Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW Best of the Super Juniors Results & Report! (5/29/22)
BOSJ, round eight!
Will round eight seal someone’s fate?
NJPW Best of the Super Juniors 29 is so close to the end, we can almost taste it! But who will taste sweet victory? And who is served bitter defeat?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Best of the Super Juniors 29 B Block: Master Wato VS EL LINDAMAN; Wato wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 29 B Block: Titan VS DOUKI; Titan wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 29 A Block: YOH VS Alex Zayne; Yoh wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 29 B Block: BUSHI VS TJP; TJP wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 29 A Block: Clark Connors VS Hiromu Takahashi; Hiromu wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 29 A Block: Ryusuke Taguchi VS Ace Austin; Austin wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 29 B Block: Wheeler Yuta VS El Phantasmo; ELP wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 29 A Block: Yoshinobu Kanemaru VS SHO; Kanemaru wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 29 A Block: Francesco Akira VS Taiji Ishimori; wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 29 B Block: Robbie Eagles VS El Desperado; Eagles wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Here are the current standings in A Block!
Ace Austin: 5-2, 10 points
Taiji Ishimori: 5-2, 10 points
SHO: 4-3, 8 points
Hiromu Takahashi: 4-3, 8 points
Alex Zayne: 4-3, 8 points
YOH: 3-4, 6 points
Clark Connors: 3-4, 6 points
Francesco Akira: 3-4, 6 points
Yoshinobu Kanemaru: 2-5, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
Ryusuke Taguchi: 2-5, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
Here are the current standings for B Block!
El Desperado: 5-2, 10 points
El Phantasmo: 5-2, 10 points
Robbie Eagles: 4-3, 8 points
El Lindaman: 4-3, 8 points
Wheeler Yuta: 4-3, 8 points
TJP: 3-4, 6 points
Douki: 3-4, 6 points
Bushi: 3-4, 6 points
Master Wato: 2-5, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
Titan: 2-5, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
Best of the Super Juniors 29 B Block: Master Wato VS EL LINDAMAN!
The Way of the Grandmaster may not have a way into the finals, but he can spoil another’s chances! Will he do that to the G-Rex Champion? Or will this be a GLEAT rebound for Lindaman?
The bell rings and fans rally up for “LIN-DA-MAN! LIN-DA-MAN!” Lindaman fires up and he circles with Wato. They tie up, Wato trips Lindaman then things speed up. Lindaman hurdles, Wato leaps, but things keep moving. Wato hurdles, back elbows, uppercuts, but Lindaman catches the jump! Wato fights free, suplexes, but Lindaman slips out and rolls back to a corner. Wato runs in but is put on the apron. Wato ENZIGURIS then springboards, FLYING UPPERCUT! Fans fire up with Wato and he stomps Lindaman down. Fans rally up, Wato kicks Lindaman to ropes. Wato backs off as the ref reprimands, and he blocks Lindaman’s boot!
Wato ROCKS Lindaman, runs but is thrown out! Lindaman fires up, fans fire up with him, and he FLIES! Direct hit and down goes Wato! Fans fire up for “LIN-DA-MAN!” and the ring count begins. Lindaman steadies himself, catches his breath and makes sure his neck is good. Lindaman brings Wato up at 13 of 20 to put in at 15. Cover, TWO! Lindaman looms over Wato, fans rally up and Lindaman whips corner to corner. Lindaman runs in to back elbow! Leg sweep and Lindaman digs his boot in. The ref counts, Lindaman counts along and lets off at 4. Wato pushes Lindaman and throws forearms!
Lindaman hits Wato back and they go back and forth. Fans rally as they forearms fly faster and faster! Lindaman gets the edge, ROCKS Wato, then dodges him to kick the legs out and basement dropkick from behind! Fans fire up and Lindaman runs, but Wato scoops him to a BACKBREAKER! Fans rally and Wato gets to ropes. Wato waits for Lindaman to stand, then knocks him down! Wato BOOTS, whips, and dropkicks Lindaman back down! Fans rally, Wato hurries to a corner and climbs up! Lindaman stands, he gets under the jump and comes back to uppercut! And ROLLING ELBOW! But Wato ROUNDHOUSES!
Wato runs, but Lindaman reels him in to SAIDO! Fans fire up while both men are down! Lindaman grits his teeth as he gets up and fans fire up with him! Lindaman brings Wato up to wrench into the KUMA- NO! Wato fights that but Lindaman throws elbows. Lindaman rams Wato into buckles, then victory rolls, TWO! Wato has it now, TWO! Lindaman again, TWO! Both men get up, Wato tilt-o-whirls into a roll-up and jackknife! TWO! Lindaman sunsets, TWO! Fans fire up, Wato SOBATS, KICKS and SUPER- NO! Lindaman blocks and throws the foot down, but Wato SUPERKICKS again! Fans fire up as Wato reels Lindaman in, but Lindaman makes it a press! TWO!
Lindaman shoots in, waistlocks, but Wato fights the German! Lindaman fights the victory roll! Lindman lifts but Wato throws elbows! Fans rally, Wato wrenches out and reels Lindaman in, MOUSE TRAP DRIVER! TWO!! Lindaman escapes but Wato hurries to scoop, TTD!! Wato hurries up top and R P P!! Cover, Wato wins!!
Winner: Master Wato, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Lindaman earns 0)
The G-Rex falls again! Is his run done? Or can he pull out one last win in the ninth?
Best of the Super Juniors 29 B Block: Titan VS DOUKI!
The Immortal is out of the running, but he still has life to fight. Will he ruin Japones Del Mal’s chances in the block? Or will Douki finally stop being the underdog?
Titan hops off the corner, and Douki attacks! Douki stomps Titan, the bell rings, and Douki whips Titan to ropes. Titan reverses but Douki stops himself. Douki puts Titan on the apron but titan ROCKS Douki, then springboards to FLYING RANA! Douki bails out the other side, Titan builds speed, but Douki gets away. So Titan jumps up and over, only for Douki to trip him off the apron! Fans fire up and Douki gets back in the ring. The ref checks on Titan and fans rally up. The ring count starts, Titan sits up at 3 of 20, and Douki builds speed to DIVE! Direct hit and fans fire up! Douki gets Titan up as the ring count starts again.
