Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW Best of the Super Juniors 29 Results & Report! (5/25/22)
BOSJ, both blocks, round 5!
The blocks stick together again!
A Block and B Block keep at it side by side as Best of the Super Juniors 29 continues! Taiji Ishimori stands alone at 4-0, but will that change tonight?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Best of the Super Juniors 29 A Block: Ace Austin VS Alex Zayne; Austin wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 29 B Block: BUSHI VS DOUKI; Douki wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 29 A Block: Clark Connors VS Francesco Akira; Connors wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 29 B Block: Titan VS Wheeler Yuta; Yuta wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 29 B Block: EL LINDAMAN VS El Phantasmo; ELP wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 29 A Block: Ryusuke Taguchi VS SHO; Sho wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 29 A Block: Yoshinobu Kanemaru VS Taiji Ishimori; Kanemaru wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 29 B Block: Robbie Eagles VS TJP; TJP wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 29 B Block: Master Wato VS El Desperado; Desperado wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 29 A Block: YOH VS Hiromu Takahashi; Yoh wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Here are the current standings in A Block!
Taiji Ishimori: 4-0, 8 points
Hiromu Takahashi: 3-1, 6 points
Ace Austin: 3-1, 6 points
Alex Zayne: 3-1, 6 points
YOH: 2-2, 4 points
Francesco Akira: 1-3, 2 points
SHO: 1-3, 2 points
Yoshinobu Kanemaru: 1-3, 2 points
Clark Connors: 1-3, 2 points
Ryusuke Taguchi: 1-3, 2 points
Here are the current standings for B Block!
El Lindaman: 3-1, 6 points
El Desperado: 3-1, 6 points
El Phantasmo: 3-1, 6 points
Robbie Eagles: 2-2, 4 points
Wheeler Yuta: 2-2, 4 points
Bushi: 2-2, 4 points
Douki: 2-2, 4 points
Master Wato: 1-3, 2 points
Titan: 1-3, 2 points
TJP: 1-3, 2 points
Best of the Super Juniors 29 A Block: Ace Austin VS Alex Zayne!
The Inevitable and the Sauce are both fingertips away from being the top of the block, and are both coming off wins from last round. Who gets even closer to leading the pack after this red hot opener?
The bell rings and fans rally up already. The two shake hands and fans applaud the sportsmanship. Zayne and Austin tie up, go around, and end up on ropes, then in a corner. Austin powers his way out and they’re deadlock in the center. They break, and fans applaud the exchange. Zayne blocks a kick, spins Austin around and waistlocks, but Austin bucks him away. Zayne rolls, dodges the clothesline, then runs. Austin hurdles, but Zayne springboards to drop knees on the drop down! RUNNING MARIPOSA, but Austin makes it a ghost pin! TWO, and Austin arm-drags to a DISARMER! Fans fire up and Austin brings out the ace up his sleeve!
But Zayne rolls Austin! TWO! Fans fire up as the two stand off, and surprise! Zayne has Austin’s ace! Zayne takes a taste, then throws it to the fans. But Austin drop toeholds and EDDY GORDO KICKS! Then the DISARMER! And Austin brings out his second ace! PAPER CUT! Austin says no one saw anything. Zayne bails out to check his hand, but Austin builds speed! Zayne shoulders in but Austin catches him! DRAPING BACKBREAKER! Fans fire up and Austin builds speed again, to FOSBURY FLOP! Direct hit with the #FallToGlory and fans fire up more! Austin gets Zayne up, the ring count starts, and Austin CHOPS Zayne.
Austin throws forearms, then whips, but Zayne sends Austin into the ring instead. Austin skins the cat to go back out, then he avoids Zayne’s punch to dropkick him! Austin kips up on the apron and fans fire up. Austin handsprings over the sweeps, but Zayne blocks the kick! Austin handsprings through the flip, but Zayne avoids the mule kick to trip Austin up! Austin crashes down on the apron, and Zayne lines up a shot. SOMERSAULT AX KICK! Austin flounders into the ring, Zayne slingshot sentons onto him! Fans fire up for the RUNNING MARIPOSA! Cover, TWO! Fans rally and Zayne brings Austin up.
Zayne puts Austin against ropes, wrenches and whips, but Austin holds ropes to block. Zayne tries again, gets Austin loose, but holds these ropes to stop himself. Zayne rushes in but Austin goes to the apron and Zayne hotshots himself off ropes! Austin then gets up, shoulders in, and steps in to FLYING CHUCK! Cover, TWO! Austin is annoyed but the fans rally up. Austin gets to his feet and fans rally, “ACE AU-STIN!” “AL-EX ZAYNE!” Austin KICKS Zayne in his back, then knees him in the head! Austin says only one can win, and he gut wrench suplexes Zayne down! Cover, TWO! Fans rally more while Austin shakes his head.
Austin drags Zayne back up, but Zayne throws body shots! Austin blocks, knees, but Zayne avoids the boot to counter punch! He eggs Austin on, ROCKS him again, then spins him for a LARIAT! Fans fire up as Austin scrambles away. Austin gets to a corner, Zayne runs in corner to corner to back elbow! Zayne hoists Austin up, CHOPS him, then runs corner to corner as fans rally, for the DRAGON RANA! But Austin sunset flips and stacks! TWO, and Zayne run sin. Austin dodges, comes back, A-LIST LARIAT! And then point-blank lariats over and over! Fans rally up and Austin shoves Zayne down. Austin goes up the corner, and leaps, but Zayne dodges!
Austin crashes ‘n’ burns but Zayne hurries to get him up. Scoop and BAJA- NO! Austin slips out, but Zayne ducks the Penalty Kick! But Austin blocks the roll-up! Austin has the arm but Zayne kips up to arm-drag! EDDY GORDO KICK! Fans fire up and Zayne has Austin in the drop zone! Zayne goes up top, but Austin rolls way, wanting mercy from his friend. Fans rally, and Zayne jumps down! Zayne is frustrated that he has to do this to his friend. But then Austin drags him into a cradle! TWO, Zayne ROCKS Austin! Austin ROCKS Zayne! Zayne ROCKS Austin! Fans rally as the forearms go back and forth, faster and faster!
Zayne CHOPS, then he ducks the roundhouse! Pump handle, cobra clutch, TACO- NO! Austin slips out and ROUNDHOUSES Zayne! Austin whips, Zayne reverses and BOOTS Austin! Zayne runs, but Austin SUPERKICKS! Austin runs, but Zayne pops him up for the KNEE! AUSTIN HEEL KICKS!! Both men are down and fans are fired up again! Austin and Zayne stir, they both stand, and they stare down. Austin kicks low, goes for the gut wrench but Zayne wrenches out. Zayne scoops but Austin slips out, HEEL KICK! Austin calls for The Fold, but he runs into the BAJA BLAST! Both men are down again and fans fire up more!
Zayne kips up and roars! Fans fire up behind him and he gets back to the corner. Zayne fires himself up and goes up top, determined to hit it this time! But Austin trips Zayne up! Zayne lands hard on the soft shell, and fans rally as Austin drags himself up. Austin climbs up but Zayne elbows him away! Austin ENZIGURIS, then gets some space. Austin runs and jumps up, SUPER HEADSCISSORS! THE FOLD!!! Cover, Austin wins!!
Winner: Ace Austin, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Zayne earns 0)
And like the ace up his sleeve, Austin pulled that one outta nowhere! Even he’s shocked he just won! Does this mean Austin is the Inevitable Best of the Super Juniors? Or can Zayne still fire back up and take the block? But at the very least, these two are still friends as they hug it out.
Best of the Super Juniors 29 B Block: BUSHI VS DOUKI!
The Black Mask could not crack the Decoder, but Japones Del Mal got the last laugh on the Headbanga. Both men stand at 2-2, so who leaves the other behind with a win tonight?
The bell rings and fans rally up. Douki and Bushi circle, tie up, and Douki headlocks. Bushi powers up and out, things speed up as Bushi hurdles. Douki turns around, Bushi rolls off his back, ducks and spins to arm-drag! Douki bails out, Bushi builds speed, but Douki gets back in to elbow Bushi down! Bushi bails out, Douki builds speed, and DIVES! They crash into the timekeeper’s area! Fans fire up for “DO-U-KI!” as he gets Bushi up and POSTS him! The ring count starts, Douki drags Bushi up and brings him around to RAM into the post, groin first! Douki gets in the ring at 10 of 20 while Bushi is down on the floor.
Bushi sits up at 15 as fans rally up. Bushi staggers at 18, but gets in at 19! Fans applaud but Douki stomps Bushi down. Douki drags Bushi up, SLAMS him, then runs to DOUBLE STOMP! Double knuckle lock cover, TWO! ITALIAN STRETCH #32! Fans rally and Bushi endures, and Bushi gets a ROPEBREAK! Douki lets off and mockingly asks what’s wrong. Douki slaps Bushi around, but Bushi fires off forearms! Douki rakes eyes! Douki whips, Bushi reverses and dropkicks the legs out! Douki gets to a corner and fans rally up. Bushi runs in at the corner but Douki dodges! Douki runs in, but into a BOOT!
Bushi hops up, FLYING RANA! Douki tumbles out of the ring, Bushi builds speed, and Bushi DIVES! Direct hit and Young Lions block Douki from hitting fans! Fans fire up and Bushi fires up! The ring count starts again but Bushi drags Douki up and into the ring. Bushi drags Douki up, whips him to the corner, and runs in to back elbow. Douki swings but Bushi blocks and spins him to a DDT! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up and Bushi stomps Douki. Bushi drags Douki up, reels him in, but no Fisherman Screw! HELL STAB, and Douki runs, into a DROPKICK! Bushi drags Douki up through the ropes, APRON DRAPING DDT!
Fans fire up and Bushi gets back in. Bushi drags Douki up, reels him in, but Douki back drops! Then he tucks Bushi for the sunset, TWO! Bushi goes to stack but gets caught in ITALIAN STRETCH #32! Fans rally and Bushi endures, but Douki pulls harder on the hold! Bushi fades, but he reaches out for the ROPEBREAK! Douki holds until the ref counts 4, and fans rally up again. Douki aims at Bushi from the apron, slingshots in, but into a CODE BREAKER! Fans fire up while both men are down! Bushi gets up and he drags Douki into the FISHERMAN SCREW! Cover, TWO! Fans rally again as Douki’s still in this.
Bushi fires up and fans fire up with him! Bushi goes to the corner, climbs up, and he takes aim as Douki rises. M- NO! ITALIAN STRETCH #32!! Douki has Bushi caught this time, and fans rally as Bushi endures! Bushi wriggles and moves, but Douki rolls him away, ITALIAN STRETCH! Bushi still endures, but Douki brings him down! Bushi kicks and flails, but he gives up! DOUKI WINS!
Winner: Douki, by submission (gains 2 points; Bushi earns 0)
And just like that, Douki’s back up! Will he be able to keep this momentum going into round six? Can Bushi recover and turn it back around?
Best of the Super Juniors 29 A Block: Clark Connors VS Francesco Akira!
The Wild Rhino finally got on the board beating the Funky Weapon, while the Nova Fireball was smoked by The Sauce! Will Connors and his buns of steel run through the fire and the flames? Or will Akira burn Connors and light back up?
The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, and Connors powers Akira to ropes. Akira puts Connors in a corner, but the ref calls for the break. Akira says okay but he keeps pushing. Akira then lets off, and gets fans to clap, “A! KI-RA!” Connors circles with Akira again, and they knuckle lock. Akira shoots in for a leg but Connors blocks, to deadlift suplex Akira fast! Connors then waistlcoks and GERMAN SUPLEXES! Akira flounders while fans fire up, and Connors taunts “little buddy” Akira, before giving him another GERMAN SUPLEX! Connors does his best Brock Lesnar jump steps and he gets Akira again. DEADLIFT GERMAN SUPLEX! Connors covers, TWO!
