his red undies! He gets his first win in the BOSJ 29, but will he be able to stay on the winning track? As for Akira, he goes after the ref for the decision! Young Lions get Akira to let the ref go, but will this anger help fire Akira back up next round?

Best of the Super Juniors 29 A Block: YOH VS Yoshinobu Kanemaru!

Mr. Direct Drive sits in the middle of the pack while the Heel Master has yet to get any points. Will Yoh rise up towards the top? Or will Kanemaru drag him down and wash him away with whiskey?

Kanemaru attacks Yoh on the corner during his intro! Kanemaru stomps Yoh down, the bell rings, and Yoh scrambles away. Kanemaru stomps Yoh more, brings him up and whips, but Yoh reverses. Yoh drops, sidesteps and drop toeholds to then basement- No, Kanemaru avoids the dropkick and bails out! Fans applaud that opening exchange while Kanemaru cools off. Kanemaru eggs Yoh on, and Yoh chases after him! Kanemaru kicks Yoh low, having suckered him in. Kanemaru CLUBS Yoh but Yoh kicks back and CLUBS Kanemaru! Yoh puts Kanemaru in, but then Kanemaru bails right back out.

Yoh chases Kanemaru again, Kanemaru gets in but Yoh hurdles over and arm-drags him! Yoh then dropkicks Kanemaru back out! Yoh PLANCHAS, but Kanemaru dodges! Yoh lands on his feet but his leg jams! Kanemaru kicks that leg, then scoop SLAMS Yoh down! Fans rally, the ref starts a ring count, and Kanemaru drags Yoh up at 5 of 20. Kanemaru goes to suplex but Yoh blocks! Kanemaru keeps trying but Yoh keeps resisting! Yoh suplexes back, but Kanemaru slips off and RAMS Yoh into a Young Lion! Kanemaru leaves Yoh behind and we’re at 19! Yoh gets in at 19.9!! Cover, TWO! Another cover, TWO! A third cover, TWO! A fourth cover, TWO! A FIFTH cover, TWO!!

Fans rally as Yoh survives that marathon of presses, but Kanemaru stomps Yoh down. Kanemaru brings Yoh up, whips him to ropes, and dropkicks the leg out! Yoh writhes and clutches his knee, and Kanemaru walks over. Kanemaru mocking asks what’s wrong, then stomps Yoh more. Kanemaru brings Yoh up but Yoh kicks, forearms, but Kanemaru kicks the bad leg! Kanemaru has Yoh in a corner, and whips him corner to corner. Yoh goes up but Kanemaru stays back to dropkick the leg again! Then Kanemaru steps through, FIGURE FOUR LEGLOCK! Kanemaru thrashes but Yoh endures and fans rally up!

Kanemaru drags himself to ropes, to use them for leverage! The ref doesn’t see this right away, but then he reprimands. Kanemaru stops, but Yoh turns things over to put pressure on Kanemaru! Now Kanemaru has to reach out for ropes! Kanemaru manages to turn things back over, Yoh endures again, and he drags Kanemaru along! Fans rally more as Kanemaru works to keep Yoh down. Kanemaru pushes up but Yoh flails and scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! Fans fire up and the ref has to help Kanemaru undo the hold. Kanemaru drags Yoh to center to SMASH the knee on the mat!

Kanemaru drags Yoh up, gets the leg, but Yoh elbows Kanemaru away. Kanemaru kicks the leg, runs, tilt-o-whirls, but Yoh throws him off! Kanemaru tries to suplex again, but Yoh turns it around to FALCON ARROW! Fans fire up while both men are down! Yoh clutches his leg but he says he’s okay to continue. Fans rally, Yoh and Kanemaru slowly stir. Yoh crawls to Kanemaru and brings him up in a waistlock. GERMAN SUPLEX! Yoh drags Kanemaru up again, GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Yoh’s bad leg couldn’t keep it up, and Kanemaru survives! Yoh goes back to get Kanemaru in a full nelson!

Kanemaru mule kicks the leg! Then he grabs the leg for a SHIN BREAKER! And a dropkick to the leg! Yoh writhes but Kanemaru drags him back up. Kanemaru scoops and SLAMS Yoh to a drop zone, goes up the corner, and MOONSAULTS! Cover, TWO! Yoh survives and fans fire up! Kanemaru gets Yoh back up, scoop to BRITISH FALL! Cover, TWO! Fans fire up and Kanemaru goes back up the corner. Kanemaru waits on Yoh, then he leaps, but into a DROPKICK! Yoh denies Deep Impact and fans fire up! Yoh drags himself up the ropes, fires himself up, and fans fire up with him as he tunes up the band!

Yoh aims at Kanemaru, but the ref is a shield! Kanemaru shoves the ref into Yoh then ENZIGURIS! The ref is down and so is Yoh, so Kanemaru goes to his corner. Kanemaru gets his whiskey! But Yoh keeps Kanemaru from having a drink! Yoh kicks Kanemaru, then he tags a swig! Yoh WHISKEY MISTS Kanemaru!! And then SUPERKICKS Kanemaru down! Fans fire up, Yoh roars and brings Kanemaru back up! Underhooks and DIRECT DRIVE!! Cover, Yoh wins!!

Winner: Yoh, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Kanemaru earns 0)

Yoh goes back-to-back and moves up in the ranks! Is there hope for Yoh yet? As for Kanemaru, will he be able to turn his luck around in round four? And will he want a new bottle of whiskey after Yoh drank from that one?

Best of the Super Juniors 29 A Block: Ace Austin VS Hiromu Takahashi!

The first battle of undefeateds is here! The Impact X-Division Champion faces off with the back-to-back BOSJ winner, but who stays spotless through round three?