Douki POSTS Titan, then stalks him around the way. Douki puts Titan in at 9, and then drags him up to whip. Douki elbows Titan down, covers, TWO! Fans rally and Douki wraps Titan up in a seated cobra twist! Titan endures but Douki grinds the hold. Douki makes it a cobra cradle, ONE! Douki stomps Titan, drags him back up, and fans rally more. Douki hooks Titan up but Titan resists the Gory Especial! Douki spins Titan around to knee low, then run. Titan goes Matrix to dodge, and then CALF KICKS! And SHOTGUN dropkicks! Titan builds speed now but stops as Douki gets away. Titan mule kicks Douki from the apron! TOP ROPE QUEBRADA! Direct hit!
Fans fire up again and Titan brings Douki up. Titan puts Douki in the ring, wrenches and fireman’s carries, DEATH VALLEY BOMB! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up and Titan brings Douki up to KICK, wrench and fireman’s carry! But Douki slips off, boots Titan to a corner, then runs in, to block Titan’s boot! Douki gets under Titan to get the Gory Especial! Titan fights free to arm-drag Douki away! SOBAT! Titan runs, but into a takedown! ITALIAN STRETCH #32! Titan scrambles, ROPEBREAK! Douki lets go at 4 and fans rally again. Douki drags Titan up, goes to the apron, and slingshots, but Titan blocks Daybreak!
Titan hangs Douki out to dry, then swings. Douki dodges, throws Titan down by his mask, but Titan kips up to PELE! Titan runs side to side to LARIAT Douki on the apron! Titan climbs up, APRON DOUBLE STOMPS!! Titan tumbles down but he may have just crushed Douki! Cover, TWO!! Douki survives and fans fire up! Titan hurries to the corner and goes back up. DIVING SPLASH into the ITALIAN STRETCH! Douki pulls way back, but Titan moves around! Douki rolls Titan away from ropes, ITALIAN STRETCH! Titan endures and Douki pulls harder as the fans rally. Titan keeps reaching, keeps crawling back, ROPEBREAK!
Fans fire up while Douki lets go in frustration. Fans rally, “DO-U-KI!” “TI-TA-NN!” Douki puts Titan in a drop zone, hurries up top, and DIVING STOMPS, but Titan moves! Titan ROCKS Douki with a right, but Douki ENZIGURIS! Douki runs, but Titan follows, TORNADO DDT!! Fans fire up again and off come the armbands! Titan hauls Douki up, reels him in, Canadian Rack and the SPINNING- NO! Douki slips off to Gory Especial, DOTON NO JUTSU! Backslide cover, TWO!! Titan survives and fans are thunderous! Douki gets up, fires up, wheelbarrows Titan, but Titan arm-drags free! And SUPERKICKS!
Douki flounders into the corner and Titan aims again. Fans fire up as Titan winds up and runs corner to corner, into a HELL STAB! Douki goes up the corner, but Titan leaps up after him! BULLDOG to the post!! Titan hurries to the apron and fans fire up, SPRINGBOARD DOUBLE STOMPS!! Cover, Titan wins!!
Winner: Titan, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Douki earns 0)
The CMLL World Welterweight Champion manages another victory! Will Douki still have to keep working towards that day when he’s the favorite?
Best of the Super Juniors 29 A Block: YOH VS Alex Zayne!
The Direct Drive is struggling to maintain his momentum, and his return to the finals is in jeopardy! Will Yoh be able to handle the heat? Or will The Sauce keep things spicy in the block?
The bell rings and fans rally up. Yoh and Zayne slowly circle, then approach. They tie up, Yoh wrenches and wristlocks. Zayne endures, rolls, handsprings and wrenches back to wristlock. Fans applaud the exchange, Zayne bites a finger! He just gets a taste as Yoh rolls, kips up and wrenches back. Yoh wrenches again, moves to a hammerlock, but Zayne reaches back to headlock. Zayne spins around to grind the hold, fans rally but Yoh throws body shots. Yoh powers out, Zayne runs him over, and fans fire up. Things speed up, Yoh avoids the knee drop and keeps things moving. Drop toehold and basement dropkick!
Fans rally and Zayne gets to a corner. Yoh storms over to bring Zayne up. Yoh CLUBS Zayne, throws a forearm, and has Zayne in the corner. Yoh CHOPS, fans rally more, and Yoh whips Zayne corner to corner. Zayne reverses, runs in, and back elbows! Zayne goes to the corner, sweeps the legs, then steps in to roll and run in, BIG CANNONBALL! Cover, TWO! Fans fire up and Zayne looms over Yoh. Zayne brings Yoh up, wrenches, snapmares, and KICKS Yoh’s back! Yoh writhes but Zayne brings him back up. Zayne suplexes but Yoh slips free! Yoh dropkicks a leg out! Fans fire up as Zayne goes to ropes and Yoh gets away to the apron.
Zayne runs in but Yoh ROCKS him! Zane ROCKS Yoh back! Zayne stands Yoh up to suplex, but Yoh blocks! Yoh throws body shots, fans rally up, and Yoh blocks Zayne’s boot to DRAPING DRAGON SCREW! Yoh then drags Zayne to the apron, APRON DRAGON SCREW! Fans fire up and Yoh gets back in the ring. Zayne stands up, Yoh PLANCHAS! Direct hit and down goes Zayne! Fans fire up with Yoh, and a ring count starts. Yoh takes a moment to steady himself and catch his breath. Yoh brings Zayne up at 10 of 20, and swing him around to put him in at 12. Yoh climbs up the corner to missile dropkick!
Yoh hurries to get Zayne up, suplex for the FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO! Fans fire up but Yoh’s a bit frustrated. Yoh drags Zayne up into a waistlock. GERMAN SUPLEX, but Zayne lands on his feet! Zayne fires off boxing elbows! Then the leg sweep, and Zayne runs to SOMERSAULT- Yoh dodges the scissor kick! GROUND DRAGON SCREW! Then SPINNING TOEHOLD! Then another SPINNING TOEHOLD! Yoh keeps on the leg but Zayne rolls him! EDDY GORDO! Fans fire up while Yoh gets to a corner. Zayne runs in to back elbow! Zayne then hoists Yoh up, CHOPS him, runs and DRAGON RANA! Cover, TWO!
Fans fire up and rally again, “AL-EX ZAYNE!” “Y O H!” Zayne looms over Yoh, drags him up, and he wraps Yoh up. Yoh fights off the Taco to fire off boxing elbows of his own! Yoh then kicks low, roars, but runs into a BOOT! Zayne’s bad leg slows him down but the fans are rallying up. Zayne drags Yoh up and wrenches to scoop, but Yoh turns Baja Blast into a takedown! KNEEBAR! Zayne endures, fans rally again, but Yoh twists the leg! Zayne drags himself forward, but Yoh drags him back. Yoh reels Zayne into a full nelson, Zayne breaks that, but Yoh waistlocks to GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!!