Fans rally up for “A! KI-RA!” “WILD! RHI-NO!” as Connors whips. Akira tilt-o-whirls, but Connors blocks and has Akira up, but Akira turns it to DDT! Akira flounders away to a corner, he goes up top, BLINDSIDE MISSILE DROPKICK! Connors flounders out of the ring, Akira follows and POSTS him! Then he RAMS Connors into the metal barriers! Akira stomps Connors down then wants the count out! The count begins, the fans rally, and Connors gets up. Akira rushes in but Connors blocks the rana to get Akira up! But Akira turns that into a RANA Into the POST! Connors is down again at 15!
Connors sits up at 16 and fans fire up! Connors is going the wrong way! Then he realizes it, and scrambles in at 19! Akira dropkicks Connors down, covers, TWO! Fans fire up and Akira wraps on a chinlock. Akira squeezes tight but fans rally up and Connors fights to his feet. Connors throws body shots, but Akira knees low. Akira runs, but Connors drops down then goes the other way to POUNCE Akira! Fans fire up as Akira is in the corner, Connors runs in to back elbow! Connors whips corner to corner, RAMS into Akira, then back drops him away! Connors drops an elbow, covers, TWO! Fans rally while Connors drags Akira back up.
Connors drags Akira up, scoops him and SLAMS him. Connors goes to the corner and fans rally. Connors climbs, but Akira CLUBS him! Akira CLUBS Connors again, then climbs up to join Connors. Fans fire up but Connors elbows Akira down! Connors adjusts, but Akira gets back up to kick a leg! Akira tucks Connors in, shouts out Ospreay, CHEEKY NANDOS! Fans fire up with Akira and he hurries to reel Connors in! Chicken wing lift, HIGH ANGLE GERMAN! Bridging cover, TWO! Connors survives and Akira is beside himself! Fans rally up and Akira throws forearm after forearm, to the “A! KI-RA!” rhythm!
Connors stands, even as Akira throws those forearms. Connors ROCKS Akira with one shot! But Akira’s back up! Connors ducks the roundhouse and back suplexes, but Akira slips around to make it a sunset flip! TWO, and Akira BUZZSAWS Connors down! Fans fire up again and Akira hurries to aim from a corner! FIRE- NO! Connors ducks, runs in, but Akira jumps the spear to sunset flip! TWO!! Akira can’t believe it, but the fans are rallying as both men reset. Akira vows to hit this one, and he runs in, but into a POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Connors roars and fans fire up with him! Connors hoists Akira up, TROPHY KILLER!! Cover, Connors wins!!
Winner: Clark Connors, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Akira earns 0)
This Wild Rhino is building up momentum, will he become a juggernaut in the block? And will Will Ospreay have to give Akira a talking to?
Best of the Super Juniors 29 B Block: Titan VS Wheeler Yuta!
The CMLL World Welterweight Champion collides with the ROH Pure Champion! The Immortal finally got on the board while the Decoder broke even, but whose luck runs out right away in round five?
The bell rings and fans rally up as the two stare down. They circle, tie up, and fight for control. Yuta slips through, goes from one arm to the other and wrenches to a wristlock. Yuta cranks the hold but Titan rolls and handsprings to arm-drag Yuta down! Yuta kips up to arm-drag back! Yuta sweeps and covers, ONE! Titan sweeps and rolls Yuta but Yuta ducks the buzzsaw. Titan runs but into an arm-drag! Titan arm-drags back, and dropkicks cancel out! Both men handspring up and fans fire up! Yuta says that’s good lucha libre. Fans rally and the two get forehead to forehead. Yuta CHOPS, but Titan CHOPS back!
Yuta CHOPS, Titan CHOPS back again! They CHOP and CHOP, fans rally up for the CHOP fight! Titan SOBATS, then he wrenches and whips Yuta to a corner. Yuta reverses, runs in but into a BOOT! Titan goes up but Yuta CHOPS! Titan just growls! Titan SLAPS, Yuta CHOPS, they go back and forth, but Yuta CHOPS! Titan roars, but then he tumbles off the top! Yuta hurries to build speed and DIVE! Direct hit and fans fire up with Yuta! Yuta gets Titan up and fans rally as Yuta puts Titan in. Cover, TWO! Yuta pushes Titan around, hammerlocks an arm and SNAP LOCKS it! Then Yuta gets the legs and ties those up, BOW ‘N’ ARROW!
Fans rally and Titan endures the stretch. Titan pops out to a cover, TWO! Yuta stomps Titan down, then goes to a corner. Fans rally, Titan crawls but Yuta brings him up. Yuta fireman’s carries but Titan fights free! Titan waistlocks, Yuta throws an elbow to switch and shove. Yuta follows but Titan dodges to RANA! Yuta bails out, Titan builds speed to DIVE! Direct hit and Young Lions are the barriers again! Fans fire up as Titan resets and goes again, to DIVE! An even harder tope! Fans fire up and Titan brings Yuta up and in. Titan aims from a corner, SUPERKICK! Yuta wobbles, Titan brings him up and in to a AIR RAID CRASH! Cover, TWO!
Fans rally and Titan gets back up. Titan waits on Yuta, but Yuta ducks the buzzsaw! Yuta shoves, BOOTS, then runs, but into a SUPERKICK! Titan roars, runs, but Yuta back drops him away! But Titan kips up to PELE! Titan gets to a corner, runs in, but into an atomic drop and ENZIGURI! Both men are down and fans fire up again! Fans rally and Yuta pushes himself up. Yuta drags Titan into a waistlock, brings him up, but Titan fights the lift! Titan throws elbows, then victory rolls, TWO! Yuta has it, TWO! Fans rally, Yuta spins but into Titan’s flurry of kicks! But Yuta still ROLLING ELBOWS!
Yuta runs corner to corner to back elbow! Yuta keeps moving but Titan follows, DRIVE-BY LARIAT! Titan is outside and he throws off the armbands! Titan aims from the apron, springboards, but into a BIG dropkick! And then HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! Roll into the DRAGON’S LAIR! Yuta wins!!
Winner: Wheeler Yuta, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Titan earns 0)
What a fast and furious battle of champions! The Decoder gets the better of Titan, but he applauds and offers a handshake in respect. Titan accepts, and fans applaud the sportsmanship. Will Yuta keep climbing to put the Blackpool Combat Club at the top of the block? Or will Titan recover and prove he is immortal?
Best of the Super Juniors 29 B Block: EL LINDAMAN VS El Phantasmo!
The G-Rex Champion just had a GLEAT main event victory yesterday, while the Headbanga has a rather shocking defeat. Will Lindaman keep his momentum going? Or will ELP be the one to get a shocker here tonight?
The bell rings and fans rally already, “LIN-DA-MAN!” “E L P!” The two circle, tie up, ELP waistlocks and SLAMS Lindaman, then floats all over him before slapping him around. ELP handsprings and strikes his pose, but Lindaman is just annoyed. Lindaman throws a forearm, so ELP gives it back. Lindaman throws another, ELP hits him back, and fans rally as they go faster and faster. ELP gets the edge, CHOPS Lindaman against ropes, then runs, but into a drop toehold! ELP ends up on ropes and Lindaman slaps him around now! Fans fire up and ELP protests, but Lindaman wrenches ELP’s hair, to then TOSS him to a corner!
Fans rally and the ref reprimands. Lindaman dusts off his hands of ELP’s hair while ELP complains about the hair pulling. Lindaman goes over to ELP but ELP throws a forearm. ELP headlocks, Lindaman powers out, but ELP runs Lindaman over with a shoulder. ELP flexes, runs, but then he steps on Lindaman’s drop down. Fans rally as ELP struts around, but Lindaman GERMAN SUPLEXES him! ELP bails out and Lindaman builds speed as the fans fire up! Lindaman FLIES! Direct hit with the tope conjilo, and the Young Lions are there to stop Lindaman from crashing into fans. Lindaman raises the Young Lions’ hands and fans fire up!
Lindaman stalks ELP while the ring count climbs. ELP flounders but Lindaman brings him up. Lindaman ROCKS ELP with a forearm, then another. ELP rakes eyes! And he POSTS Lindaman! The count is 15 of 20 but ELP whips Lindaman into steel barriers! ELP gets in at 17, Lindaman flounders up and in at 19! Fans rally and ELP is frustrated. ELP drags Lindaman up to suplex, and stall before the SLAM! Cover, TWO! Fans fire up but ELP drags Lindaman up and fireman’s carries. GUT BUSTER DROP! Cover, TWO! Lindaman is still in this but ELP drags him back up. ELP reels him in, gets Lindaman up, SIT-OUT POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!!
Fans fire up more as Lindaman survives again! ELP is frustrated but he kicks at Lindaman. ELP CLAWS Lindaman’s back! The ref reprimands and Lindaman writhes, but ELP gives him toying kicks. ELP talks trash, Lindaman tries to chop, but ELP rakes the eyes! ELP throws a forearm, whips, but Lindaman holds ropes to block. ELP CHOPS, wrenches and whips, but Lindaman reverses, only for ELP to hold ropes and avoid the dropkick. ELP goes to ropes but Lindaman shoves him through! Lindaman goes up and out to climb the ropes, DRAPING BLOCKBUSTER! Fans fire up and cheer the innovation while both men are down.
ELP rolls away to a corner, Lindaman goes to the opposite. Lindaman runs in corner to corner, hits a back elbow, and he rallies the fans again. Lindaman whips but ELP blocks, only for Lindaman to sayanagi and DDT! Lindaman drags ELP to a cover, TWO! Fans rally up and Lindaman gets ELP to center. Fans fire up and Lindaman goes to a corner, Lindaman runs, STMOPS, then goes up the other corner! Fans rally with “HAI HAI HAI!” Lindaman leaps but ELP gets under! ELP goes to springboard, but he slips and falls! ELP clutches his leg, but is he just pulling what Douki did to him? Lindaman goes over, and yes, ELP tries to cradle!
But Lindaman blocks and deadlift suplexes ELP! Cover, TWO!! ELP survives and fans fire up again! Lindaman waistlocks and deadlifts ELP again, but ELP blocks with his longer limbs! ELP stomps the foot, back elbows, then runs. Lindaman elbows, ROLLING ELBOWS, then runs, but into DOUBLE CHOPS! Lindaman shouts, “C’MON!” ELP runs but he stumbles and falls at the ropes? Another trick, is it? Lindaman isn’t sure what to make of it as ELP keeps flopping around! The ref wants to check ELP and ELP wants a timeout? Lindaman has the ref move, ELP SUDDEN DEATH!! It was a fakeout!
ELP hurries to hook Lindaman up, C R II!! Cover, ELP wins!!
Winner: El Phantasmo, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Lindaman earns 0)
The Headbanga tricks Lindaman and takes down the G-Rex! He even does jumping jacks just to rub it in! ELP is the top of the block for now, how long will he maintain pole position? As for Lindaman, can he redeem himself in round six?
Best of the Super Juniors 29 A Block: Ryusuke Taguchi VS SHO!
The Funky Weapon lost to Connors’ buns of steel, while the Murder Machine got beat at his own game by Taiji Ishimori. Only one can rebound, so who gets out of the 1-3 traffic jam?
Taguchi brings a headlamp to the lamp because he doesn’t trust the House of Torture to keep the lights on. He lets one of the Young Lions wear it, but then Sho attacks at the corner! Sho stomps Taguchi, digs his boot into Taguchi’s neck, and the bell rings. The ref takes the title belts away, Sho drags Taguchi up and throws him out of the ring. Sho goes out to stomp Taguchi more, then drag him up with a sleeper! Sho drags Taguchi to the entryway and to the back! They fight backstage, the ref wonders what to do! Sho peeks his head out and says it’s all good. The ring count starts, and then Sho beats up Taguchi more.