Austin taunts Hiromu with this belt, but Hiromu just smiles. The bell rings and fans rally up as Hiromu circles with Austin. They feel things out, tie up, and Austin puts Hiromu in a corner. The ref calls the break, Austin lets off, then snapmares Hiromu down. Austin grabs for a chinlock but Hiromu slips right out to headlock. Austin endures the grind, powers out, and things speed up. Hiromu avoids the leg sweep, and clamps on the headlock again! Austin powers up, rolls Hiromu away, but Hiromu dodges the clothesline. Austin follows, rolling drop toehold and ENZIGURI! Fans fire up and Austin runs, but Hiromu avoids the stomp, only for Austin to KICK!

Austin whips Hiromu to ropes and dropkicks him down! Fans fire up and Austin watches Hiromu get to a corner. Austin runs in, but Hiromu elbows him away. Hiromu fakes out the arm-drag, and clamps onto a DISARMER! Hiromu takes Austin’s own ace card, but the ref won’t let him do the paper cut trick! Hiromu says Austin does it to everyone else, but then Austin gets Hiromu for the DISARMER! And Austin had another ace up his sleeve! PAPER CUT! Hiromu bails out and protests, but Austin waits in the ring. The ring count begins, Hiromu takes his time, and the count is 10 of 20. Hiromu gets in at 12 but Austin stomps away!

Austin drags Hiromu up to gut wrench suplex! Cover, TWO! Austin drops a knee on the arm, then knees Hiromu in the back. Austin hammerlocks Hiromu’s arm and pulls on it! Hiromu endures, so Austin drops knees on the arm! Austin then clamps on with a chinlock and stretches Hiromu against his knee. Fans rally, Hiromu fights his way over, and he gets the ROPEBREAK! Austin lets go and fans applaud. Austin drops knees on Hiromu again, then digs his knee in at the ropes. The ref reprimands, Austin lets off and hauls Hiromu up for a suplex! Cover, TWO! Austin keeps on Hiromu with another suplex! Cover, TWO!

Fans rally while Austin grows a bit frustrated. Austin grinds his forearm into Hiromu’s face, then lets off. Fans rally, “HI-RO-MU!” and Hiromu CHOPS! Austin CHOPS, KICKS Hiromu against ropes, then KICKS him again. Austin wrenches, whips, but Hiromu holds ropes and BOOTS back. Austin elbows Hiromu, runs to ropes, but Hiromu follows to RANA Austin down! Fans fire up while both men are down and go to opposite corners. Fans rally up, Austin runs in, but Hiromu dodges and comes back to SHOTGUN! Austin hits buckles, Hiromu runs in to corner clothesline! Snapmare and basement dropkick! Cover, TWO!

Fans rally back up and Hiromu brings Austin up. Hiromu fireman’s carries, but Austin slips off. Hiromu BOOTS from the corner, runs, but Austin dodges, to run into the fireman’s carry! Hiromu puts Austin on the apron and SUPERKICKS! Hiromu runs to SUNSET FLIP, but Austin holds ropes! Austin stomps Hiromu to deny the bomb. Austin then handsprings to dodge the sweep, but Hiromu blocks the Penalty Kick! Hiromu throws Austin but he handsprings through that to SUPERKICK Hiromu down! Fans fire up and Austin poses, before he slingshots in, builds speed and FOSBURY FLOPS! Direct hit on Hiromu and Austin lands on his feet!

Fans fire up and Austin says he is the one! Austin puts Hiromu in, fans rally, and Austin steps in, but Hiromu ducks the kick! Hiromu fireman’s carries but Austin slips off again, A-LIST LARIAT! Austin then fires off point-blank lariats again and again and again! Fans rally with each shot, and Austin shoves Hiromu away to step in again, FLYING CHUCK! Cover, TWO! Hiromu is still in this and Austin grows frustrated. Fans rally up, Austin watches Hiromu get up slowly. Austin drags Hiromu into a clinch, but Hiromu wrenches out. Austin dodges the lariat to back suplex! Then he RIPCORD SLAMS Hiromu into HOUSE OF CARDS! Cover, TWO!

Fans rally as Hiromu is still in this! Austin is a bit surprised, but then he aims from the corner. Austin wants Hiromu to get up, and then he runs in, POP-UP POWERBOMB! High stack, TWO! Austin survives Hiromu’s counter, but fans rally up harder! Hiromu brings Austin around, suplexes, but Austin knees free. But Hiromu fireman’s carries, CORNER DEATH VALLEY! Fans fire up with Hiromu and he gets Austin back up. Fireman’s carry, but Austin knees free! Austin waistlocks, ducks the elbow, but Hiromu mule kicks, front kicks, only for Austin to knee and KICK and HEEL KICK back! Hiromu flops, Austin aims from the corner!

Fans fire up, Austin wants Hiromu to get up! Hiromu rises, Austin runs in, SNAP SUPLEX COUNTER?! Hiromu roars and he hauls Austin back up, fireman’s carries, flings Austin to the inverted suplex, but Austin slips out! Hiromu tries a standard suplex but Austin fights out of that! Hiromu ROCKS Austin with a right! SUPERKICK! But Austin KNEES! HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER! But Austin fires right back up! Fans fire up with him, he dodges Hiromu, but Hiromu SUPERKICKS! Hiromu runs, HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER!! Cover, TWO!! Austin is still in this and the fans fire back up!

Hiromu drags Austin up, reels him in, VICTORY ROYALE! Hiromu roars, he’s still not done! Dragon sleeper, inverted suplex, TIMEBOMB II!! Cover, Hiromu wins!!

Winner: Hiromu Takahashi, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Austin earns 0)

The Inevitable just faced his own inevitability: he has lost in the BOSJ! Will Austin be able to turn it around in the fourth round? As for Hiromu, can he continue this hot streak to get his threepeat?

Best of the Super Juniors 29 A Block: Alex Zayne VS Taiji Ishimori!