Fans fire up again as Zayne survives! Yoh roars in frustration and he drags Zayne up. Yoh underhooks but Zayne fights free! Yoh tries to put the hooks back in but Zayne has the wrists! HEADBUTT! And then another HEADBUTT! And a third HEADBUTT! POP-UP KNEE! “ITADAKIMASU~!” Zayne gets Yoh up, wraps him up, TACO- NO! Yoh lands out, spins Zayne around, but Zayne back drops free! Fans fire up, Zayne runs in, SUPERKICK! Yoh swings, but Zayne spins him, but Yoh catches the lariat to a DRAGON SUPLEX! Bridging cover, YOH WINS!
Winner: Yoh, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Zayne earns 0)
Direct Drive is still alive in the BOSJ! But can he keep it going until the last? As for Zayne, can he spice things back up? Or has the heat died down?
Best of the Super Juniors 29 B Block: BUSHI VS TJP!
The Black Mask and Public Enemy are both on the bubble, but someone’s bubble’s gotta burst! Who pops the other to stay afloat in the block?
TJP rushes Bushi while he’s on the corner! Bushi jumps over but TJP kicks him low. TJP whips, the bell rings, Bushi kicks TJP away. Bushi runs in, spins and arm-drags TJP out! Bushi then builds speed to DIVE! Direct hit and down goes TJP! Fans fire up with Bushi, he did that while still wearing his suit! Bushi finally gets his tie undone, then he stomps TJP. Bushi throws off the button shirt, stomps TJP, then takes off the tearaway pants. Bushi stomps TJP more, drags him up and into the ring. Fans fire up, Bushi turns TJP for a NECKBREAKER! Cover, ONE, but Bushi keeps cool. Fans rally, Bushi takes off his T-shirt and CHOKES TJP!
The ref reprimands but TJP arm-drags Bushi away. TJP trips Bushi, traps an arm and uses Bushi’s shirt to lasso the other! TJP YANKS the arm back! Bushi writhes and fans fire up! TJP throws Bushi’s shirt away, stands on the bad arm and stomps it! TJP drags Bushi up, brings him over to EuroUpper at ropes, then hammerlocks before the scoop SLAM! TJP then goes to the apron to slingshot senton back in! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up, “T J P!” “BU-SHI-I!” TJP whips, Bushi reverses but TJP goes Spider-Man! TJP slides under, sunset flips, but steps through to have the INDIAN DEATHLOCK! Bushi endures and fans rally with TJP! SNAP LOCK ELBOW!
TJP gets up, another SNAP LOCK ELBOW! And then the bridge for the MUTA LOCK! Bushi endures, reaches out, moves around, but TJP lets the faceolock go to focus on the legs. Bushi still endures, and he fights his way to the ROPEBREAK! Fans cheer and TJP lets the hold go. Fans rally up and TJP conducts the clapping. TJP drags Bushi up, hammerlocks and RAMS Bushi into the corner. TJP wraps the bad arm around ropes to pull! The ref counts, TJP lets go, but he gives Bushi some scrapes across the face. Fans rally up and TJP runs side to side, BOOT WASH! TJP drags Bushi up to bump off buckles, then whip corner to corner.
TJP runs in but Bushi BOOTS him! Bushi runs to RANA TJP down! Fans fire back up and Bushi drags TJP up. Bushi fires off forearms, has TJP in a corner, then whips corner to corner. TJP reverses but runs into a back elbow. Bushi goes up to missile dropkick! BUSHIROONI! Fans fire up while Bushi catches his breath in the corner. Bushi stomps TJP, drags him up, and catches the haymaker into a spin and DDT! Cover, TWO! Fans rally, Bushi drags TJP up, but TJP fights the Fisherman to wrench and dragon sleeper. Bushi drops to victory roll, TWO! Bushi kicks low, runs, but TJP SOBATS! TJP runs, but into a DROPKICK!
Bushi runs, but TJP goes the other way, SPRINGBOARD FLYING FOREARM! Fans fire up while both men are down again! Both men crawl after each other as the fans rally. TJP blocks the forearm to give a forearm! Then TJP gives another forearm, and another! TJP fires off more, then dodges Bushi to SUPERKICK! But Bushi ENZIGURIS! TJP ends up in a corner and Bushi runs in, but TJP goes up and over! TJP reels Bushi in, TORNADO DDT! TJP keeps going, dragon sleeper for SUDDEN IMPACT! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up more and TJP gets the leg! Bushi resists the crossface and crawls forward, but TJP grabs his arms!
Fans rally as Bushi and TJP struggle, Bushi gets the ROPEBREAK! TJP lets him go, fans rally up again, and TJP brings Bushi up to fireman’s carry. DETONATION KICK! TJP goes to the corner and to the top, SWANTON- NO, TJP has to roll through as Bushi dodges. Bushi kicks, TJP ducks the enziguri but Bushi HEEL KICKS! Fans rally again and Bushi runs in. He blocks TJP’s boot, puts it on the ropes and dropkicks it! Then DRAPING BACKSTABBER! Bushi gets TJP back up, FISHERMAN SCREW! Cover, TWO! TJP is still in this but Bushi fires up and goes to the corner! Bushi goes up, calls his shot, M- DROPKICK!
TJP goes to a corner! TJP goes up top, MAMBA SPLASH!! Cover, TWO!! But into PINOY STRETCH!! Fans fire up and Bushi endures, but TJP thrashes him around! Bushi taps, TJP wins!
Winner: TJP, by submission (gains 2 points; Bushi earns 0)
Bushi’s bubble just burst! Will TJP take this momentum to finish strong for the United Empire? Or will his run only last one round more?
Best of the Super Juniors 29 A Block: Clark Connors VS Hiromu Takahashi!
The Wild Rhino is also on the bubble, but the Ticking Timebomb isn’t out of the woods just yet. Is the stampede about to end for Connors? Or can he put a major dent into Hiromu’s plans for the threepeat?
Even before the bell, fans rally up, “HI-RO-MU!” “CON-NOR-SU!” The bell rings and they rush each other! Connors runs Hiromu over, then runs again. Things speed up, Connors runs Hiromu over again! Hiromu gets up and gets in Connors’ face. Connors CHOPS, Hiromu CHOPS and fans fire up already as the CHOPS go back and forth! Connors CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS! Hiromu’s chest stinging, Connors runs, but into a CHOP! Connors shakes his head. Connors runs, Hiromu avoids the chop block, but he gets run over again! Fans rally, Connors covers, ONE! Connors drags Hiromu back up to EuroUpper!