The count is 10 of 20, Sho returns but what about Taguchi? Sho slides into the ring at 13, Taguchi crawls out at 15! Taguchi manages to return at 19! Just what did Sho do to him? He looks pale. Fans rally up for “TA-GU-CHI!” but Sho stomps him down. Sho drags Taguchi up, rakes the eyes, but lets off as the ref reprimands. Sho whips, but Taguchi HIP ATTACKS! Fans fire up and Taguchi drags Sho up. Taguchi throws Sho out, takes off his shirt, and uses it to CHOKE Sho! Taguchi drags Sho away to the entryway now! And to the back, just like Sho did! Sho kicks and flails through the curtain, and Taguchi peeks his head out! Taguchi is clearly T-BAGGING Sho over and over!!
Sho flails and kicks as he’s smothered by the Funky Weapon! The ring count starts, Taguchi walks back out through the curtain, and Taguchi’s tights are down! He’s wearing a teal thong!! The count is 10 of 20 and Sho hasn’t moved! Taguchi gets in the ring and he reveals his second trick: he swaps Sho’s shirt (and wrench) with another! The count is 15, Sho revives and gasps as he staggers over. Sho gets in at 19 and dry heaves again. Taguchi grins, and he digs his knee into Sho’s head. The ref counts, Taguchi lets off, to then SIT on Sho’s face! Sho freaks out, the ref counts and Taguchi lets off at 4.
Taguchi drags Sho up, gives him a point blank hip attack, then brings him around to whip. Sho reverses, then dodges the Hip Attack! Taguchi crashes ‘n’ burns and Sho grumbles at Taguchi. Sho digs at Taguchi’s eyes then stomps the butt that traumatized him! Sho digs his heel into Taguchi’s rear but Taguchi gets to the ropes! The ref counts, Sho lets off at 4. Sho drags Taguchi up but Taguchi CHOPS, and CHOPS, and CHOPS! Sho kicks low, wrenches the arm and brings Taguchi down to kick, KICK and SUPERKICK! Fans rally up and Sho drags Taguchi back up. Sho reels Taguchi in, crosses the arms, but Taguchi blocks the lift!
Taguchi back drops Sho away! Fans fire up and Taguchi runs, but Sho counters hip attack with atomic drop! Sho runs, Taguchi follows, but again Sho counters hip attack with atomic drop! Sho runs, but Taguchi somersaults to HIP ATTACK! Fans fire up as Sho bails out, and Taguchi hurries to triangle jump PLANCHA! Direct hit and fans fire up! Taguchi gets up, he brings Sho up and puts him in the ring. Taguchi springboards but Sho dodges the missile hip. Taguchi comes back but Sho catches him to a waistlock! Taguchi elbows free, then fakes Sho out on running! Sho realizes it too late, HIP ATTACK!
Taguchi runs to HIP ATTACK Sho at the ropes! And again! And then baseball slide, APRON HIP! Taguchi springboards, MISSILE HIP! High stack cover, TWO! Fans rally up for “TA-GU-CHI!” as he calls upon the powers of Strong Style! “ORYA~!” But Sho uses the ref as a shield! But then Taguchi shoves the ref back! Sho shoves the ref, Taguchi shoves the ref, the ref is a pinball! Sho shoves the ref again, then runs, but Taguchi shoves the ref away to avoid the spear! Taguchi grabs the leg, OH MY GARFUNKLE! Sho endures, fans fire up, and Sho hops up, but Taguchi reels him in! Sho grabs at the ref, shoves him away, then elbows Taguchi away!
Taguchi runs back in, but Sho dodges and the HIP ATTACK hits the ref! Taguchi checks on the ref and says this is bad! Taguchi tells his Young Lion to have that head lamp ready! Taguchi watches for House of Torture members at the entryway, but Sho hits a GERMAN SUPLEX! Sho says Taguchi’s so stupid! Sho then laughs as he goes to his corner and grabs the shirt. But surprise, it’s a Taguchi shirt and a BANANA! Sho can’t believe it! Taguchi grins, dodges and HIP- NO, waistlock! But Taguchi drop toeholds to OH MY GARFUNKLE! The ref is back, Sho grabs at him again, but then Sho drags Taguchi into an ARMBAR!
Taguchi fights, stacks Sho, TWO!! OH MY GARFUNKLE!! Sho reaches for the ref again but the ref won’t let Sho get a hold of him! Taguchi drops an elbow on the leg, then OH MY GARFUNKLE!! Sho endures, but NOW the lights go out! The headlamp shines on the match, Sho is grabbing the ref again! Sho endures the hold, but wait, Yujiro Takahashi CLOBBERS the Young Lion! And someone gets in the ring! They’re choking Taguchi! But wait, something happens, and Taguchi turns it around! The lights come back, and Taguchi is T-BAGGING Dick Togo!! Yujiro gets in to CANE SHOT Taguchi!!
Fans rally as Dick and Yujiro get out of the ring. Sho hobbles over to cover Taguchi and his bare butt! Sho wins!!
Winner: Sho, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Taguchi earns 0)
Sho still complains about the banana being switched with his wrench, but the House of Torture is just happy to see he won. Will the Murder Machine continue to build back up towards the top of the block? Will Taguchi be able to recover and try again in the sixth?
Best of the Super Juniors 29 A Block: Yoshinobu Kanemaru VS Taiji Ishimori!
The Heel Master defused the Ticking Timebomb, and the Bone Soldier outplayed the Murder Machine! Will Kanemaru toast a victory over THE IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion? Or will Taiji stay spotless in the block?
Taiji keeps looking back at Kanemaru to make sure he stays put. Taiji takes off his mask and finishes his introduction, but then he turns around and Kanemaru dropkicks the legs out! The bell rings and Kanemaru gets Taiji’s leg! Taiji kicks Kanemaru away, then bails out so he can take his jacket and title belt off. Fans rally up, Taiji rushes back in, but then Kanemaru slides right out! Taiji and Kanemaru argue and egg each other on, but Taiji goes out to chase Kanemaru. They get back in the ring, Kanemaru ducks and dodges to tilt-o-whirl DDT! Then scoop for BRITISH FALL! Cover, TWO!
Kanemaru hurries to go up the corner! Fans fire up and Taiji stands, DEEP- NO! Taiji holds off the DDT and pops Kanemaru around to CIPHER UTAKI! Both men are down, fans rally back up, and Taiji crawls away to his corner. Taiji grabs his title belt but the ref sees that. The ref stops Taiji, but Kanemaru gets his whiskey! Kanemaru tags a swig, he gets the ref aside then dodges the belt shot to WHISKEY MIST! Shove and victory roll, TWO!! But Kanemaru has the legs in a figure four clutch! KANEMARU WINS!!!
Winner: Yoshinobu Kanemaru, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Ishimori earns 0)
What in the world?! Taiji’s first loss in this tournament is the fastest loss in the whole thing! Maybe fastest ever! Is the Heel Master going to snatch away the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship just as fast? Can the Bone Soldier still keep the lead in the block?
Best of the Super Juniors 29 B Block: Robbie Eagles VS TJP!
The Sniper of the Skies lost to a IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion while Public Enemy Number One lost to the CMLL World Welterweight Champion. Will Eagles take flight again? Or will the Fil-Am Flash get back up from the bottom of the block?
The bell rings and fans rally up, “EA-GL-SU!” “T J P!” as the two circle. They tie up, TJP wrenches to a wristlock. Eagles spins, wrenches but TJP rolls, spins and cartwheels. TJP brings Eagles into the TWISTING HEADSCISSOR, but Eagles then headscissors back! TJP moves around to headstand and fans applaud. Eagles isn’t sure what to do with TJP, and then TJP lets himself down, to pop free and pat Eagles on the knee. Fans applaud, and TJP even pats Eagles on the head! Fans rally up again, “T J P!” “EA-GL-SU!” They tie up with knuckle locks and have a test of strength. Eagles pushes but TJP bridges, then kips up and rolls to wrench a wrist.
TJP trips Eagles and rolls him back but Eagles arm-drags TJP away. Eagles sweeps, covers, ONE! TJP sweeps but Eagles backflips over it! Fans fire up and Eagles pats TJP on the head. Eagles then dabs on TJP! TJP swipes at him but Eagles dodges and he dropkicks TJP down! Eagles gets TJP up, headlocks, and uses the corner for a tornado takedown! TJP keeps his shoulders up but Eagles traps an arm. TJP gets that arm free and tries to fight up but Eagles pushes him down. Fans rally, TJP works to get back up, and they bridge! TJP spins Eagles around to go for a cobra twist! Eagles resists so TJP tries an octopus!
Eagles still wrists so TJP wrangles him down with double knuckle locks. TJP makes it a cover, ONE as Eagles gets an arm up. TJP pushes that down but Eagles gets the other arm up. TJP gets them both down, but Eagles bridges up! Fans rally, TJP jumps on but Eagles stays up! But not for long, it’s a cover again, TWO as Eagles an arm up! TJP jumps up again but Eagles monkey flips and arm-drags TJP away! TJP comes back but Eagles dodges and RANAS! TJP comes back again, into a WHEEL KICK! TJP bails out, Eagles kips up and fans rally, Eagles fakes TJP out! Eagles does finger guns and TJP sighs.
Fans rally, TJP gets on the apron and Eagles rushes in. TJP throws a forearm, avoids the tiger feint, and the shoulder! DRAPING GUILLOTINE! The ref counts, TJP lets off at 4 and he drags Eagles to the apron. APRON NECKBREAKER! Fans fire up and TJP gets in the ring while the ref checks on Eagles. Eagles is okay to continue but TJP lounges in the corner while the count starts. Eagles gets up at 8 of 20, in at 10, but TJP has his leg. TJP steps through, turns Eagles over, INDIAN DEATHLOCK! Fans rally and TJP SNAP LOCKS! And then SNAP LOCKS! And then MUTA LOCK! Eagles endures and fans rally up more!
Eagles pries free of the crossface and he gets the ROPEBREAK! TJP lets off, bumps Eagles off buckles, and then EuroUppers Eagles down. TJP drags Eagles back up, wrenches and whips corner to corner, then runs in, but into a BOOT! Eagles dodges TJP, but TJP goes up and over, only for Eagles to stop the DDT. Eagles blocks the kick, slips through, but TJP rakes eyes! TJP gives the slip through back, but Eagles lands out of the back suplex to ROLLING CHOP BLOCK! Eagles keeps moving, BLINDSIDE ELBOW! Fans fire up while both men are down! Eagles KICKS TJP, KICKS again, and again! Eagles runs, LEG LARIAT!
TJP goes to a corner, fans rally up and Eagles runs corner to corner. DOUBLE KNEES, but TJP stays up. TJP elbows Eagles away, but Eagles tiger feints the legs out! Eagles comes back again, METEORA! Eagles drags TJP to a cover, TWO! Fans rally up and Eagles drags TJP to get a leg, but TJP kicks him with the other. Eagles hits a spinning toehold! Fans rally again and Eagles goes to the corner. Eagles goes out and up, 450 but he has to roll through as TJP moves! Eagles kicks TJP’s leg, SHIRANUI, but TJP slips free for a rolling takedown! STF! But Eagles scrambles around, ROPEBREAK!