The Sauce takes on the Bone Soldier in this second battle of undefeateds! Will Zayne keep pouring on the heat? Or will the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion deny another contender their golden shortcut to the top?

The bell rings and fans rally up as the two stare down. Zayne and Taiji circle, tie up, and Taiji wrenches an arm to a wristlock. Zayne rolls, handsprings, wrenches back and cranks the wristlock. Zayne whips Taiji to a corner, runs in to back body block, then slips out to slingshot back in for a headscissor! Taiji rolls through, Zayne runs in and Taiji hurdles. Zayne springboards as Taiji drops down and Zayne drops knees on Taiji’s back! Zayne then hits the RUNNING MARIPOSA! Taiji bails out and fans fire up, and Zayne has Taiji on the apron. APRON SLINGSHOT SENTON! Fans fire up more and Zayne sits Taiji up.

Zayne KICKS Taiji in the back, then waits on him to get up. Zayne CLUBS Taiji on the back, but Taiji RAMS Zayne into the apron. Taiji grabs the bell hammer, then hands it to Zayne like he was going to do something with it! Red Shoes isn’t falling for that, and Zayne hands the hammer over. Red Shoes gives the hammer to the timekeeper, but Taiji has a chair! Zayne blocks the chair shot and takes it away from Taiji! And Zayne JAMS Taiji with the chair! Fans applaud, then Zayne sits the chair up. Zayne has Taiji take a seat, then CHOPS him! Zayne runs around the ring and fans rally up, and Zayne gets his legs dropkicked out!

Zayne ends up tumbling into the chair and Taiji leaves him behind. Red Shoes checks on Zayne while Taiji takes the blue buckle pad away. Taiji hides that the Bullet Club Special is in play, and a ring count starts. Zayne is still down at 10 of 20, but fans rally. Zayne drags himself up and in at 13, Taiji brings him up to CLUB him down. Taiji then wrenches Zayne’s arm, hammerlocks it, and RAMS it into the bare steel! Red Shoes reprimands but the damage is done. Taiji drags Zayne to center, and he YANKS the bad arm! Taiji pulls on the arm, but fans rally as Zayne endures. Zayne fights up, pushes Taiji towards a stack, but Taiji pushes Zayne back down!

Taiji keeps working on the arm, but Zayne still endures. Zayne moves around, reaches out, ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Taiji lets off, but then Taiji keylocks the arm and KICKS it! Zayne clutches the arm and fans rally back up. Taiji drags Zayne up, back suplexes, but Zayne lands on his feet! Things speed up, Zayne handsprings over Taiji but Taiji grabs the bad arm and trips Zayne up! And right into the YES LOCK!! Zayne scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! Fans cheer, Taiji lets go, and fans rally back up. Taiji waits for Zayne to stand, and then he runs in, but Zayne counter punches! And elbows! And then spins Taiji for a LARIAT!

Fans fire up while both men are down! Fans rally back up, Zayne brings Taiji up, and Zayne fires off forearm after forearm, and a back elbow! Taiji rebounds, jumps the sweep and shoves, but Zayne turns Taiji’s hurdle into a FLAPJACK! Zayne runs for the SOMERSAULT AX KICK! Cover, TWO! Fans rally and Taiji gets to a corner. Zayne runs in, but Taiji boots him away! Taiji goes up, but Zayne runs in, DRAGON RANA! Cover, TWO! The bad arm perhaps held Zayne back on the cover, but fans rally back up. Zayne drags Taiji up, scoops, BAJA- NO! Taiji slips out, but Zayne ducks the Penalty Kick and rolls Taiji up, to EDDY GORDO KICK!

Fans fire up while Taiji flounders to the blue corner. Zayne runs in, but Taiji dodges and Zayne hits bare buckles! Taiji then POSTS Zayne, and drags him back out. Taiji strips off the elbow pad and arm tape on the bad elbow, and hammers away on it! Taiji drags Zayne up but Zayne hits back. Taiji wrenches, ARM CODE BREAKER! Cover, TWO! Fans rally as both men are down. Taiji gets to a corner, Zayne clutches his arm, and there’s a bit of blood from Zayne’s lip but he fights through. Taiji runs in, but Zayne blocks the Mystico takedown to hit BAJA BLAST! Fans fire up again while both men are back down.

Zayne kips up! He climbs the corner and fans rally. CINNAMON TWIST into the armlock!! Taiji gets the chicken wing, and the BONE LOCK!!! Zayne endures, fans fire up, and Zayne gets the ROPEBREAK! Taiji is frustrated but fans rally again. Taiji drags Zayne up, gut wrenches, CIPHER UTAKI! Cover, TWO! Zayne is still in this and fans are fired up again! Taiji drags himself to ropes and fans rally up. Taiji brings Zayne up, Half Hatch, but Zayne blocks the lift. Taiji throws knees and forearms, runs, but into a POP-UP KNEE! Zayne fires up, beats his bad arm into working, and he hauls Taiji up to cobra clutch and pump handle. TACO-

NO! Taiji slips out, and MYSTICO, to the BONE LOCK!!! Zayne endures and fans are thunderous as he drags himself and Taiji along! Taiji rolls Zayne away and pushes way back! Zayne taps, Taiji wins!!

Winner: Taiji Ishimori, by submission (gains 2 points; Zayne earns 0)

The Sauce was hot but not hot enough to burn Ishimori! Will Zayne’s first loss send him tumbling down the block? Or can he rebound in the next round? As for Ishimori, he gets the mic to say, “Everything Alex Zayne does is extraordinary.” Fans applaud in agreement. Taiji tells Zayne, “I’ve wrestled a lot of guys in my career, but you’re in the top class. But let me say this: Clearly, you’re a heavyweight! You’re huge! You can move real nice but you hit too hard!” Fans applaud because in a way, that’s a compliment. Taiji says even with all that, he’s 3-0! The blocks are only three nights in each, and they’re just getting going.