Connors whips, CLOBBERS Hiromu, then covers, TWO! Fans rally up, Connors gets Hiromu up in a half nelson, but Hiromu sits down so Connors gest a half nelson top wristlock. Hiromu gets the ropebreak and Connors lets off. Connors stomps Hiromu, whips him to ropes, but Hiromu avoids the powerslam! Hiromu BOOTS, then HANGING HEADSCISSORS! Connors endures, the ref counts, Hiromu lets off at 4. Hiromu POSTS Connors! Fans rally up again and Hiromu drags Connors up again. Hiromu scoops to SLAM Connors down! Connors writhes, clutching the bad arm. Hiromu argues with the ref, then brings Connors up.
The ring count starts but Hiromu snap suplexes Connors to the floor! Connors writhes and Hiromu drags Connors up again. Hiromu puts Connors in, covers, TWO! Another cover, TWO! Another, TWO!! Connors escapes and fans fire up! Hiromu brings Connors up in the corner to CHOP! And CHOP! Hiromu whips corner to corner then clotheslines! Snapmare and basement dropkick! Cover, TWO! Hiromu hurries after Connors’ bad arm! Connors resists the double wristlock and fans rally up. Connors fights up but Hiromu wrangles him into a CAMEL CLUTCH! Hiromu digs an elbow into the bad arm but Connors endures!
Fans rally, Connors fights and claws his way forward with one arm, to get the ROPEBREAK! Hiromu lets off and fans rally up again. Hiromu eggs Connors on and Connors CHOPS! Hiromu laughs that off but Connors CHOPS again! And CHOPS again! But Hiromu avoids the leg sweep to CHOP, and CHOP again! Fans rally, Hiromu brings Connors up to whip, but Connors reverses. Things speed up, Connors POUNCES Hiromu to the ropes! Hiromu flounders to a corner, Connors runs in and back elbows! Then Connors whips corner to corner to RAM Hiromu! Connors carries Hiromu for the WILD RIDE! Cover, TWO!
Connors aims from a corner, runs in, but Hiromu blocks the spear! Only for Connors to back drop him away! Fans fire up and he reels Hiromu in, but Hiromu slips free! Hiromu facelocks but Connors gets free, only to run into a back elbow! Hiromu runs, into an elbow from Connors! Connors runs, into a POP-UP POWERBOMB! High stack, TWO!! Fans fire up while both men are down! Hiromu gets up first and drags Connors into the facelock. But Connors knees free of the suplex! Hiromu uppercuts then ROCKS Connors with a right! But Connors blocks the superkick to HEADBUTT! Fans fire up as both men wobble!
Connors powers up, runs, but into a HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER! Cover, TWO! Hiromu roars and fans fire up again. Hiromu drags Connors up, fireman’s carries, but Connors fights free. Connors waistlocks but Hiromu fights free. Hiromu dodges the haymaker to wheelbarrow, but Connors stops the Complete Shot to WHEELBARROW GERMAN! Fans fire up and Connors gets to a corner! Connors aims as Hiromu slowly rises. SPEAR into D!! Connors endures, fans rally up, and Hiromu squeezes tight! Connors deadlifts Hiromu to BUCKLE BOMB him! Fans rally more while both men are down again.
Connors clutches his bad shoulder but he undoes some of the tape. Fans rally, Hiromu roars but so does Connors! DOUBLE LARIATS! They both stay up, Connors dodges to SPEAR!! High stack, TWO!?! Hiromu survives and Connors can’t believe it! But the shoulder tape comes off and Connors hauls Hiromu up! Whip and POWERSLAM! And then he gets Hiromu up for TROPHY- RANA! And into D!! Connors is caught and fans fire up again! Connors powers up, deadlifts, but Hiromu slips around to HIROMU-CHAN STUNNER! Then D!!! Connors is fading fast already, he TAPS! Hiromu wins!!
Winner: Hiromu Takahashi, by submission (gains 2 points; Connors earns 0)
The Wild Rhino has been brought down! But with time running out, does Hiromu still have a chance at his threepeat? Or will he be disarmed in the final round?
Best of the Super Juniors 29 A Block: Ryusuke Taguchi VS Ace Austin!
The Funky Weapon knows he’s out of the running, but there is still pride on the line for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion. Will Taguchi be able to hold off the Inevitable? Or will the Ace trump this half of Six or Nine?
The bell rings and fans rally up, “TA-GU-CHI!” “ACE AU-STIN!” Austin says he’s got big strong legs and butt, and dares Taguchi to give them a try. Taguchi walks over, HIP ATTACK to the leg, but Taguchi’s the one who hobbles away! Taguchi already faced Connors’ buns of steel, does Austin have thighs of iron? Fans fire up but Taguchi wants a timeout? Fans rally up as Taguchi walks off the pain in his butt. They tie up, Taguchi waistlocks, but Austin wrenches to an ELBOW BREAKER, then a wristlock. Taguchi rolls, wrenches back, but Austin slips through to waistlock. Austin brings Taguchi down, then floats to a facelock.
Taguchi slips out and facelocks back. Taguchi then floats to a back mount, and he half nelsons to the ARMBAR! ROPEBREAK, and Taguchi lets Austin go. Fans rally up as the two reset. Taguchi and Austin knuckle lock, Austin headlocks, but Taguchi pulls hair to power out. Things speed up, Taguchi keeps Austin moving with the dropdowns and sidesteps! Austin slows up to LEG DROP, but Taguchi moves! Fans fire up while Austin clutches his butt now. Taguchi gives him point blank hip attacks! Taguchi runs, but Austin somersaults to drop toehold, then EDDY GORDO! Austin runs, handsprings over Taguchi, but Taguchi dodges!
Austin ducks and the hip attack crashes and burns! Austin gives him a point blank hip attack! Fans fire up, Austin brings Taguchi up and whips, but Taguchi reverses to HIP ATTACK! Fans fire up more and Austin gets to ropes. Taguchi storms over and he gives Austin some RED UNDIES STINKFACE! The ref reprimands, Taguchi lets off, and then he runs, but into an arm-drag! DISARMER! Austin brings out his ace! But instead of going after Taguchi’s hand, Austin PAPER CUTS his butt! Fans fire up and Austin goes to kiss his card, but ugh, the smell. Austin tosses the ace while Taguchi writhes.