Fans rally again as TJP lets go. TJP gets a leg and drags Eagles from ropes. Eagles throws a forearm but TJP hits him back. Eagles ROCKS TJP, but TJP CHOPS Eagles. Eagles brings TJP up to CHOP! TJP throws forearm after forearm, but Eagles KICKS the leg out! Eagles aims, but TJP blocks the superkick to SOBAT! Eagles comes back but swings into a dragon sleeper! Eagles fights free, runs, but TJP goes to springboard, FLYING FOREARM! TJP gets Eagles up in the dragon sleeper, SUDDEN IMPACT! Cover, TWO! Fans fire up while both men are down again. TJP drags Eagles to a drop zone and he goes up the corner. SWANTON, but TJP has to roll through as Eagles moves!
Eagles runs in, CHOP BLOCK! Eagles goes to the apron, then the corner. Eagles springboards, but TJP catches the dropkick to DDT the leg! TJP hooks the leg but Eagles fights the crossface! TJP grabs at the arms, but Eagles turns over to get a cradle! TWO, but Eagles has the legs! RON MILLER SPECIAL!! TJP endures and fans rally up as Eagles puts on the pressure! TJP claws his way forward and reaches out, ROPEBREAK! Eagles lets go and he drags TJP away. Eagles gets TJP up into the TURBO BACKPACK! Cover, TWO!! TJP survives, Eagles goes up the corner! 450 but TJP gets his knees out of the way!
Eagles flounders in the drop zone while TJP climbs up! NBA JAM!! And then PINOY STRETCH!! Eagles endures but he is caught! Eagles taps, TJP wins!!
Winner: TJP, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Eagles earns 0)
Another big win and Public Enemy Number One is no longer last place! But will he be able to keep this going towards the top? Will Eagles reload and take aim at a win in the next round?
Best of the Super Juniors 29 B Block: Master Wato VS El Desperado!
The Way of the Grandmaster finally scored last round, while the Rogue Luchador was brought down by El Lindaman! Will Wato make Desperado feel worse than he did before? Or will Desperado snatch a golden ticket for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships as he fights back up?
The bell rings and fans rally up as the two stare down. They slowly circle, then approach and tie up. Wato powers Desperado to ropes but lets off with pats on the shoulder. Fans applaud and rally again as Desperado and Wato circle again. They tie up, Wato again puts Desperado on ropes but Desperado turns it around. Desperado feints a chop, but then actually CHOPS! Desperado taunts Wato for not seeing that coming, and the two circle again. Wato rushes in to waistlock, but Desperado spins around to facelock. Wato wrenches out to a wristloick, Desperado rolls to wrench him back. Desperado twists the wrist but Wato slips through to wrench and hammerlock.
Desperado moves around, drops and rolls, but Wato pushes him down to a headlock takeover. Desperado keeps his shoulders up but Wato traps an arm. Desperado rolls it to a cover, ONE and Wato holds on. Desperado powers up and out, and pulls Wato’s hair! The ref reprimands but Desperado headlocks. Wato powers up and out, but Desperado pulls hair again! The ref reprimands, Desperado lets go and headlocks again. Wato throws body shots and puts Desperado on ropes. Desperado holds onto the ropes, the ref counts and they get off the ropes, only for Desperado to rake Wato’s eyes! Desperado stops at 4, runs, but ducks the roundhouse!
Wato back elbows, uppercuts, but Desperado blocks the sobat! Wato avoids the lariat to SOBAT after all! Fans fire up and Desperado goes to a corner. Wato brings Desperado up, whips him corner to corner, and runs in to back elbow! Wato fires off forearms but the ref backs him off. Wato rushes back in but is put on the apron. Wato GAMANGIRIS back, but Desperado rushes back in. Wato jumps over the baseball slide, only for Desperado to trip him up! Wato hits the apron, Desperado brings Wato around and POSTS him! Desperado catches his breath, drags Wato back up and POSTS Wato again!
Fans rally, the ring count climbs, and Desperado leaves Wato behind. Wato sits up at 11, drags himself up at 14, and gets in at 15! Fans applaud but Desperado looms over Wato. Desperado drags Wato up, CHOPS him to a corner, and then comes back. Wato throws forearms, but Desperado CHOPS him down! Fans fire up and Desperado drags Wato to center, for a KNEE JAMMER! And then a SPLASH on the leg! Desperado digs his knee into Wato’s leg for a deep toehold! Wato tries to kick Desperado but Desperado pulls on the hold more! Desperado ties up the legs in a BUTTERFLY DEATHLOCK! Desperado eggs Wato on and Wato CHOPS!
Desperado eggs Wato more, and Wato CHOPS again! Desperado “falls” back and puts on more pressure! Wato endures and fans rally up! Desperado rests on his side while keeping on the leglock. Desperado taunts Wato to go for the ropes, and Wato reaches out. Wato drags Desperado with him, to the ROPEBREAK! The ref helps Desperado undo the hold, but “Oops!” Desperado drops knees on the knee. Desperado drags Wato up, but Wato CHOPS! Desperado felt that one! Wato CHOPS again, but Desperado rakes the eyes! Then Desperado gut wrenches but Wato fights Guitarra. Desperado kicks low then tries again, GUITARRA-
No, Wato slips free! But his bad leg jams! Desperado gives toying kicks while fans rally up. Wato gets up, Desperado runs, but Wato RANAS Desperado out! Fans fire up and Wato builds speed, to FLY! Direct hit and fans fire up while both men are down! Fans rally and Wato gets up to bring Desperado up and into the ring. Wato climbs up a corner and leaps, BIG missile dropkick! Desperado ends up back outside, and Wato builds speed! TORNILLO! Direct hit on Desperado, and then the Young Lions keep Wato from ending up in the front row! Even then, a fan ends up part of the action! Wato makes sure fan is okay, and he goes back to Desperado.
The ring count climbs, Wato gets Desperado in and then goes to the corner. Wato springboards, FLYING CROSBODY! Cover, TWO! Desperado clutches his arm and fans rally up. Wato fires up, he drags Desperado up, but Desperado fights the waistlock. Desperado reaches out but Wato keeps him from ropes! Desperado mule kicks but Wato kicks, KICKS and SUPER- NO! Desperado deflects the superkick to hit a BIG back suplex! Desperado roars, gets a leg, GROUND DRAGON SCREW! Then a knee drop on the knees! STRETCH MUFFLER! Wato flails and reaches out but Desperado thrashes the leg!
Wato fights and keeps reaching, ROPEBREAK! Desperado puts the leg on the ropes, HIP DROP! Wato clutches his knee and fans rally up. Desperado drags Wato up, gets the leg, but Wato fights the lift! Desperado ROCKS Wato with an elbow! Wato flops down and Desperado demands he get back up! Fans rally, Desperado brings Wato up again, but Wato KNEES free of the shinbreaker! Fans fire up while both men are down again, and Wato gets his bad leg moving. Wato wants Desperado to sit up, and he BUZZSAWS Desperado back down! Wato brings Desperado up, HIGH ANGLE GERMAN! Bridging cover, ONE!! The bad leg couldn’t hold on!
Wato hurries to get Desperado up again, hooks him up, MOUSE TRAP DRIVER!! Cover, TWO!! But into the BUTTERFLY LOCK!! Wato has Desperado caught, but Desperado flails and moves around! Desperado keeps fighting, rocking the hold back and forth, closer and closer, ROPEBREAK! Wato lets go and fans fire up again. Wato hurries to drag Desperado to a drop zone. Fans rally as Wato climbs, R P P FLOPS! Fans fire up again as Desperado gets to the corner. Desperado gets up and aims at Wato, CHOP BLOCK! STRETCH MUFFLER! But Wato rolls it to a cradle! TWO!! Wato dodges the boot to ZIGZAG! Cover, TWO!!
Wato is furious but the fans are thunderous! Wato roars and he drags Desperado up! But Desperado slips out of the scoop, ripcord and SPINEBUSTER! To the gut wrench, GUITARRA DEL ANGEL!! Cover, TWO!! Fans fire up again as Wato survives! Desperado gets up and he roars! Desperado drags Wato back up, reels him in and underhooks the arms, PINCHE- NO! Wato fights out, tilt-o-whirls and rolls Desperado! Desperado rolls through, PINCHE LOCO!! Cover, Desperado wins!
Winner: El Desperado, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Wato earns 0)
The Rogue Luchador has his rebound, and a golden ticket to the tag titles! Is the comeback still on track? As for Wato, will he be stuck at the bottom of the block?
Best of the Super Juniors 29 A Block: YOH VS Hiromu Takahashi!
It’s a rematch from last year’s Best of the Super Juniors finals, as well as this year’s Wrestling Dontaku! And the twist is, both men are coming off losses from last round! Will it be Mr. Direct Drive or the Ticking Timebomb who gets back on track towards a return to the top?
The bell rings and fans rally as these two circle. They tie up, are in a bit of a deadlock, and Yoh powers Hiromu back towards ropes. Yoh lets off cleanly, but then he rushes Hiromu to whip him to ropes. Hiromu jumps over the drop down, whips, but Yoh reverses to dropkick the legs out! Yoh chases after Hiromu as he bails out to put Hiromu right back in! Yoh gets the leg, steps through, KNEEBAR! Hiromu scrambles, ROPEBREAK! Hiromu gets away again but Yoh pursues. Yoh stomps Hiromu’s bad leg, fans rally up, and Yoh gets Hiromu’s leg to YANK it! Yoh stomps the bad leg, then brings Hiromu up to put him in.
Hiromu hobbles, Yoh stalks up to CHOP BLOCK! Fans applaud the savagery and Yoh gets the leg to SMASH it on the mat! Hiromu writhes, Yoh SMASHES the knee again! Hiromu grumbles but Yoh hits a spinning toehold! Yoh tells Hiromu it’s time to get serious! Yoh steps through but Hiromu kicks him away. Hiromu CHOPS Yoh, fans rally up, and Hiromu CHOPS again! Hiromu whips, Yoh reverses to dropkick the bad leg! Fans rally up and Hiromu clutches his leg. Yoh drags Hiromu up, hauls him up, and throws him to land on the bad knee! Then FIGURE FOUR LEGLOCK! Hiromu endures as Yoh trashes around!
Fans rally, Hiromu works to drag himself and Yoh towards ropes, but Yoh puts as much pressure as he can on the hold! Hiromu still gets the ROPEBREAK! Yoh lets go in frustration but the fans rally up. Yoh stomps the bad leg and Hiromu shouts in pain. Hiromu still eggs Yoh on so Yoh stomps the leg again! And again! Fans rally, “HI-RO-MU!” while Yoh scuffs and toys with him. Hiromu gets up but Yoh brings him in to suplex. Hiromu slips out but the leg jams! Yoh kicks the leg, runs, Hiromu follows and RANAS Yoh down! Fans fire up as both men are down, and Hiromu gets himself to a corner. Fans rally again as Hiromu takes aim.
Yoh runs in first, Hiromu dodges, and he clotheslines! Hiromu throws Yoh down, and basement dropkicks! Yoh bails out and Hiromu hurries to the apron. FLYING JOHN WOO! Direct hit and Yoh ends up folded! Hiromu fires up and fights through the pain in his leg while fans rally up. Hiromu hobbles over to drag Yoh up. Hiromu puts Yoh in, drags him up, and suplexes for the FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO! Fans rally, Hiromu gets up and he drags Yoh up. Hiromu fireman’s carries, but Yoh slips off! Hiromu mule kicks, front kicks, then fireman’s carries again. But Yoh slips off and Hriomu ends up in the corner.
Hiromu BOOTS Yoh from the corner, but Yoh blocks the superkick and dropkicks the other leg out! Fans rally again while Hiromu gets to ropes. Yoh rushes over to get the bad leg, DRAGON SCREW! Then GROUND DRAGON SCREW! Yoh then clamps on the KNEEBAR!! Hiromu endures, reaches out for ropes, and fans rally as Yoh pulls on the leg as hard as he can! Hiromu still crawls over, ROPEBREAK! Yoh lets go in frustration again, but fans rally up. Yoh watches Hiromu slowly rise, and Yoh runs in to dropkick the leg out! Yoh gets Hiromu up, waistlocks, GERMAN SUPLEX! Yoh holds on and brings Hiromu up again, GERMAN SUPLEX!