“Think about that. This is damn exciting, right? You don’t know who’ll win, right? The level is too high, right?! Well, support and cheer for who you like, I don’t care. But in the end! In the end! IN THE END…! Camera, right here.” The camera zooms in, and Taiji says, “Keep your eyes on me. I’ll show you strength and greatness. It’s reborn!” The IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion is leading the pack, but will he be the one to take the block?

Here are the new standings in A Block!

Taiji Ishimori: 3-0, 6 points
Hiromu Takahashi: 3-0, 6 points
Ace Austin: 2-1, 4 points
Alex Zayne: 2-1, 4 points
YOH: 2-1, 4 points
Ryusuke Taguchi: 1-2, 2 points
Francesco Akira: 1-2, 2 points
SHO: 1-2, 2 points
Yoshinobu Kanemaru: 0-3, 0 points
Clark Connors: 0-3, 0 points

My Thoughts:

Another great event and great round, though I suppose I’m sounding like a broken record now. NJPW always does great, so this was no different. Though it is becoming clear who is the bottom of the block with Connors and Kanemaru both losing. They had great matches with Sho and Yoh, though, and Yoh using the whiskey mist was really clever stuff. Can’t wait to see Sho VS Yoh here, RPG 3K Fallout will be a feud that goes on and on for years. Taguchi VS Akira was great stuff, too, especially with Taguchi not using his red undies. Not that that isn’t hilarious stuff, but it was a character detail where Taguchi stayed serious and won. Six or Nine splits with Akira & TJP, but I bet we’ll still see those teams in a IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship program after BOSJ.

And of course the matches of undefeated entrants were awesome stuff. Austin VS Hiromu and Zayne VS Taiji were both great, everybody got their moves in, but in the end, it makes a lot of sense that the NJPW guys go over. Not only because they’re the NJPW talent, but because they both have those stories of BOSJ Threepeat and IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion winning the BOSJ carrying them through. As I said last time, those two are the frontrunners for the block, and the winner between them will surely be the finalist.

My Score: 8.9/10

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Up Next

Mitchell’s NJPW Best of the Super Juniors 29 Results & Report! (5/22/22)

Don't Miss

Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (5/20/22)

Coverage

Mitchell’s ROH Results & Report! (4/18/25)

ROH says TGIF!

Published

3 hours ago

April 18, 2025

Steven Mitchell

420 Honor Club!

Can’t go wrong with ROH on a Friday afternoon! But will Dustin Rhodes & The Von Erichs still be World Six Man Tag Champions after facing #MXMTV?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Bandido & Komander w/ Alex Abrahantes VS The Infantry w/ Shane Taylor Promotions; Bandido & Komander win.
ROH World Six Man Tag Team Championships: Dustin Rhodes & The Von Erichs VS Johnny TV & MXM Collection; Dustin & The Von Erichs win and retain the titles.
Sammy Guevara VS Lee Johnson w/ Blake Christian; wins.
The Frat House VS ???
Six Man Tag: Atlantis Jr, Fuego & Esfinge VS Euforia, Barbaro Cavernario & Zandokan Jr; win.
Evil Uno & Alex Reynolds VS Jon Cruz & Rosario Grillo; win.

PLAY BY PLAY

Bandido & Komander w/ Alex Abrahantes VS The Infantry w/ Shane Taylor Promotions!

The Most Wanted is once again ROH World Champion, but the Commander of the Skies just lost his ROH World Television Championship. Meanwhile, Captain Shawn Dean & “Bad News & Tattoos” Carlie Bravo want to take over the ROH Tag Division. Will someone be getting Two 2 Da Head? Or will the luchadores be dealing out a Blackjack 21?

The fans rally for Bandido already, which annoys The Infantry. The Code of Honor is not upheld as The Infantry strike first! The bell rings, the ref reprimands and the fans boo as Dean fires forearms with Komander while Bravo has Bandido. Dean kicks Komander, then Bravo SUPERKICKS Komander! Bandido BOOTS Dean, then he brawls with Bravo! They go back and forth, Bandido ROCKS, KNEES, and headlocks. Dean tags in as Bravo powers out, and then Bravo drops down for Dean to take a swing. Bandido blocks that to DECK Dean, but Bravo CHOP BLOCKS Bandido! Bravo shoves Bandido out for Dean to whip hard into railing!

The fans boo but Bravo says, “That’s how we get down! S T P!” Dean drags Bandido up and into the ring, then stays between him and Komander. The fans rally, but Dean RAMS Bandido into the corner! The Infantry mugs Bandido, the ref counts, and The Infantry lets off. Tag to Bravo and he CHOPS Bandido! Bravo puts a leg in the ropes, stomps it, then CHOPS! Bravo stomps Bandido again, then backs off as the ref reprimands. Bravo brings Bandido out, but Bandido fights the suplex! Bravo hooks a leg to FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Not quite perfect, but Bravo drags Bandido from Komander with a HEEL HOOK!

Tag to Dean, Dean stomps Bandido, and Bravo says #TAIGASTYLE taught him that. Lee Moriarty gives a thumbs up, and Dean stomps Bandido. Dean puts Bandido’s leg on the ropes, then HIP DROPS it! The fans rally for Bandido but Dean stomps him down. Cover, TWO! Bandido stays in this but Dean drags him around by the leg. Dean drops an elbow on the knee! Then he drops an elbow on the other knee! Then back to the right knee! Then the left knee! The fans boo but Dean drags Bandido to the corner. Dean runs to ELBOW Bandido, then he tags Bravo. Dean scoops Bandido, Bravo goes up, ELBOW DROP BACKBREAKER!