Austin drops knees on Taguchi’s butt, then puts the tights back up! Austin drags Taguchi up to CHOP to the corner. Austin stomps a mudhole in, then goes side to side to dropkick! Cover, TWO! Fans fire up and Austin stomps Taguchi around. Austin knees Taguchi in the side, then wraps on a body scissors! Taguchi endures the squeeze from those iron thighs and fans rally up! Taguchi throws elbows but Austin grabs that arm. Taguchi kicks and crawls but Austin squeezes tighter! Taguchi still fights, and gets the ROPEBREAK! Austin lets go quickly, and fans rally up again. Austin drags Taguchi up but Taguchi throws body shots!
Austin clamps onto Taguchi with a facelock but Taguchi throws more body shots! Taguchi whips corner to corner, runs in but Austin dodges! Austin comes back to A_LIST LARIAT! And he fires off point-blank lariats! Fans rally as Austin hits again and again, all the way to 10! Austin shoves Taguchi down, then steps back in, but into a HIP ATTACK! Fans rally while both men are down! Austin gets himself to the apron but Taguchi runs in. Austin shoulders back, springboards, but Taguchi shoves him down! Taguchi TRIANGLE JUMP PLANCHAS! Fans fire up and Taguchi gets Austin back up.
Taguchi puts Austin in, then sits on Austin at the ropes! Taguchi runs and HIP ATTACKS at the ropes! Then again! And then slide for the APRON HIP! Fans fire up, Taguchi takes aim and springboards, MISSILE HIP! Cover, TWO! Fans fire up again and Taguchi calls upon the powers of Strong Style! “ORYA~!” BUM- ROLL UP, to O’CONNER BRIDGE! TWO!! Taguchi escapes, but into a cravat, knee and snapmare! Austin wraps on a headscissor squeeze! Fans rally as Taguchi endures and kicks around! But Taguchi is fading from those iron thighs! The ref checks, Taguchi gets a second wind and keeps kicking! ROPEBREAK!
Austin lets go in frustration and Taguchi staggers at ringside. Austin builds speed, but Taguchi moves! Taguchi sweeps but Austin handsprings and PENALTY KICKS! Fans fire up and Austin calls his shot! He slingshots, builds speed, FALL TO GLORY! Direct hit and fans fire up again! Austin puts Taguchi in and steps in, FLYING CHUCK! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up and Austin aims, he runs in but Taguchi HIP ATTACKS into an atomic drop! Austin shows off the iron thighs, and then storms in, but into a BOOT! Taguchi runs, he fakes Austin out, then he HIP ATTACKS! Taguchi gets Austin up, chicken wings, but Austin victory rolls! TWO!!
Austin knees, knee lifts, and RIPCORD SLAMS! Then HOUSE OF CARDS! Fans fire up and Austin aims from the corner again. Taguchi flounders up, into THE FOLD- NO, Taguchi drops in time! Austin BOOTS Taguchi, goes up, flying sunset, but Taguchi goes to sit! Austin tries to hold him off, but the tights come back down! T-BAG CLUTCH! Taguchi wins!!
Winner: Ryusuke Taguchi, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Austin earns 0)
The Funky Weapon wins another one by the seat of his pants! Has Austin just busted? Or is there a chance to cash-in in the ninth?
Best of the Super Juniors 29 B Block: Wheeler Yuta VS El Phantasmo!
The ROH Pure Champion has been able to beat some of the other champions in this block, but The Headbanga has beaten champions, too. Will ELP beat another champion and be flush with golden tickets? Or will the Decoder have him figured out just like that?
Yuta rushes in to go after ELP! Yuta stomps away in the corner, the bell rings, and fans fire up as he hauls ELP up. Yuta whips corner to corner, ELP reverses and runs in, but Yuta goes up and over. Yuta scoops, ELP slips out and waistlocks, but Yuta switches. Yuta shoves and dropkicks ELP out of the ring! Fans fire up, Yuta builds speed and DIVES! Direct hit at the ramp! Yuta finally takes off his jacket and he brings ELP back up. Yuta CHOPS ELP and ELP staggers away. Yuta CLUBS ELP then bumps him off the apron. ELP flops down and Yuta looms over him. Yuta brings ELP up but ELP rakes eyes!
The ref reprimands but ELP reels Yuta in to suplex. Yuta slips out and has a SLEEPER! Yuta sits ELP down and rains down HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! Fans fire up but Yuta lets off to get the arms. Yuta drags ELP up in chicken wings but ELP stomps Yuta’s foot! ELP ROCKS Yuta with a forearm, then CHOPS him! ELP ROCKS and CHOPS Yuta more, then whips. Yuta slides through the corner, only for ELP to BOOT him! ELP boasts and fans rally up. ELP drags Yuta up, calls out Moxley, and ELP has the underhooks for a BUTTERFLY DDT to the floor! Not quite Paradigm Shift, but ELP wants the count out.
The ref starts the count and fans rally. Yuta stirs, crawls around, but staggers up at 12. He falls over at 13, staggers back up at 16, but falls again at 17! He gets in at 19.9, and ELP is upset! ELP rains down fists over and over on Yuta, then drags Yuta up by his ear. ELP puts Yuta in the corner, whips him corner to corner hard, and Yuta bounces off buckles. Cover, TWO! ELP drags Yuta up, scoops him and hits a BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Fans fire up, ELP suplexes, and SLAMS him down! Cover, TWO! Fans rally and ELP brings Yuta back up. ELP mocks the Liger pose and gets Yuta up but Yuta fights the bomb!
Yuta is on the corner, he fakes ELP out then goes up to CROSSBODY! Direct hit and fans fire up! Yuta atomic drops and ENZIGURIS! Fans fire up with Yuta and he hurries to get ELP’s arms! CATTLE MUTILATION, but ELP rolls to be on top of Yuta for a cover! TWO!! Fans fire up, Yuta kicks low and whips ELP to a corner. ELP goes up and over with a flip, then ducks and dodges to springboard CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! ELP somersaults, but Yuta moves, LIONSAULT FLOPS! Yuta gets the arms, SEATBELT CLUTCH, TWO!! Fans fire up, Yuta dodges ELP and waistlocks. ELP throws elbows then breaks the waistlock.