Yoh still holds the waistlock and he brings Hiromu up again, but Hiromu reaches for ropes! ROPEBREAK! Hiromu elbows Yoh away, then dodges Yoh to SNAP GERMAN! But Yoh is right back up!? Only for HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER! Fans fire up while both men are down, and Hiromu grits his teeth as he gets up. Hiromu hobbles over, drags Yoh up, and he fireman’s carries. But the leg won’t let Hiromu run with it! Yoh kicks the leg, reels Hiromu in, but Hiromu wrenches out and dodges to wheelbarrow, COMPLETE SHOT! Fans fire up again and Hiromu gets back up. Fans fire up more as Hiromu roars!
Hiromu drags Yoh up, fireman’s carries, DYNAMITE PLUNGER! Cover, TWO! Hiromu is frustrated now but fans fire up and he gets up again. Hiromu brings Yoh up, fireman’s carry, but Yoh slips off and waistlocks! O’Conner, FIVE STAR- NO! Hiromu slips out to full nelson! Yoh breaks free, Hiromu ducks the back elbow, but then Yoh blocks the superkick! DRAGON SCREW! Hiromu falls over, clutching his bad leg! Hiromu goes to a corner and fans are thunderous as they rally up. Yoh gets up at center while Hiromu drags himself up the ropes. Yoh grits his teeth and runs in at the corner to back elbow!
Yoh hoists Hiromu up top, CHOPS him, then climbs up to join him. Fans rally again as Yoh brings Hiromu up, SUPERPLEX! And roll through to FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO!! But into the KNEEBAR!! Hiromu endures again, fans rally, and Yoh thrashes the leg around! Hiromu grabs at Red Shoes, reaches for the ropes, claws his way over, but Yoh drags Hiromu away! Hiromu flails and writhes, he fights his way forward again, ROPEBREAK!! Yoh lets go in frustration but the fans are thunderous again! Yoh gets up and shakes his head. He KICKS Hiromu’s arm away from the ropes, then brings Hiromu in.
Yoh suplexes, Hiromu fights it but his leg jams! Yoh KICKS the leg, reels Hiromu in, but Hiromu suplexes! Yoh fights that off and wrenches out, but Hiromu HEADBUTTS! Hiromu SUPERKICKS! Yoh staggers, Hiromu runs, but Yoh dodges the lariat, only for Hiromu to LARIAT on the return! Cover, TWO!! Yoh survives but Hiromu shakes his head! Fans rally, Hiromu gets Yoh back up and reels him in, VICTORY ROYAL! Hiromu drags Yoh into the dragon suplex, but Yoh slips out! O’Conner Roll, FIVE STAR CLUTCH!! TWO!?!? Yoh can’t believe it, and even Hiromu has to double check! Yes, that was just two! But Yoh SUPERKICKS!!
Yoh flounders against ropes and fans are thunderous again! Yoh gets Hiromu up, reels him in, suplexes, GHOSTBUSTER! Fans fire up with Yoh and he gets Hiromu in for DIRECT- NO! Hiromu slips out, but the leg again! Hiromu still gets a cradle, TWO!!! Yoh runs in, Hiromu scoops and dragon sleeper, but Yoh slips through to dragon sleeper back! SAVING GRACE BACKBREAKER! Yoh roars and fans are thunderous again! Underhooks and DIRECT DRIVE!! Cover, Yoh wins!!
Winner: Yoh, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Hiromu earns 0)
Yoh avenges himself from BOSJ 28!! Hiromu tumbles away from the top of the block, is his threepeat doomed? As for Yoh, he gets to mic to say, “Everyone, I have just one thing to say. Are you happy that I won?” The fans applaud because yes, they are! Good, because he’s damn happy. Because that wasn’t just going through the motions, that was his love for pro-wrestling. It is difficult for Yoh to express himself, and it is difficult for him to show his emotions, his true self. “But that doesn’t mean I don’t feel.” When you tell Yoh he doesn’t feel anything, that you think he’s not cut out for this… Isn’t pro-wrestling about showing who you are?
Fans applaud because they agree. Yoh continues to say that instead of doing what someone tells you to do or how to be, pro-wrestling gives you the freedom to project who you truly are. Yoh apologizes for taking so long to say that, but the just wanted everyone to know he’s happy. And as for Hiromu, Yoh thanks him. The Direct Drive is fueled by a hidden passion, but will it bring him all the way back to the finals?
Here are the new standings in A Block!
Taiji Ishimori: 4-1, 8 points
Ace Austin: 4-1, 8 points
Alex Zayne: 3-2, 6 points
YOH: 3-2, 6 points
Hiromu Takahashi: 3-2, 6 points
SHO: 2-3, 4 points
Yoshinobu Kanemaru: 2-3, 4 points
Clark Connors: 2-3, 4 points
Ryusuke Taguchi: 1-4, 2 points
Francesco Akira: 1-4, 2 points
Here are the new standings for B Block!
El Phantasmo: 4-1, 8 points
El Desperado: 4-1, 8 points
El Lindaman: 3-2, 6 points
Wheeler Yuta: 3-2, 6 points
Douki: 3-2, 6 points
Bushii: 2-3, 4 points
TJP: 2-3, 4 points
Robbie Eagles: 2-3, 4 points
Master Wato: 1-4, 2 points
Titan: 1-4, 2 points
My Thoughts:
Another great round for NJPW BOSJ, a lot of great matches and results. Austin VS Zayne was an awesome opener, with really good story of them being friends and tag partners, and it was pretty big that Austin won. He’s right back in the hunt for the top of the block with this, especially after that great surprise loss for Taiji. No one thought Kanemaru would get Taiji so quick but that was what they were going for, and now there’s some drama in Taiji’s run, trying to be champion and tournament winner at the same time. Douki also gets a great surprising win, and honestly the same with Connors getting a win on Akira. The way Akira came in, I thought he was going to be red hot, but this was quite the surprise.
Good win for Yuta, though I’m surprised Titan is also near the bottom. ELP tricking Lindaman the way Douki tricked him was a fairly clever finish, so ELP and Desperado are keeping pace at the top of B Block. Desperado beating Wato makes a lot of sense, between the feud they’ve had on and off, as well as Desperado’s comeback story. Kanemaru getting that win over Taiji, Desperado getting this win over Wato, if Kanemaru beats Taguchi down the line, Suzuki-Gun’s top Junior Heavyweights could get all the gold again like they had a year or so ago. Taguchi VS Sho was hilarious for the entryway gags, and the comedy elements actually made the House of Torture interference less annoying. But Sho wins, he’ll surely build momentum towards his match with Yoh in the final round.
Great match from Eagles VS TJP and TJP gets a great win here to recover from last round. And of course, an awesome main event from Yoh VS Hiromu. Great story in Yoh adding on to what Kanemaru did last round with the leg damage, and naturally even Hiromu has a limit to what he can take. Yoh wins big, and his promo to end was a great moment for him to help fans understand him. He could still make a run to the top and return to the finals, but that match with Sho in the last round, May 31st, will be very telling.
My Score: 9/10
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And with the first overall pick of the 2024 WWE Draft, SmackDown selects…
The WWE Draft returns for 2024, the first four rounds being right here on Friday Night SmackDown! With champions protected, who ends up where to challenge them?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee w/ Zelina Vega & Carlito VS Angel Garza & Humberto Carrillo; Rey & Dragon win.
- Bron Breakker VS Cedric Alexander; Bron wins.
- WWE Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Naomi VS Tiffany Stratton; No Contest.
- Cody Rhodes VS Carmelo Hayes; Cody wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Backstage interview with Paul Heyman.
Kayla Braxton is with the Wise Man and says that here on night one of the Draft, there are already rumors circulating, including those about The Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns. Heyman will clarify these are not rumors regarding The Tribal Chief, Roman… Reigns. These are facts! Ladies and gentlemen, Your Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns, has voluntarily withdrawn from eligibility for this year’s Draft. That is not a negative but a positive. Who built SmackDown since the Pandemic? Roman Reigns. Who is the biggest star in the entire industry? Roman Reigns. Why would Roman Reigns hog the number one draft pick spotlight when he won’t be returning in the immediate future?
Read into his words, Kayla, that is not what a real Tribal Chief would do. Instead now, the pressure is on Nick Aldis. Because if Roman Reigns isn’t the first draft pick, then who is? The first two picks make history in a brand new era. And Heyman doesn’t know about you, but he is intrigued. No Tribal Chief up for grabs, who gets their opportunity to shine in the spotlight?
SmackDown throws it to the NXT Performance Center.
Jackie Redmond says the emotion down here is palpable! There is excitement, hope, and a little bit of nerves. But for these NXT Superstars, tonight is the culmination of a lifetime of hard work, dedication, a little bit of luck and a whole lot of self-belief. It was just last year that the NEW WWE Tag Team Champion, Grayson Waller, was hoping his name would be called. And it is funny this is NXT, but time to buy a vowel, throw in an E! Who is next? We find out tonight! The draft pool is deep, who rises to the top of the list?
Corey Graves is in the ring.
Corey welcomes Cincinnati and all of us at home to night one of the 2024 WWE Draft. Understandably, the GMs have their hands full, so Corey will be moderating the contract signing for the WWE Championship match that takes place next Saturday for Backlash: France. Without further ado, it’s the #1 contender, The Phenomenal AJ Styles! Styles makes his entrance, taking a seat at the table on camera right. And now, the Undisputed WWE Champion, the American Nightmare, Cody Rhodes! Cincy fires up and sings along, “WHOA~ OH~!” as Cody makes his entrance and gets his pyro before joining everyone in the ring.
Styles looks over the contract, absolutely tuning out the fans going wild for “CODY! CODY!” Styles then gets the mic to say before he signs, he doesn’t know if we realize that we’ve got two Georgia boys about to mix it up for the first time, and for the biggest prize in the game. Styles understands why they boo, but they gotta know that he doesn’t respect LA Knight, LA Knight got under his skin. He accepts that. But that’s why Styles lost at Mania. But what happened? Styles got his composure back and realized that he is Phenomenal. Styles BEAT Knight to earn the right to face Cody Rhodes at Backlash.
Now unlike Knight, Styles does respect Cody. They hadn’t crossed paths yet, but they’ve been down the same roads. They had to prove themselves outside of the WWE. And Styles is willing to believe that the same man who gave him advice a long time ago gave Cody the same advice, on how to stand on their own two feet and be the men they are today. That man was The American Dream, Dusty Rhodes. The fans cheer for “DUSTY! DUSTY!” Styles learned a lot from Dusty. Styles gets a little emotional thinking about Dusty, he was a good man. Dusty taught Styles how to carry himself, and to carry the weight of a championship.
And Styles looks at this WWE Championship here. The weight of this isn’t just the leather and gold. And at Backlash, we see if Cody can carry it. Styles goes back to his table, signs the contract, and then hands it off to Corey. Corey brings that to Cody, and Cody picks up his mic. “So… Cincinnati…! Whadda we wanna talk about? Certainly, we can talk about respect. There is not a locker room on Earth that you’ll find where everyone in it, every single person, they all respect AJ Styles. Last week, I went on to say you are the modern day Excellence of Execution. I respect the roads that you have traveled down to get here, the parallel paths that perhaps you and I have.