Bravo swaggers while the fans boo, but then he goes back to cover Bandido. TWO, and the fans rally up. Bravo drags Bandido up to HEADBUTT, then he tags Dean. Dean sends Bravo in, but Bandido TOSSES Bravo out! Dean runs up, Bandido BOOTS him! Dean comes back, Bandido dodges and hobbles, hot tag to Komander! Komander springboards and salutes for the CROSSBODY! Bravo rushes back in, he has Komander, but Komander BOOTS Dean to go up and over Bravo! Komander shoves Bravo into Dean, then knuckle locks Bravo to CHOP! Komander goes up, jumps around, and FLYING RANAS Bravo away!

The fans fire up as Komander dodges Dean, ROCKS Bravo, then mule kicks Dean! Komander sends Dean into Bravo, then springboards to DROPKICK Bravo into giving Dean the DDT! Cover, but Bravo breaks it! Bandido runs up, Bravo wrenches and ROLLING ELBOWS! Bravo is fired up, but Komander SUPERKICKS him! Komander fires off on Dean with forearms and puts him in the corner. Bravo sneaks a tag while Komander climbs up. Komander rains down five punches, then whips Dean corner to corner. Dean reverses, Bravo runs up, CARLIE CROSSOVER! Then feed to Dean’s FLYING LARIAT!

The Infantry then hoist Komander up, wrench and URENAGE DOUBLE BACKBREAKER!! Bravo covers, but Bandido breaks it! The fans fire up as Dean whips but Bandido TOSSES him! Bravo runs up, Bandido SUPERKICKS him! The fans fire up as Bandido rises, but then Bravo distracts the ref. Shane Taylor gets on the apron, talks trash on Bandido, then ROCKS Bandido! Komander storms up, Shane grabs him, but Bandido comes back! Komander gives Bandido the boost to SUNSET FLIP POWERBOMB Shane onto Moriarty & Dean! The fans are all fired up as Komander then BOOTS Bravo, ENZIGIRIS, and calls to Bandido!

Komander tags Bandido, then he ROCKS Bravo! Komander goes corner to corner to go up, up, and ESCALARA MOONSAULT onto STP! Bandido scoops Bravo for the X KNEE!! Bravo is on the ropes. Bandido runs, BLACKJACK 21 PLEX!! Bridging cover, Bandido y Komander win!

Winners: Bandido & Komander, by pinfall

A big victory for Bandido y Komander! With Sueprcard of Honor just a few weeks away, who will step up to take on The Most Wanted for his most wanted ROH World Championship?

ROH World Six Man Tag Team Championships: Dustin Rhodes & The Von Erichs VS Johnny TV & MXM Collection!

The Natural may have been literally robbed of his belt, but he is still a champion alongside Marshall & Ross Von Erich. The Von Erichs are back to help Dustin take back that belt, will the Sons of Texas ride off into the sunset tonight? Or will they find they’re NOT #TVReady?

Speaking of not ready, Johnny, Mansoor & Mason Madden attack the Sons of Texas at the ramp! The fans boo the blindside attack, but Mansoor CLUBS Ross, Johnny CLUBS Marshall, and Mason stomps Dustin. Johnny kicks Marshall, Mason whips Dustin into the railing, and Mansoor RAMS Ross into the steel steps! The fans boo more, Mansoor tells them to shut up, but Marshall fights back! Marshall fires forearms, but Johnny CLAWS Marshall’s eyes! Mason sends Dustin into more railing, then LEG LARIATS Dustin down! Mansoor fires more shots on Ross, then he puts Ross in the ring for Johnny.

The ref checks on Ross, but Ross says he wants the match! The bell rings, and Johnny BOOTS, KICKS, ROCKS, and fires more shots on Ross! Taya Valkyrie shows off the remodeled ROH World Six Man belt while Johnny gives Ross some ground ‘n’ pound. The fans boo but Johnny drags Ross up. But Ross jumps to RANA! And then he arm-drags! And arm-drags again! And DROPKICKS! The fans fire up as Ross brings Johnny up, tags Marshall, and then whips so Marshall can DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Johnny rolls to his feet, mule kicks Marshall, then hot tags Mansoor! But Marshall dodges to BLAST Mason!

Marshall ROCKS Mansoor with counter punch after punch, but Mansoor puts him in a corner for body shots and stomps! The ref counts, Mansoor digs his boot in, but then Mansoor stops at 4. Mansoor argues with the ref while sneaking kicks. Mansoor whips corner to corner, but Marshall comes back to LARIAT! Marshall fires more hands, then he UPPERCUTS! Marshall ROCKS Mansoor, wrenches and whips corner to corner, but Mansoor comes back! Marshall runs through the lariat to then LARIAT Mansoor! The fans fire up and Marshall calls his shot! CANNONBALL for Mansoor! Cover, TWO!

Marshall drags Mansoor up, headlocks, and Ross tags in. They mug Mansoor and the fans cheer that CHOP! Ross headlocks and grinds, but Mansoor hooks Ross’ nose! Mansoor headlocks now, but Ross powers up and out. Mansoor jumps the dropdown, Mason tags in, and Mason BLASTS Dustin off the apron to then LEG LARIAT SPINEBUSTER COMBO! The fans boo, Marshall protests, but MXM mugs Ross! Johnny joins in and they all stomp away! The fans rally for Dustin while Mason TOSSES Ross out. MXM distracts the ref so Taya can stomp away on Ross with those bright green boots!

The ref has to hold Marshall back, and Mason goes out to fetch Ross. Mason puts Ross in the ring, throat chops him, then fires body shots as he says he’s H O T T, O~ G~ O~! Tag to Mansoor, Johnny lets Chappell Roan know they’re big fans, and Mansoor BLASTS Marshall off the apron! Mason scoops Ross, Mansoor runs up, CATWALK SLAM! Cover, TWO! Ross survives and Mansoor snarls. Mansoor clamps on with a chinbar and armlock! Ross pries at the grip, reaches out for the ropes, and Marshall coaches him. Ross fights up, Mansoor holds him back, but then Mansoor THROWS Ross down by his hair!