ELP ROCKS Yuta, but Yuta snarls. Yuta ROCKS ELP back, and ELP throws off his armbands! ELP hushes the crowd, so we can hear him ROCK Yuta. Fans rally up, Yuta snarls again and he ROCKS ELP. ELP throws another shot but Yuta gives it back, and fans rally as they go back and forth, faster and faster! ELP SLAPS Yuta, but Yuta SLAPS ELP! Yuta wrenches and reels ELP in, PAIN SABER! Cover, TWO!! Yuta hurries to get the arms, CATTLE MUTILATION!! ELP endures, flails, fans rally and ELP scoots around. ELP reaches out, ROPEBREAK! Yuta lets go quickly but is still frustrated. Fans rally as Yuta gets back up.
Yuta drags ELP up by his hair, reels him in and underhooks the arms. ELP resists so Yuta CLUBS him, then CLAWS him! Yuta underhooks and lifts, but ELP slips up and over! ELP hooks Yuta up to backslide, but Yuta rolls through! ELP hooks the arms but Yuta slips out and dodges, to BUSAIKU KNEE! Shoutout to the American Dragon! Fans fire up with Yuta and he drags ELP up. Yuta scoops to a gut wrench, and he tucks the legs! CROSS LEG TOMBSTONE!! Cover, TWO?!? ELP survives but Yuta hurries with HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! Fans fire up, Yuta hooks ELP up, SEAT- NO, ELP slips away and clips the ref! SUDDEN DEATH!! Cover, TWO!?!?
ELP can’t believe it! Yuta defies Sudden Death and fans are thunderous! ELP gets Yuta up, SUDDEN DEATH again! Then he hooks Yuta up, C R II!!! Cover, ELP wins!!
Winner: El Phantasmo, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Yuta earns 0)
The Headbanga snatches the golden ticket! Will ELP have his choice of titles regardless of the BOSJ? Or will he want them all?
Best of the Super Juniors 29 A Block: Yoshinobu Kanemaru VS SHO!
It’s a battle of tricksters here this close to the end! Will the Heel Master be able to pull a fast one on the Murder Machine? Or will Sho show he’s become a master heel in his own right?
Sho is already expecting something sneaky as he makes his entrance, but he makes it to the ring safely. So then Sho decides to get the jump on Kanemaru! He hides in the neutral entryway, but Kanemaru was waiting! They brawl backstage! The ref hurries to see what’s going on, and Kanemaru is choking Sho with his own shirt! Fans cheer as Kanemaru drags Sho down the ramp and to ringside. The ref reprimands, but Kanemaru POSTS Sho! Kanemaru then gets a chair and SMACKS Sho’s leg! The ref tries to stop this but Kanemaru shoves him away and SMACKS the leg again! Fans fire up while Sho writhes!
Kanemaru stomps the leg and fans rally for “HEEL MAS-TER! HEEL MAS-TER!” as he puts Sho in the ring. The ref rings the bell and Kanemaru stomps the leg more. Kanemaru drags Sho up to put in a corner and whip corner to corner. Sho hobbles and stumbles, so Kanemaru dropkicks the leg out! Kanemaru gets the leg, steps through, FIGURE FOUR! Sho fights it off but Kanemaru puts on the pressure! The fans rally as Sho endures the hold! Sho drags himself back and reaches out, but Kanemaru just puts on more pressure! Sho grabs at the ref, and flings him at Kanemaru! The hold is broken but fans rally up!
Sho crawls for his corner but Kanemaru anchors his foot. Kanemaru drags Sho back, turns him over and steps back through, but Sho kicks him away. Sho gets his wrench, but Kanemaru gets his whiskey! Sho dodges the bottle shot to JAM Kanemaru with the wrench! The whiskey is spat out, Sho aims agian but Kanemaru BOOTS the wrench away! Sho scrambles to find it, Kanemaru stands on it to keep Sho from picking it up! Kanemaru stomps Sho’s hand and he gets the wrench for himself! Fans fire up and Kanemaru takes aim, but Sho blocks the wrench attack! So LOW BLOW! Scoop and SLAM, then Kanemaru goes up! MOONSAULT!! Cover, the ref is back, TWO!!
Kanemaru drags Sho up fast, suplex for TOUCH OUT!! Cover, Kanemaru wins!!
Winner: Yoshinobu Kanemaru, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Sho earns 0)
As fast as a whiskey shot, Kanemaru puts Sho away! Speaking of which, Kanemaru takes a swig and SPITS it on Sho! And he holds up the NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championship! Is Suzuki-Gun going to aim for the House of Torture? Has Kanemaru just tanked Sho’s shot at the finals? Or can the Murder Machine pull off another trick in the final round?
Best of the Super Juniors 29 A Block: Francesco Akira VS Taiji Ishimori!
Bruciare made his first appearance in NJPW interrupting the Bone Soldier and the then champion, El Desperado. Taiji has the title now, will he show Akira what happens for stealing his thunder? Or will Akira burn up the champion’s chances of going to the finals?
Akira gets in Taiji’s face as soon as the introductions are over, but the ref has them back off. Fans already rally with “A! KI-RA!” while the jackets are put aside. The bell rings and Akira rushes in to BOOT Taiji, then fire off forearm after forearm! Taiji shoves Akira way but Akira’s right back for more! Taiji shoves him again, then rakes they eyes! The ref reprimands, Taiji lets off and whips, but Akira reverses. Taiji handsprings Akira gets around to merry-go-round headscissor! Taiji bails out, Akira runs and slides, but Taiji dodges! Taiji kicks and sends Akira at the apron but Taiji swings around to kick Taiji down!
Fans rally again with “A! KI-RA!” as Akira ASAI MOONSAULTS! Direct hit and fans fire up with Akira! Akira says if this is the champion, he’s not good enough. Akira CLUBS Taiji, the ref wants this back in the ring and Akira says hold on. Akira CLUBS Taiji again, then brings Taiji around. Taiji elbows the neckbreaker away, but Akira CHOPS! Fans fire up, Akira runs in but Taiji scoop and LAWN DARTS him into the post! Fans rally, Taiji undoes the blue buckle pad, the Bullet Club Special! Taiji hides that from the ref as Akira gets back in. Taiji storms up on Akira to CLUB him down. Fans rally for Akira but Taiji wrenches and hammerlocks, to RAM Akira into bare steel!
Fans rally as Akira gets up but Taiji CLUBS him. Akira throws a forearm but Taiji gives it back. Taiji cravats and has the neck wrench, but Akira endures. Taiji snapmares for the NECK TWIST! Cover, TWO! Fans rally, Taiji stalks Akira to ropes. Taiji brings Akira up, CHOPS him, then CHOPS him in the corner. Fans applaud those, and Taiji CHOPS Akira again! Akira comes back with forearms! Fans fire up, Akira CLUBS Taiji down, then Akira whips Taiji. Taiji Spider-Mans through the ropes, slips around Akira, shoulders in then springboards, but into a DROPKICK! Fans fire up again while Taiji writhes to a corner.