“Mutual respect, much respect. But that respect goes by the wayside at Backlash. I can feel it in your words to a degree. You’ve been here before. And it seems you’re implying that I cannot carry the weight of that championship. Well, good thing the man who trained me not far from where I sit now used to tell me all the time, it’s not about winning the title, it’s about keeping it.” The fans cheer that. Cody says boy does he respect Styles’ familiarity with Cody’s last name. But when you put C O D Y in front of it on this paper, that means they’ve never touched before. That means Backlash is a level playing field.
That means no matter how Phenomenal Styles is, this isn’t a dream match for Cody. It’s a must-win! Cody signs while the fans cheer, and it is official! Cody even throws the pen to the crowd as a free souvenir. Cody then offers a handshake, and Styles says y’know what? It was a beautiful thing to see Cody #FInishTheStory and win the title. But it’s a shame that Cody’s title reign will end at Backlash. Styles still shakes Cody’s hand, and then walks away. Cody picks up the belt and holds it high, will he get to hold it high again in Lyon, France?
Triple H is here!
Just as Cody was on his way to the back, The Game makes his way out here! HHH raises Cody’s hand, then invites him over to the podium. HHH welcomes us to the first round of the 2024 WWE Draft. It is a night that changes the landscape of the WWE going into the future, and things are a bit different this year. As the GMs ponder their next steps, they have to understand it is about protecting the roster they have as it is making the roster they want. Meaning that when they use their picks, they have just as much of a chance gaining a superstar as they do losing one they already have.
HHH just felt that since champs are protected and Cody will be staying here on SmackDown, maybe Cody could help read the SmackDown picks and HHH can read the Raw picks. And since SmackDown goes first, Cody reads first. Cody takes the card to say that with the first pick of the 2024 WWE Draft, SmackDown selects… The E S T, Bianca Belair! The stongEST, fastEST, roughEST, toughEST stays on Friday nights! HHH reads that for the second pick of the 2024 WWE Draft, Raw selects… YEET! JEY USO! Monday nights will still have Main Event Jey Uso! And the fans “YEET!” Cody says for the third pick, SmackDown selects… NXT’s Carmelo Hayes!
The fans fire up as SmackDown manages to snag… HIM! The former NXT Champion makes history again by being the first NXT superstar to be chosen this high in the Draft! HHH says that’s a hell of a pick. But then the fourth and final pick of this first round, Raw selects… SETH! FREAKIN’! ROLLINS! It is still going to be Monday Night Rollins as the Visionary stays on the red brand! Cody and HHH shake hands, and then Melo makes his way out! Melo has the mic to say when they talk about who’s next up, about who’s the hottest out, they don’t call them “the hottest out,” they just call him “Carmelo Hayes.”
The fans chant “WHOOP DAT TRICK!” to remind Melo how he’s leaving NXT. Melo says okay, okay. But then to Cody Rhodes, ever since Cody won the title, he’s been talking about “If you aim for the king, you best not miss.” Well, funny how that works. Because when Melo shoots, Melo don’t miss. And as a first round draft pick, what better way to shoot his shot on SmackDown than to shoot it right at Cody? Melo leaves the mic with Cody but Cody picks it up to say, “Fortune certainly favors the bold, but I dunno. You folks don’t wanna see me in action tonight, do ya?” The fans go wild! Oh, but what if Cody forgot his gear?
Oh that’s right! He didn’t forget his gear! And this title right here, for Cody, means absolutely 100%, Melo’s on! They shake on it, and we’re about to see a huge first-time-ever showdown! But will this bold first move work out for… HIM?
Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee w/ Zelina Vega & Carlito VS Angel Garza & Humberto Carrillo!
The LWO is still not convinced Legado Del Fantasma had nothing to do with the beating that took the Boy Wonder out ahead of WrestleMania. Will the King of Lucha help get to the bottom of things? Or will Angel & “Berto” make it as easy as ABC, 1-2-3?
The teams sort out, Dragon runs up on Humberto but Humberto LARIATS him down! Humberto drags Dragon up, tears the shirt away and CHOPS! Humberto whips, Dragon ducks ‘n’ dodges to RANA! Humberto tumbles out, Dragon builds speed and FLIES! Direct hit and down goes Humberto! The fans fire up as Dragon pushes Humberto into the ring, goes up a corner, and then CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! Dragon facelocks to drag Humberto up, but Humberto wrenches out to CLUB Dragon down. Humberto waistlocks but Dragon throws elbows. Angel tags in as Humberto shoves Dragon. Dragon ducks but Angel holds ropes open, and Dragon tumbles to the floor!
The fans boo and LWO hurries to check on Dragon! Angel & Humberto just soak up the heat as SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and both Dragon and Humberto are down! They crawl, hot tags to Angel and Rey! The fans fire up as Rey ducks ‘n’ dodges and tilt-o-whirl RANAS! Angel ends up in a corner, he puts Rey on the apron, but Rey ROCKS Angel! Rey goes up to SEATED SENTON! Rey keeps moving, wrenches and kicks, then hops on! CODE RED! Cover, Humberto breaks it! The fans boo but Humberto hauls Rey up. Rey fights and RANAS Humberto up and out! But Angelo kicks, scoops, but Rey slips free! Angelo kicks low, reels REy in, and underhooks, but Rey fights those to RANA Angel onto ropes! Rey dials it up to 619!
Tag to Dragon and he takes aim! Angel stands, into the tilt-o-whirl, PROJECT DRAGON!! Cover, LWO wins!
Winners: Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee, by pinfall
Carlito and Zelina hug it out with the team, but then Santos Escobar & Elektra Lopez walk out here. Santos says whoa, whoa, whoa, hold that celebration. Because Santos is many things, but a liar is not one of them. And when Santos said he did NOT attack Dragon that night before Mania, he meant it. Elektra has been working for weeks to track down the security footage from that night. And Rey… Oh, Rey. What you’re about to see, you will find very, very interesting. The footage plays, and it was CARLITO!! Carlito throw Dragon around backstage! No one can believe it, because of how well Carlito fooled even Dragno.
Speaking of, Carlito RAMS Dragon into Rey, then hits a BACKSTABBER! Never has that move’s name been more fitting! Carlito runs away in a panic, and Rey stands back up in a rage! Santos says he told Rey that he was right all along. They were supposed to be family, and yet look how that turned out. How will the LWO recover from this shocking development?
Bron Breakker VS Cedric Alexander!
The Big Bad Booty Nephew has been making a case for himself ever since showing up on SmackDown, and he’s already bringing the straps down! Is he going to break PRIMED Alexander while also breaking match time records? Or will Cedric prove he’s too fly for Bron?
The bell rings and Cedric dodges Bron to CHOP and ROCK! Cedric whips, Bron reverses and Cedric handsprings, into a SPEAR!! Cover, Bron wins!
Winner: Bron Breakker, by pinfall
Well, hard to say if that’s an all-time fast match, but that was a fast match! QR Code stuff going on, but will we all see Bron take the world by storm?
Nick Aldis heads out.
And waiting is Tiffany Stratton. She asks if he saw what she did last week. Wait, of course he did. Because she is the Center of the Universe. She dropped Naomi and Bayley, where is her title match? Aldis tells Tiff to look at his watch. It is NOT set to #TiffyTime. And he was this close to sending her to the back of the line. But then someone convinced him otherwise, good for her. Tonight, she goes 1v1 with Naomi again, and the winner faces Bayley for the title at Backlash. Whose stupid idea was that?! Bayley says DING DONG, it was hers. It is a win-win situation here. If Naomi wins, she gets the match she got cheated out of.
And if Tiff wins, then she’ll find out when she attacks the Role Model. Tiff gasps as she has a #TiffanyEpiphany. Bayley should be ringside for that match so she can see Tiff do what Bayley couldn’t, and that’s beat Naomi. Tootles. Tiff leaves, but will the only thing she gets is to #FeelTheGlow?
Michelle McCool and Torrie Wilson are here!
One is a former WWE Women’s Champion, the other is a WWE Hall of Famer, but they’re both here to present Draft picks! Michelle says with the first pick of the second round, SmackDown selects… The Viper, Randy Orton! SmackDown will still have to watch out for an RKO outta nowhere! Torrie says that with the second pick of the second round, Raw selects… BRON BREAKKER! We just saw Bron make quick work of opponents here on SmackDown, but now he’s gonna be rampaging on Raw!
Michelle says that with the third pick of the second round, SmackDown selects… NIA JAX! The Irresistible Force may have to change targets from the Women’s World to the Undisputed Women’s title, but will she be unstoppable all the same? And with the fourth and final pick of this round, Raw selects… LIV MORGAN! The Revenge Tour will still be part of Monday nights, will we watch Liv rise to the top?
The Bloodline arrives backstage.
Paul Heyman is there to greet them and open the door to the SUV. He apologizes for not being faster about that, but Solo Sikoa asks The Bloodline if they’ve been drafted. Not yet. Then give Solo the details. Okay, well, Roman Reigns withdrew right before the show began, and then Solo keeps adding members, so no one really knows what they’re getting if they draft The Bloodline! Solo sighs, and here comes Tama Tonga. Heyman asks they be patient but Solo wants Heyman to repeat that for him. Heyman gets scared, but then KEVIN OWENS jumps in! Kevin fires off on Tama, security and refs rush in to stop it!
The Prizefighter wants Solo’s “MFT” to bring the fight like he did last week! Security still drags Kevin away, but will he get that fight he wants?
Kayla Braxton is on stage.
SmackDown returns and Kayla welcomes us back to the show. And please welcome out the first overall pick, Bianca Belair! The fans fire up as The EST walks out on stage, and Kayla congratulates her on being the first overall pick. But let’s talk Backlash. Breaking news, Bianca and Jade Cargill are going to challenge for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships, against the Kabuki Warriors. How satisfying would it be to dethrone them on the stage of this magnitude? Bianca says so satisfying. She really hopes Jade gets drafted to SmackDown because given all this history with Damage CTRL, all the partners by her side, Bianca has never been the one to finally end it with them.
For everything they’ve done to her and this division, Bianca feels Jade is the perfect woman to help her end this. Now, DMG CTRL is falling apart piece by piece, and that final piece is the tag titles. So once Bianca & Jade take the gold at Backlash, the Kabuki Warriors won’t even have a reason to come back to SmackDown. But wait, they’re here now! Asuka & Kairi walk out here and Kayla moves aside. The Empress of Tomorrow and the Pirate Princess taunt the EST, but here comes The Storm! Jade makes her way to stand right by Bianca’s side. The four shout and argue, but this will be settled on May 4th!
WHOA! Tama and Kevin are brawling their way out here! The ladies move aside so the gentlemen can brawl all the way down to ringside! Tama hits low, gets in the ring, but Kevin pursues! Kevin TACKLES Tama, but Solo CLOBBERS Kevin! The fans boo as The Bloodline beats Kevin down! The refs hurry out here but clearly Solo’s Bloodline won’t listen! Tama DECKS producers, DECKS guards, HEADBUTTS them, throws hands and even THROWS the guards! Tama and Solo beat Kevin down again, but here comes Randy Orton! The Viper is still on SmackDown and he’s still pals with Kevin, so here he comes!
Orton DECKS Tama, fires hands on Solo, then RK- NO, Solo gets free and gets away! Orton wants to pursue, almost runs Jamie Noble and refs over to do it, but the Bloodline has gotten away! The fans cheer Randy on, and KAevin even hugs him! But then Kevin and Randy try to give chase! Security stops this, when and where will we see #RKKO strike down Solo and Tama?
The Dudley Boyz are here!
The fans fire up as Bubba Ray & D-Von are both here for the next round of picks! Cincy chants for “E C DUB! E C DUB!” Bubba and D-Von look at the cards, it’s hard to read. So out come the glasses! Bubba says with the first pick of the third round of the 2024 WWE Draft, SmackDown selects… L A KNIGHT! YEAH!! The Mega Star stays on Fridays! D-Von says with the second pick of the third round, Raw selects… RICOCHET! Mondays still has the One and Only, is Ricochet going to bring that WWE Speed Championship home to Raw, too?