The fans boo, but Mansoor drags Ross back to tag Johnny. Johnny stomps Ross, then drags him up, only for Ross to fire body shots! Johnny gets up and under Ross, Alabama ROLLING SLAM! Cover, TWO! Johnny stands over Ross and pulls on the arms while he tags in Mason. Mansoor runs around the outside to blindside Dustin! The fans boo and Marshall protests, but there’s nothing to be done as Mason drops an ELBOW on Ross! And another ELBOW! And then a JUMP ELBOW! Cover, TWO! Mason is annoyed, Dustin is down, and Mansoor tags in. Mansoor tells Marshall that he saw the Iron Claw movie, and it SUCKED!!

The fans boo but MXM hoist Ross up! Mason runs, but Marshall DUMPS him out! Ross CLUBS away on Mansoor, reaches for Marshall, but Mansoor holds onto a hand! Ross fires a forearm, the fans rally up, but Mansoor still holds on! Mansoor ducks the shot, back suplexes, but Ross lands out! DOUBLE LARIATS take both men down! The fans fire up as Ross and Mansoor crawl! But Mason is creeping up! Mason YANKS Marshall down, then THROWS him into the steel steps! And he CLUBS Dustin for good measure! Mansoor rolls up Ross, TWO! Ross feints high to BACKDROP Mansoor! Dustin rises up!

The fans are thunderous as Mansoor and Ross crawl, hot tags to Johnny and Dustin! The Natural rallies on the Guru of Greatness, then whips, but Johnny reverses! “Not Today!” UPPERCUT! SNAP POWERSLAM! Mansoor is in, but Dustin kicks and “Not Today!” UPPERCUT! SNAP POWERSLAM! Mason is in, but again, “Not Today!” But Mason grabs Dustin first! CHOKE- NO, Dustin slips free, and feeds Mason to a DOUBLE DROPKICK from the Von Erichs! Johnny CLUBS Dustin, whips, but Dustin hits a BULLDOG! Cover, Mansoor breaks it! The fans boo but Mansoor CLUBS Dustin. Mansoor whips, Dustin reverses, but Mansoor avoids the powerslam!

Mansoor DDTS Dustin, but Ross RANAS Mansoor! Johnny SUPERKICKS Ross! Marshall DISCUS LARIATS Johnny! Mason LEG LARIATS Marshall! Dustin storms up, Mason HEADBUTTS him! Mason runs, but Dustin dodges! Mason’s leg is in the ropes, and he begs Dustin not to. Dustin pokes Mason in the eyes! And then he puts Mason’s other leg in the ropes! Dustin takes a deep breath, but Johnny runs up! Dustin gets around and lifts Johnny, to stick him right in there with Mason! Taya protests, but that lets Dustin hit DOUBLE SHATTERED DREAMS!! Mansoor runs up, Dustin dodges, DESTROYER!!

Ross is in, and he gives Mansoor an IRON CLAW!! Marshall has Mason, and SLAM DUNKS him into Johnny’s TV! Johnny sits upright, right into Mansoor’s runway! Ross keeps Mansoor in a corner, and Dustin brings Johnny up! Dustin puts one out, then hits the FINAL RECKONING!! Cover, Sons of Texas win!!

Winners: Dustin Rhodes & The Von Erichs, by pinfall (still ROH World Six Man Tag Team Champions)

Taya is beside herself! Dustin gets his belt back as the Von Erichs keep theirs! Will no one ever truly stop The Last of His Kind from running the ROH Tag Division?

[Due to scheduling conflicts, coverage will be on delay]

About Chairshot Radio Network

MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)

TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)

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CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)

TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends

Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5

Classic POD is WAR

Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!

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Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

Coverage

Andrew’s TNA iMAPCT! & Unbreakable Results & Match Ratings: 4.17.2025

iMPACT is the Pre-Show, Unbreakable is a TNA+ Special! See what happened!

Published

18 hours ago

April 18, 2025

Andrew Balaz

iMPACT! is getting the old Heat treatment as a TV episode pre-show. While nothing about the iMPACT episode seems overly intriguing, they all actually have narrative weight, and since the last two weeks have been devoid of weight and general cohesion…this might be a surprisingly good episode which would serve as a better pre-show than expected.

I’m still mad that it’s a damn Thursday and they want to have 4-5 hours of show because WrestleMania reasons. Even WWE realized doing long shows before workdays was stupid, so NJPW giving them the idea to break Mania into two nights is a boon for everyone over thirty.

Also the main reason I’m doing a joint article. Since Unbreakable starts immediately after iMPACT, I’m not gonna put up back to back articles. One stop shoppin it!

Will @AJFrancis410 be crowned the FIR$T TNA International Champion TONIGHT at #TNAUnbreakable?!