Fans rally as Akira goes to the opposite corner. Akira runs corner to corner and clotheslines! Then again for an uppercut! Taiji staggers, Akira fires up and fans fire up with him. Akira suplexes but Taiji slips out to waistlock and shoves. Akira then follows to wheelbarrow, STOMP 182!! Cover, TWO! Akira is beside himself but fans rally up. Akira drags Taiji up, reels him in, SPEED- NO, Taiji slips out, wrenches and ELBOW BREAKER! Taiji POSTS Akira, but fans still rally “A! KI-RA!” Taiji drags Akira out with a hammerlock, half nelson, scoop and SHOULDER BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Fans rally but Taiji grits his teeth.
Taiji crawls to a corner, aims at Akira as he stands up, but Akira elbows him! Taiji ROCKS Akira, whips, but Akira reverse. Taiji handsprings, into a GERMAN SUPLEX! Fans fire up and Akira runs, but Taiji dodges and comes back, DESTROYER! But Akira rebounds to DOUBLE KNEE!! Fans are thunderous while both men are down! Akira goes to the corner, he runs in at Taiji, SHOTGUN! Taiji ends up in the other corner and fans fire up! Akira gets Taiji up to the top rope, and he CHOPS! Akira climbs up, throws forearms, then stands on the very top! SUPER SPANISH FLY!! Cover, TWO!! Taiji survives and shocks Akira!
Fans are thunderous as Akira gets up and drags Taiji up. Akira vows to end this, he aims, but Taiji ducks the Fireball! MYSTICO! BONE LOCK!!! Akira endures, reaches, crawls, but Taiji cranks back! Akira still reaches out with a leg, for the ROPEBREAK! Fans rally for “A! KI-RA!” as hard as they can. Taiji gets up with the ropes, he takes aim and BANG. He brings Akira up, but Akira fights free, dodges and SUPERKICKS! POISON-RANA!! Taiji flops, Akira hurries back over! Akira stands Taiji up, SPEEDFIRE!! Cover, TWO!! Taiji survives and fans are thunderous again! Akira goes back to the corner, and he aims as Taiji sits up. FIRE- LARIAT!!
Taiji roars and he gets Akira up. CIPHER UTAKI! Cover, TWO!! Taiji is furious but he brings Akira back up. BLOODY CROSS!! Cover, Taiji wins!
Winner: Taiji Ishimori, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Akira earns 0)
The Fireball has been extinguished! And for the Bone Soldier, he’s been reborn in this block! He leads it now at 6-2, but will he still have control in the end?
Best of the Super Juniors 29 B Block: Robbie Eagles VS El Desperado!
The Sniper of the Skies is on a win streak, having beat El Phantasmo and El Lindaman these last two rounds. Will Eagles complete El Barrido (The Sweep)? Or will the Rogue Luchador once again outdraw him when it counts?
The bell brings and fans rally up, “EA-GEL-SU!” and he encourages them to get louder. The fans get louder and Desperado mockingly applauds. Eagles and Desperado circle, they tie up, and Desperado wrenches to a wristlock. Eagles spins and wrenches to wristlock, but Desperado spins and reaches back to headlock. Desperado grinds the hold, but shifts to a wrench and hammerlock. Eagles reaches around, sits down and rolls to then wristlock. Desperado goes to ropes and steps through, to then lace Eagles’ arm around the ropes! Red Shoes reprimands, Eagles tells him to let go, Desperado kicks the ropes as he does.
Eagles taunts Desperado and the two reset. They tie up, Desperado puts Eagles on ropes, but lets off. Eagles blocks the whip, and again, but Desperado rakes the eyes! Red Shoes reprimands, Desperado whips but Eagles reverses to go around, but Desperado blocks the arm-drag! Desperado brings Eagles up, and rakes his eyes again! Desperado runs, but Eagles arm-drags, only for Desperado to reverse that with his own! Eagles comes back, dodges and springboards to FLYING ARM-DRAG! Desperado bails out, fans rally up and Eagles builds speed, but he fakes Desperado out. Desperado mockingly applauds, then rushes up, only for Eagles to dropkick him down!
Eagles builds speed and slides, but Desperado ducks. Desperado kicks low and brings Eagles over, but Eagles avoids hitting the post by running up it! Eagles then arm-drags Desperado down! Fans rally and Desperado clutches his leg. Eagles barely kicks Desperado’s leg and Desperado freaks out. Eagles gets Desperado up to CHOP him! Fans rally while Desperado staggers around. Eagles brings Desperado up to CHOP! Eagles brings Desperado around to put in the ring, then steps in, but Desperado dropkicks Eagles’ leg! Then he gets the leg for a GROUND DRAGON SCREW! Fans rally while Eagles writhes.
Desperado gets up, brings Eagles around and puts the leg on ropes for a HIP DROP! Red Shoes reprimands but Desperado drags Eagles to the apron, then the corner! Desperado SLAMS the leg into the post! Desperado ties up the legs for a TEXAS CLOVERLEAF around the post! Red Shoes reprimands, Desperado lets off, and fans rally up again. Desperado gets in, stomps Eagles’ leg, then SMASHES the knee on the mat! Cover, ONE! Desperado is annoyed as fans rally. Desperado slaps Eagles around, but Eagles throws a body shot! Eagles gets up and throws forearms, but Desperado kicks the bad leg! Desperado then ties Eagles up in the BUTTERFLY DEATHLOCK!
Desperado mocks Eagles, “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE! OI OI OI!” and puts pressure to the beat. Eagles throws a forearm but Desperado eggs him on. Eagles “DECKS” Desperado but that just puts pressure on the hold! Desperado keeps on the pressure even while lounging, but Eagles reaches out to the ROPEBREAK! Fans rally up, Desperado lets off and “Oops!” drops on the leg. Fans rally but Desperado brings Eagles up to suplex. Eagles blocks, Desperado kicks the bad leg. Desperado gut wrenches, but Eagles slips out, ROLLING CHOP BLOCK! BLINDSIDE LARIAT! Desperado bails out, fans rally up, and Eagles manages to run and DIVE!