Bubba says with the third pick of the third round, SmackDown selects… THE BLOODLINE! That means Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga and Paul Heyman are staying right here on Friday nights. And D-Von says with the final pick of this round, Raw selects… SHEAMUS! The Celtic Warrior just got back, but he won’t have to worry about going anywhere else but Monday nights.
WWE Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Naomi VS Tiffany Stratton!
It’s time to run it back once again! The Glow got robbed by the Spoiled Rich Girl, but supposedly, it’s #TiffyTime. Will Naomi prove there’s no such time on the clock? Or will Bayley be the one feeling the Backlash over giving Tiffany one more chance?
The bell rings and Naomi hits a THESZ PRESS! Naomi rains down fists, Tiffy shoves her away and goes to ropes, but Naomi gets up in Tiff’s face. Naomi whips, Tiff holds ropes to bail out and fans boo. Naomi scowls, runs in and WRECKS Tiff with a dropkick! Naomi then gets Tiff up, SMACKS her off the apron, and then SMACKS her off it again! And again! Naomi puts Tiff in, goes up a corner, but Tiff gets under the jump! Naomi runs back up but Tiff YANKS her into ropes! Tiff runs to HIP ATTACK! Naomi sputters, Tiff scowls and drags Naomi up, to then put through ropes. But Naomi RAMS into Tiff!
Naomi reels Tiff in, for a HEATSEEKER! Tiff flops to the floor, and then Naomi SPLIT LEG DROPS! Naomi says it’s #NaomiTime, but SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Naomi runs, but into a SPINEBUSTER! High stack, TWO! Naomi survives and Tiff is frustrated but the fans rally up. Tiff drags Naomi up, whips her to a corner, but Naomi goes up and sunset flips! TWO! Tiff escapes, knees Naomi low, then whips. Naomi slides under the lariat to then mule kick! Then she headscissor SPIKES Tiff down! Cover, TWO! Tiff survives but barely, and Naomi keeps her cool. Naomi headlocks, but Tiff shoves her into buckles! Tiff runs, but Naomi follows, DOUBLE RUNNING FACEBUSTERS take them both down! The fans fire up as the two rise!
Naomi KICKS, ROCKS and ROCKS Tiff again! Naomi fires shots again and again but Tiff knees low! Tiff reels Naomi in, but Naomi wrenches out to ENZIGIRI! And then BUCKLE BULLDOG! But then NIA JAX attacks Bayley!? Nia SMACKS Bayley off buckles, rains down fists, and this momentarily distracts Naomi. Naomi refocuses, but by now, Tiff’s slipped away! Nia KICKS Bayley in the side, so Naomi goes out to ROCK her! Nia POSTS Naomi and that throws the match out!
No Contest
The fans boo as Nia ruins the fun, then runs Bayley over! Nia smiles as she blows kisses to Cincy. Tiff smiles, she drags Naomi up and puts her in the ring. Then she drags Bayley in! Tiff wants a repeat of last week as she puts them side by side in the drop zone! Tiff then goes up and up for the PRETTIEST MOONSAULT EVER!! Tiff says it’s her time, but the #1 contendership is still in question. Who gets their shot at the Role Model at Backlash?
B-Fab and the Street Profits meet up backstage.
Angelo Dawkins has a “WHO-DEY” sign, but Montez Ford is wondering where Bobby Lashley is right now. B-Fab says calm down, he’ll be here. Byron Saxton walks over and apologizes for interrupting. He doesn’t know what the Draft destination for this group will be until Monday Night Raw, but we do know that The Profits will challenge A-Town Down Under for the WWE Tag Team Championships. YESSIIIIIIR~! B-Fab says it doesn’t matter where they get drafted. The Profits are going to take down A-Town Down Under and take those titles. Then they’ll have their first class tickets right back to SmackDown.
SmackDown? Did someone say SmackDown~? In walk Austin Theory & Grayson Waller, showing off the titles. And Theory says you can’t have SmackDown without the GREATEST undefeated tag team of all time. And sorry, Dawkins, but these are championships, something the Bengals know nothing about! B-Fab keeps Dawkins back, but then in steps Bobby Lashley! The All Mighty scares Theory & Waller right off, and Dawkins says see y’all next Friday! Will there be nothing keeping these Profits down the night before Backlash?
The Final Testament speaks.
Karrion Kross says good evening. What’s going on here? You guessed it! More random acts of violence! Just follow him. Kross & Scarlett lead the way to show The Authors of Pain beating down New Catch Republic! Rezar beats down Pete Dunne while Akam victimizes Tyler Bate! Paul Ellering says they will know about sacrifice! Kross says whether they get drafted to Raw or stay on SmackDown, the violence will continue until they get what they want! So sayeth The Final Testament!!
Teddy Long and JBL are here!
The Hall of Famer General Manager and the Hall of Famer WWE Champion are both here, ready to give us the fourth and final round of picks tonight! Teddy gets right to it! The first pick of the fourth round, SmackDown selects… AJ STYLES! The Phenomenal One is really an obvious choice, because one way or another, the WWE Championship stays with SmackDown! JBL says the second pick of the fourth round, Raw selects… THE ALPHA ACADEMY! Raw keeps Chad Gable, Otis, Maxxine Dupri & Akira Tozawa, A THANK YEW~!
Teddy says with the third pick of this round, SmackDown selects… ANDRADE! A big move as now El Idolo will be part of Friday nights. And with the final pick of this fourth round, Raw selects… NXT’S Kiana James! The Calculator, the former NXT Women’s Tag Team Champion, has the Raw hat to put on, and after a quick hype package, Jackie Redmond is there to interview her. Kiana, congratulations! You are heading to Monday Night Raw! How much does this mean to her? This means the world to her. She is filled with gratitude, but also knows every decision she has made up to this point has been by design to get her here.
Kiana is so proud of her time in NXT, but she’s ready to show Raw why she is the One Percent. Was she surprised? Of course she was! HBK is here to wish her luck and congratulations. Is Kiana going to start the hostile takeover of the Raw Women’s Division?
Backstage interview with Nick Aldis.
Kayla is with the SmackDown GM and says that with night one in the books, how does he feel about SmackDown’s selections? He feels really good about them. SmackDown’s future is bright, he can’t wait for the new recruits to show up and show out for the blue brand. But he also wants to turn attentions to Backlash, because he’s got some new matches to announce! The first PLE in France, this is exciting stuff, Kayla. Aldis says that the WWE Women’s Championship will now be on the line in a Triple Threat! Bayley VS Naomi VS Tiffany Stratton! Will the odds make it that much harder for the Role Model to succeed?
There’s one more match to announce, but Aldis will let the GM GOAT take it from here. Teddy Long steps in, and don’t forget. We’ll talk about this tag team match. The Bloodline VS Kevin Owens & Randy Orton! Holla, players. Solo & Tama will have to face The Viper and the Prizefighter, will #RKKO strike fast and strike hard?
Cody Rhodes VS Carmelo Hayes!
The American Nightmare just put pen to paper for his match with the Phenomenal One, but he isn’t one to shy away from a challenge. The former NXT Champion is shooting his shot, but will this be nothing but net? Or will it be a frustrating airball?
The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, the fans rally for Cody as he puts Melo in a corner then arm-drags him away. Melo runs up, Cody headlocks, Melo powers out then drops. Melo hurdles, but Cody kicks low to RHODES UPPERCUT! Melo staggers to ropes, the fans fire up, but then melo throat chops and springboard FLYING LARIATS! Melo says that’s why he’s a first round pick! But then Cody CLOBBERS him! Cody asks if Melo’s ready for this, and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns once again and Cody has a headlock. Cody hits a takeover, Melo flails and kicks around, but Cody grinds him down. Melo pushes with his forearm, then headscissors, but Cody kips free. Melo CHOPS, the fans “WOO~!” but Cody brushes himself off. Melo pie faces Cody! Cody fires forearms on Melo, then whips, but Melo reverses. Melo ELBOWS Cody, then runs up to KICK him in the side! Melo fires forearms and CHOPS in a corner, then throws body shots. Melo digs his boot in, the ref counts, and Cody goes to another corner. Cody eggs Melo on, Melo storms up, but Cody puts him in the corner to CHOP!
Cody swings, Melo dodges and CHOPS! Cody turns things around to CHOP! The fans rally, Cody whips corner to corner, then he back drops Melo away! Melo staggers up, Cody runs, and he rallies on Melo with forearms! Cody goes up and over in a corner but Melo tilt-o-whirls, LA MYSTICA! Melo springboards, FADE AWAY! Cover, TWO! Cody survives that flying DDT, but we see the NXT roster all fired up watching Melo take it to the champ. Melo sits Cody up, drags him into a facelock, but the fans rally for Cody. Cody fireman’s carries but Melo slips free to dragon sleeper! Melo grins, but Cody cradles! TWO!!
Melo swings, Cody boots, then Cody springboards to BEAUTIFUL DISASTER! Melo flips inside-out, Cody covers, TWO! Melo is still in this and he snarls up at Cody. Melo gives a forearm, Cody gives it back, and the fans rally up. Cody scoops Melo, storms around, and then hits a RUNNING POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Melo survives and Cody grows frustrated. Cody pounds the mat, the fans rally up, and then Cody goes to ropes. Cody springboards again, CODY CUTTER! Cover, TWO!! Melo survives yet again, proving why he’s a former NXT Champion, on top of NXT North American Champion! But then Cody drags him up!
Cody back suplexes, Melo lands out of it, then FIRST 48! Doe goes Cody and Melo goes up! Melo is setting up for the game winner! NOTHING BUT- NO, Cody avoids the flying leg drop! Melo rolls through, Cody dodges to SUPERKICK! Cody brings Melo around, but Melo gets free! They both run, both springboard, but completely miss each other, and Cody takes a rough landing! Melo drags Cody up, reels him in, but Cody wrenches out to dragon sleeper! CROSS RHODES!! Cody shakes out the bad arm but still makes the cover, and Cody wins!
Winner: Cody Rhodes, by pinfall
Melo took his shot but it was blocked! Even so, Cody sits Melo up to show him respect and tell him he’s still the future. But did this match end up more of a trap game for Cody after that crash landing? Or will he be alright in time for Backlash and his phenomenal opponent?
Speaking of, Styles sneaks right into the ring! Cody sees him in time and Styles stays back. Cody and Styles stare down, but Styles says it was that close. Styles offers a handshake, and Cody takes it. There’s still respect here, for now. But will nothing stop Styles from turning Cody’s story into a tragedy after all?
My Thoughts:
A great SmackDown to open the WWE Draft but to also set up Backlash. To recap, SmackDown took Bianca, Melo, Orton, Nia, LA Knight, The Bloodline, Styles and Andrade while Raw took Jey, Rollins, Bron, Liv, Ricochet, Sheamus, The Alpha Academy, and Kiana. Many of those choices made sense, as picks won’t be wasted on keeping champions on brands, and just need to be used to keep most stories alive and change up a few others. Kiana is perhaps one of the more surprising moves, but well-deserved. She has been a solid character and solid in-ring performer almost from the start, she’s a solid addition to Raw.
Bron of course demolished his opponent tonight, it’s just a shame it was Cedric and not local enhancement talent. But Bron will also be a good addition to Raw, but maybe he can move past his squash match phase and get right to story. Melo being a first round pick was great stuff, and he had a great promo with Cody to give us tonight’s main event. That double springboard whiff was definitely a timing problem, but at the same time, a Fade Away countered into a Cody Cutter would’ve been way too epic just for TV. Cody with a great win, and we got a really good contract signing segment, but you can bet Cody retains.