WATCH #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/rT1TusIxJd pic.twitter.com/rxiBn6PxPw

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 18, 2025

iMPACT! – Ratings:

Laredo vs Jason Hotch w/Tasha Steelz: Laredo wins via Laredo Fly – ** 1/4
Jazmyn Nyxx w/Fatal Influence vs Xia Brookside w/Lei Ying Lee: Xia wins via Small Package – **
KC Navarro vs Cody Deaner: KC wins via Loaded Fist – **
Maggie Lee & Heather by Elegance w/Personal Concierge vs Gigi Dolin & Tatum Paxley: Hot Topic Hotties win via Cemetery Drive – ** 1/4
Jakara Jackson w/Lash Legend vs Dani Luna w/Jody Threat: Dani wins via Luna Landing – ** 1/4
Leon Slater vs Brian Myers: Myers wins via Roster Cut – ** 1/2

Unbreakable – Quick Ratings:

Zachary Wentz vs Eric Young vs AJ Francis: Young wins via Piledriver – *** 1/4
Ace Austin vs Steve Maclin vs Eddie Edwards w/Alisha: Steve Maclin wins via KIA – *** 1/2
X Division Championship: Moose(c) w/Alisha vs Akeem: Moose wins via Lights Out – Long Squash
Mustafa Ali & Nemeths vs Hardys & Mike Santana: Jeff Hardy wins via Swanton Bomb – ***
Kaz & Tessa vs Joe Hendry & Masha: Hendry wins via Standing Ovation – ** 3/4
Barb Wire Massacre: Sami Callihan vs Mance Warner w/Steph De Lander: Callihan wins via Cactus Driver ’97 – ** 1/2
Inaugural International Championship: AJ Francis vs Steve Maclin vs Eric You: Maclin wins via K.I.A. – *** – TITLE CHANGE!!!

Results:

Laredo vs Jason Hotch w/Tasha Steelz

Laredo starts quick with a Straight Right, Tijeras, a few quick strikes, kicks Hotch out of the ring, wants a Plancha, but Tasha gets in the way to stop Laredo’s offense which gives Hotch an opening. Quick trip, a few chops and a hard Irish Whip has Laredo trying to catch his breath. Hotch tries to go for another Strong Irish Whip but Laredo reverses, two kicks, Flying Neckbreaker into a Missile Dropkick sending Hotch to the outside. Laredo finally pulls off his Suicida, and he’s rolling. Corner Forearm, Uno Mass Corkscrew Moonsaults, but Hotch manages to get away after two. A Snap Jab staggers Laredo, Ali style Outside In Rolling Neckbreaker and Hotch tries to take things to the top. But Laredo counters and Avalanche Michinoku Driver…only for two.

Laredo tries to keep things going, Back Handspring Crossbody, but Hotch catches him, big Tilt-a-Whirl Backbreaker for two. Hotch looks to the corner and then gets scared because he thinks Santana might strike, Hotch and Tasha argue, Laredo recovers and runs up the corner and hits the Laredo Fly for the win.

If @CodyDeaner can take down @KCwrestles tonight on #TNAiMPACT he punches his ticket Ultimate X at #TNARebellion! @milanmiracle

WATCH #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/rT1TusIxJd pic.twitter.com/T5zqKHVr24

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 18, 2025

Jazmyn Nyx w/Fatal Influence vs Xia Brookside w/Lei Ying Lee

Jazmyn and Xia go for a chain wrestling or World of Sport kind of start. Xia even gets out of the Head Scissors with the classic Hand Stand and pop. After a little taunting, Jazmyn tries to charge but Xia loops around for a flash Cradle, Nyx kicks out quick and retreats to her Fatal Influence friends for a breather. Xia catches her with a Dropkick, a few strikes and starts putting things together until Jazmyn catches her in the corner and Snake Eyes Xia the hard way and then starts leaning her into the ropes, a few Leg Sweeps, PK kicks and Jazmyn is in control. Fisherman’s Suplex Hold from Jazmyn but Xia kicks at two. She tries to fight back up but Jazmyn is using her positioning to keep control. Bulldog into the middle buckle, puts Xia between the ropes and lays in a Round Kick to her chest and Xia has been eating offense for the last few minutes. The crowd tries to rally the little British Angel, but Jazmyn lays in some forearms, hits the ropes, Xia ducks and they hit stereo High Kicks to double down for a few moments.

Xia starts to rally, gets a few shots in, Tijeras, Xia tries Angel Wings but Jazmyn moves. Jazmyn tries to stay on her, but a Jawbreaker gives Xia time to go to the corner, Xia hits the Crossbody, Angel Wings, and looks for a DDT or something but Fatal Influence get involved distracting everyone. Lei has Fallon hanled, but Jacy is mouthing off causing Rosemary to come down and make a Mist save. Jazmyn tries to be opportunistic, but Xia blocks her move and hits the Small Package for the win.

Overbooked and timing was a bit shoddy in some spots, but not offensive. Not bad, but not good either.

KC Navarro vs Cody Deaner

This is for a spot in the Ultimate X match. Here’s to hoping the Blessed One beats the hell out of the loser who’s about as over as Herpes. Meaning he never goes away, and he’s unlikable. Anyone that says “Funny Underdogs are needed on shows”, isn’t that like 60% of the roster? No one is funny if everyone tries to be funny. KC however, he’s fucking hilarious and amazing.

KC tries to pay off Deaner and get him to forfeit, Deaner of course does the underdog thing of fighting back, dumb looking punches, goofball corner spot that he lengthens to the put of looking dumb and not funny. Oh thank God KC hits the Spiderman in the ropes, ducks Deaner and 305 gets hit for a near fall. Now KC is rolling, nice quick offense, Snapmare, Front Roll Neck Snap, Stomp into Split into cover for only two. Deaner goes for the comeback, and a few Lariats, Bulldog, and everything looks soo stupid. Deaner puts KC in the Airplane spin, gets dizzy and then goes again, TKO for two.

Navarro tries to powder, Deaner goes after him but the ref gets Deaner off of him since KC was in the ropes, KC wraps his necklace around his knuckles and a quick Jab to the face as Deaner tries to suplex him, 1-2-3, Blessed WIN.

If Deaner was the only doofus guy he’d be fine, but when we have Santino, Arianna, Laredo, KC, Great Hands, Brian Myers, Dango, Alisha, Hendry (while not a doofus isn’t close to serious), Kaz, Elegance Brand (all 3 of them), Ryan Nemeth and those are just off the top of my head. Everyone can’t be silly or no one is silly and nothing matters.