Really good tag match from LWO VS Legado but naturally Rey & Dragon won. I knew it was only a matter of time before Carlito was outed, and how he handled being exposed was pretty good. And with Andrade being drafted to SmackDown, you just know that means Andrade joins the LWO. The Final Testament attacking New Catch Republic was a wild moment, I almost thought Ellering was going to use the pliers in his hands to grab at fingers. Maybe we get that next week for SmackDown in France. Good promos from A-Town Down Under and the still technically unnamed faction of Bobby Lashley’s. As great as The Profits are, it feels like Theory & Waller will cheat to retain.
Really good promo with Tiff and Bayley to set up Naomi VS Tiff round 3, but I did not think Nia Jax would disrupt all that. A Triple Threat at Backlash is good stuff, it will protect Bayley if she loses, but can also protect Naomi and Tiff if Bayley uses them against each other to win. Good promo from Bianca that then turned into the shouting match of Bianca & Jade with Kabuki Warriors. Their tag title match is official, and I’m pretty sure Bianca & Jade win. I also liked that this segment ended up having Kevin and Tama brawl right through it. Orton saving Kevin was a great move, RKKO VS Solo & Tama is going to be awesome stuff, I can’t wait to see it.
My Score: 8.8/10
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Coverage
Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 4.25.2024
We just got done with Rebellion, and Under Siege is two weeks away! Gotta see how these dots connect!
Rebellion had quite a few returns, Mike Santana, Sami Callihan and Broken Matt Hardy. All three of these guys could easily be main event players, and its nice to mix up and expand what felt like a rather small pool of potential challengers.
Under Siege is only like 2 weeks out, so we’ll see how the dots connect in such a short period of time.
.@AJFrancis410, Rich Swann, and rap legend @BunBTrillOG are IN THE HOUSE Meanwhile, @joehendry announces he will deliver an apology to Fir$t Cla$$ NEXT WEEK on #TNAiMPACT! pic.twitter.com/4GNe2xWfyU
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024
Ratings:
- Mike Santana vs Myron Reed w/Trey Miguel & Zachary Wentz: Santana wins via Spin the Block – ** 1/2
- #1 Contender: Frankie Kazarian vs Josh Alexander: Josh wins via Grapevine Ankle Lock – ***
- ASH by Elegance vs Xia Brookside: Xia wins via School Girl Roll-Up – ** 3/4
- Sami Callihan vs The Good Hands: Sami Callihan wins via Cactus Driver ’97 – SQUASH
- Eddie Edwards w/Alisha Edwards & Brian Myers vs Nic Nemeth: Eddie wins via Boston Knee Party – *** 1/4
Results:
Did @NicTNemeth say BROKEN? @MATTHARDYBRAND has arrived in the iMPACT Zone! #TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/HbkUangt6e
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024
A weird opening that is just framed to put Nemeth and Hardy together against The System. Feels a little awkward, but who knows how it will play out.
.@JordynneGrace vs @miyu_tjp NEXT WEEK on #TNAiMPACT will now be for the Knockouts World Championship! pic.twitter.com/YnKZjb9yjx
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024
Mike Santana vs Myron Reed w/Trey Miguel & Zachary Wentz
Ahh I didn’t really pay attention to Santana’s theme at Rebellion, but its pretty damn cool. Good stuff.
Rascalz blindside Santana early, but the heel advantage doesn’t last more than a few moves. Santana whips Myron from corner to corner, hits a few Hip Attacks before Myron finally dodges one and starts using his unique offense and agility to his advantage. Matrix dodge, into an Leaping Outside Back in Slingshot Codebreaker. Some more offense and Santana powders to the ramp, Myron jumps over the rope and tries a Flying Cutter, but Santana blocks it, turns things around, gets pushed forward and hits the Rolling Cutter. Santana takes out the Rascalz, heads back into the ring, Myron tries to catch him unawares but eats the Spin the Block off the rope run! Santana wins fairly quickly.
Maclin’s music hits, he tries to employ the help of The Rascalz to attack Santana, but as soon as Maclin positions himself to get in, The Rascalz bail and flip off Maclin. Maclin makes it out of the confrontation relatively unscathed, but at least we know where he’s going for Under Siege probably.
OH FUCK ME WITH RUSTY KNIVES. Because Cardona is hurt Kon is paired with SDL, and she just challenges Jordynne and PCO to a tag match. WHY!? STOP IT. This is hot garbage.
Josh Alexander comes out…I wonder who’s Super Finisher he’s gonna conveniently kick out this time? Brian Myers? Frankie Kazarian? Rich Swann? Because yes, I’m still annoyed that Hammerstone has been in TNA for half a sandwich, he already connects with a Super version of his finish on tacks, and that’s not a finish. Oh Kaz’s music hits. Okay, so time for Josh to kick out of Fade to Black or Flux Capacitor. Kaz talks smack, says he won his match too so he should have a say in who’s number one contender. Josh challenges him, Kaz says not right now, but a referee runs out and says the match is official.
#1 Contender: Frankie Kazarian vs Josh Alexander
Kaz throws his jacket on Josh’s head, and attacks him with some strikes before Josh fights back and throws Kaz out. Commercial break, we see Kaz misses his Apron Guillotine, Josh goes for the Low Crossbody but Kaz dodges and Josh goes flying. Kaz starts throwing some chops and claws at the cauliflowered ears of Josh. Russian Leg Sweep from Kaz for a near fall. Josh swings wildly and Kaz ducks the strike and levels Josh with a Lariat.
Josh blocks a Vertical Suplex attempt, but Frankie pulls off a Fisherman’s Suplex after a few overhead strikes for a near fall. Josh stands up and connects with a straight right, rocks Kaz, Back Body Drop, into a Charging Forearm, Rolling Senton, 2 count! C4 Spike attempt countered into a Back Stabber and then Chicken Wing, but Josh fights it off, rolls through and into an Ankle Lock, Kaz kicks off and into a Head and Arm Cradle for a near fall and then the Guillotine Leg Drop into Slingshot DDT spot from Kaz for another 2 count!
Fade to Black, but its fought off, Big Boot but then Kaz counters the next move with a Power Slam into the Springboard Guillotine Leg Drop, but Josh grabs the Ankle Lock! Locomotion German Suplex time from Josh, Halfhatch Suplex after the Germans, floats over for a 2 count! C4 Spike attempt again, but Kaz fights it off, dumps him over the top rope, slingshots him in and into the Cutter for a near fall for Kaz! After the 2 Kaz grabs a chair and chain, the referee stops the chair of course, so he tries the chain, EY runs down and grabs the chain so Kaz pulls the Eddie Guerrero and the referee admonishes EY, but doesn’t DQ Josh. So as Kaz is busy laughing at EY, Josh picks the ankle, Ankle Lock with the Grapevine, Kaz taps.
Tensions are sky-high between @alexhammerstone and @JakeSomething_! #TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/LLCUJOCy7H
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024
ASH by Elegance vs Xia Brookside
Both are jawing at each other and then throw hands before Xia gets the upper hand with a Headscissors from the Top Turnbuckle, Charging Knees, a Flurry of Kicks, but when the ref forces some space in the corner, ASH is finally able to dodge and work over Xia with her Twisting Body Splash, a few choking moves, a corner Stomp into a Snap Suplex for 2. ASH is in charge elegantly, but the referee keeps forcing space on both of them when they go for corner attacks. Xia manages to take advantage a little, but ASH regains control, kicks Xia up the ramp and then lands her Cartwheel Back Elbow up the ramp. It actually looks pretty cool executed like that.
Headlocks and Hair Pulling to keep Xia down and using energy to kick out. ASH is getting frustrated but Xia is remaining persistent. ASH goes back to the Headlock, but Xia fights up, Jawbreaker, Back Elbow, Kick to the gut and Drop Toe Hold sends ASH face first into the middle buckle. Xia rips off 4 Double Knee Smashes to the back of ASH’s head into her Flying Crossbody for a close 2! Xia pulls her up, but ASH spins out, then Xia slips it, but ASH kicks her in the chest and deposits her to the outside and demands a count from the referee. Iceman puts Jeweled Knuckles/Rings on ASH’s hand, the referee catches her, removes the stuff from her fingers and Xia hits the School Girl Roll-Up for the flash win.
Fraud has thrown the Ballot Box Battle into chaos, but also paved the way for an explosive showdown between @TheTreyMiguel and @The_Ace_Austin NEXT WEEK to determine the #1 Contender for the X Division Championship! #TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/lYHrtgNrc3
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024
Sami Callihan vs The Good Hands
So the Good Hand Jobs are about to do their job to Sami. I’m just gonna assume Sami beats the hell out of both and wins with a Cactus Driver ’97. If anything interesting happens I might actually cover it, but come on now.
.@SteveMaclin has a proposition for @FrankieKazarian#TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/XY6lMdmSWo
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024
Kaz makes a Metallica reference with the “Wash Your Back So You Won’t Stab Mine”…and Sweet Amber is the only good song on St. Anger. So…I ain’t mad.
Eddie Edwards w/Alisha Edwards & Brian Myers vs Nic Nemeth
A little early ground wrestling and headlocks for control from both men. Nothing super flashy to start until we get to the rope run and Nemeth goes for the Flying Body Press to drop Eddie. Before Nemeth can follow up, Lish grabs his foot. Nic does have his brother Ryan in the crowd, trying to get chants going and do the old school ‘power up the babyface’ thing, but Eddie has been in control since Lish got involved. Simple offense, chokes, strikes, Snap Suplexes, Knee Drops, simple yet effective. But then Eddie ducks his head too early, Nemeth kicks him in the face, bounces his head off the buckles a few times, Dropkick sends Eddie reeling to the corner, Nemeth starts the 10 Count Punches but Myers hits the apron to distract and Eddie manages to slip the situation and push Nemeth to the floor.
Commercial break happens, Nemeth is trying to fight back with Chops, but a Kitchen Sink from Eddie puts Nemeth on the floor again! Clubbing blow from Eddie, but Eddie then misses the Hip Attack in the corner and Nemeth counters with the Rude Awakening into the 10 Count Rain of Elbows. Fame Ass-er miss, Eddie tries something but Nemeth turns it into that hesitation DDT for 2! Tuning up the band starts to build and Eddie powders to avoid it. Nemeth throws Eddie back in, goes to the top, but Eddie crotches him, rises up and hits the Superplex into Tiger Driver for 2! Eddie starts mocking with Tuning Up the band but Nemeth hits his own Superkick into an Olympic Slam for 2!
Both men just trade strikes Fighting Spirit style, Eddie says “Always Trust the System” and Nemeth shuts him up with a Headbutt. Danger Zone is blocked, Boston Knee Party gets ducked, they level each other with Lariats! Myers and Ryan Nemeth start fighting to distract the referee, Moose hits the ring and hits Nemeth with the belt. Eddie lands Boston Knee Party and The System wins again!
Overall Score: 6/10
A lame opening segment, a squash match, ASH by Elegance getting her first loss, and a weird way of just pulling the number one contender out of mid air makes for an awkward show. Also Kon still be involved in, literally anything, is negative. However, I can say there was a ton of stuff thrown at the wall this episode, so there’s a chance that some things landed better with other people than myself. The ballot segments were amusing, they overused the “I need to talk to you Santino” gimmick a bit much and personally I feel like having Jake versus Hammerstone is booking yourself into a weird corner.
But hey, the main event was fun, Nemeth getting laid out to the point that there could be a story reason to take him out of the Under Siege match. Kaz with the Metallica reference was pop worthy and I guess its a lot of ‘let’s see where it goes’ kind of angle creation. So it wasn’t complete trash, but its definitely a wait and see episode.
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