Maggie Lee & Heather by Elegance w/Personal Concierge vs Gigi Dolin & Tatum Paxley

I’m gonna keep any Gigi drooling to a minimum since I respect my boy Wentz, but I will say, you gotta love Hot Topic Hotties. Yes I like walking red flags, I’m self aware, and okay with it.

Maggie and Gigi start, a few quick counters, Gigi manages the Double Hook Cradle for two, then Hot Topic Hotties go tandem with a Dropkick and a Twisting Elbow for another two. Tatum is officially legal, Maggie looks for the tag but Heather wants to push Maggie more. Which is exactly how ASH treated her. Tatum turns it around, Gigi tags in, Poetry Bronco, and then Kawada Kicks from Gigi. Concierge distracts, Maggie grabs her, Heather takes the cheap shot, Suplex from Maggie for two. Heather and Maggie get some offense in together, and Heather is working Gigi over in the heel corner. Unicorn Stampede essentially. Heather goes for a pinfall and its only 2. Heather is getting frustrated, Gigi with an Upkick headscissors, Heather tries to stop the tag out, but eats the Mule Kick.

Tatum starts beating on Heather, rams Heather into Maggie, Cartwheel Peach Sunrise, tags in Gigi, Double Headbutts and Cemetery Drive from the Hot Topic Hotties and everyone wins. Jesus…will never leave this chat, he started it.

Jakara Jackson w/Lash Legend vs Dani Luna w/Jody Threat

Things start a little slow, Collar & Elbow tie up that they won’t relent for a while, Jakara tries to turn it into a Headlock Takeover, but Dani is too strong. Dani gets a few shots in, hops the rope for something but Lash makes her present felt and trips Dani while Jakara distracts the referee. The referee didn’t see anything but ejects Lash anyway. Lash won’t go, tries to intimidate the ref and say no. Jakara keeps things moving against Dani while Lash takes her sweet time slowly walking away. Jakara tries a Roll-Up but Dani too thicc to keep down. Dani fights back up, scoops Jakara and drops her unceremoniously.

Jakara starts laying in a bunch of Falling Knees and gets a quick two, before locking in a Cravat that Dani tries to fight out of. Dani counters out of it, ducks the Line, and they crash into each other with Forearms. The Double Fall Down spot is a little played out and this is only the pre-show really.

Dani levels Jakara with a few Lariats, looks for the Luna Landing, Jakara slips it so Dani comes off the ropes with a Busaiku Knee. Luna wants a Blue Thunder but Jakara gets away until Luna grabs her again for the Rebound Blue Thunder Bomb and a near fall. Luna charges the corner, misses, Jakara hits the Tornado DDT, but only two. Jakara tries to ram Dani’s head into the buckles, but Luna blocks, fires and takes Jakara’s head off, Luna Landing gets his and Dani wins!

Elijah has a promo segment and they have a really Sesame Street style “Walk this Way” words on the screen thing. When they did the bouncing ball lyrics with Ron Killings, it was at least cool. This comes off as corny and low budget public broadcasting crap just for Elijah to announce an open challenge at Rebellion or something. Admittedly I zoned out cause I figured it would be nothing of note.

Leon Slater vs Brian Myers

Myers and Slater start in a shoving match jawing at each other, and then Leon lays in a Shoulder Tackle off the ropes, some jumping crap and Myers is getting bounced from corner to corner like a dork. Leon tries to continue the Around the World but a punch, Thrust Kick and Irish Whip across the ring gives him some confidence, but he eats the Feint Mule Kick, Back Handspring Back Elbow…and again System matches are “look stupid and get beat up for 70% of the match until a shortcut can be taken”. Speaking of short cuts, Leon goes for his Corner Leap, Myers guards from it, Leon repositions but gets tripped and eats a Spear. Then…we go to commercial.

Coming out of the commercials Myers is still in control. Leon slips out of a suplex and then connects with a flurry of offense, Myers eats more kicks than I can count, powders, Leon does his corner post leap, comes in and looks to win but an Implant DDT, dick kick and Roster Cut gives Myers the win.

Overall iMPACT! Rating: 5/10

Nothing special but at least it made some sense and was a better than the last few episodes. Low bar comparatively. Now immediately onto Unbreakable! So because this is a long night, I figured I’d do a Watch A Long with Mat Sarpraicone over on Dirt Sheet Radio because I have zero faith in Unbreakable being worth the 2-3 hours it will take to watch it.

So you’ll get quick results with ratings and an overall thoughts at the end of Unbreakable from me, because it’s late and I needed something to keep me awake.

Overall Unbreakable Rating: 4.5/10

The iMPACT! episode was easier to watch and digest, three Triple Threats is too many and the Main Event being a slow paced triple threat after a Barb Wire match and a bunch of faster matches really doesn’t resonate well with fans. Even though I didn’t love the Sami vs Mance match, ending on carnage and the “babyface” winning would’ve been a much better way to send the crowd home happy and we wouldn’t have needed so much time fill during the last hour of the show.

Maclin being the inaugural International Champion is cool, setting up the first defense against Eric Young is good for their story, so most of the marks were hit. It just was too damn slow and had no business being a main event. Champions vs Challengers was okay, but it only really picked up when Masha and Tessa were mixing it up. I liked Moose having the extended squash match for shits and giggles, but two Triples back to back to open the show is an easy way to burn out a crowd. Sure the Moose match was an extended piss break to recharge the crowd, but the card was just laid out awkwardly and things felt like far more of a chore than they should have.

All in all this was a very lame event. Yes I get it was purely stop gap to take advantage of WrestleMania weekend, but with Rebellion next week, we all knew it wasn’t gonna shake things up too much. But hot damn was I about to fall asleep if I wasn’t doing the watch-a-long to not pass out.