Direct hit at the ramp but Eagles may have hurt his leg more with the somersault tope’s landing! Red Shoes wants them to get to the ring and fans rally up. Eagles hobbles over and brings Desperado up and into the ring. Eagles fires himself up and fans rally behind him. BASEMENT CUTTER! Cover, TWO! Desperado checks his chin now while fans rally. Eagles encourages them to get louder and faster, and then he KICKS Desperado. And KICKS! And KICKS! Desperado stays up, Eagles runs, LEG- NO, Desperado blocks the leg lariat and CLUBS the leg. Desperado whips, Eagles reverses, WHEEL KICK!
Fans fire up while both men are down. They go to opposite corners, Eagles runs in, DOUBLE KNEES! Eagles rolls back while Desperado sits, METEORA! Then another METEORA! Cover, TWO! Fans still rally, Eagles tries to get his bad leg moving. Eagles brings Desperado up and cravats, but Desperado fights off the Shiranui. Eagles throws down elbows, then cravats, but Desperado turns Shiranui into atomic drop! Eagles hobbles, but he still ROUNDHOUSES, SUPERKICKS, and PELE- NO, midair DRAGON SCREW! Desperado keeps on the leg with a GROUND DRAGON SCREW! Fans fire up and Desperado hurries to the STRETCH MUFFLER!!
Eagles endures, scrambles, and gets the ROPEBREAK! Desperado thrashes but lets off as Red Shoes counts. Fans rally as Eagles bails out, and Desperado builds speed to DIVE into a GAMANGIRI! Desperado flops to the floor and Eagles tumbles back down, but fans fire up! Eagles gets in the ring, then goes to the apron. Desperado sits up in a daze, Eagles aims and leaps, missile dropkick to the legs! Both men are down, clutching their knees while Red Shoes checks on them. Fans rally up as both men stir. The ring count starts, Eagles and Desperado slowly rise. They’re both still down at 12 of 20, then 15! Eagles gets in at 16, Desperado hurries in at 19!
Eagles gets Desperado’s leg to stomp away and KICK it! Desperado fights off the step through but Eagles hits a SPINNING TOEHOLD! Then RON MILLER SPECIAL!! Desperado endures, reaches out, ROPEBREAK! Eagles lets go and drags Desperado away. Fans rally, Eagles rolls Desperado to his feet but Desperado fights the backpack. Desperado ROCKS Eagles but Eagles ROCKS Desperado! Desperado ROCKS Eagles again, Eagles ROCKS Desperado back. Desperado rebounds and ROCKS Eagles, Eagles rebounds and ROCKS Desperado. Desperado and Eagles go back and forth, faster and faster, and fans rally up!
Desperado KICKS the bad leg, but then Eagles KICKS Desperado’s bad leg! Eagles blocks the boot, but Desperado rakes eyes! Eagles fights the gut wrench but Desperado fights the cravat. Desperado shoves Eagles, SPINE- NO, Eagles spins through to ASAI DDT!! Fans fire up and Eagles drags Desperado to a cover, TWO! Eagles gets to a corner and manages to climb up with one good leg. 450, but he has to land as Desperado dodges! The leg jams, Desperado CHOP BLOCKS it! STRETCH MUFFLER! NUMERO DOS!! Eagles endures, reaches out, fans rally more, and Eagles flails his way over to the ROPEBREAK!!
Desperado lets go in frustration, and he shouts about his own bad leg. Fans rally up again and Desperado drags Eagles back up. Desperado underhooks, but Eagles blocks the lift! Desperado throws knees, underhooks again, PINCH- RANA! But Desperado rolls through to stack! TWO, into STRETCH MUFFLER! NUMERO DOS PLUS!! Eagles endures and fights to get one arm free! Fans rally as he reaches, but Desperado wants that arm again! Eagles sits up out of the muffler to reel Desperado in. But Desperado Alabama Lifts! He tucks the legs, BASTARD DRIVER!! Cover, TWO!!! Eagles survives and fans are thunderous!
Desperado writhes, clutching his own bad leg. Fans rally as hard as ever, Desperado gets up and roars! Desperado hobbles over to Eagles, gets him up and underhooks the arms, PINCHE- NO! Eagles fights that off to lift Desperado! But that’s too much for the bad leg! Desperado ROCKS Eagles! Eagles ROUNDHOUSES! And SUPERKICKS! Desperado ROCKS Eagles again! SCREW HIGH KICK from Eagles!! Both men are down and fans are thunderous! Eagles shakes out the cobwebs and gets back up. Desperado goes to ropes, Eagles runs in, 619!! Then Eagles goes to a corner, but the bad leg keeps him from climbing.
Eagles gest his bad leg moving, and he SPRINGBOARD 450s onto Desperado’s legs!! Then RON MILLER SPECIAL!! Desperado crawls, reaches out, but Eagles drags him away! Desperado taps, Eagles wins!!
Winner: Robbie Eagles, by submission (gains 2 points; Desperado earns 0)
Eagles takes out every El and has another W! Is Desperado’s comeback going to be denied? Or can he salvage it in the final round?
As for Eagles, he gets the mic and asks Desperado to wait. In Japanese, Eagles tells “Desperado-san: Until we meet again.” Fans applaud, hoping to see this showdown again someday, too. Fans then clap for “EA-GEL-SU!” but he gets them going on “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE! OI OI OI!” And again he says that he can’t wait until the fans can all shout “Oi Oi Oi” again. “Soon, huh? I hope soon. Everybody, you want to make noise, too? You want to make noise, too? Yeah? You wanna cheer? You wanna shout? You wanna scream?” Fans applaud because yes, they do.
Eagles continues to say, “I did exactly as I said I would. That’s three for three. I’ve got one more to go to punch my ticket. So I’m gonna do everything I can to make it so I’m center of this ring, holding the Best of the Super Junior trophy in the Budokan.” Fans rally for “EA-GEL-SU!” as loud as they can, and Eagles repeats what he said in Korakuen Hall, that he thanks us all for supporting and believing in him. Eagles thinks of saying the next thing in Japanese but realizes his Japanese is still lacking. He starts again, “This is my time!” The Sniper of the Skies has just one last target left, can he hit it to go to the finals?
Here are the new standings in A Block!
Taiji Ishimori: 6-2, 12 points
Ace Austin: 5-3, 10 points
Hiromu Takahashi: 5-3, 10 points
SHO: 4-4, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
YOH: 4-4, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
Alex Zayne: 4-4, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
Clark Connors: 3-5, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Francesco Akira: 3-5, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Yoshinobu Kanemaru: 3-5, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Ryusuke Taguchi: 3-5, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Here are the new standings for B Block!
El Phantasmo: 6-2, 12 points
Robbie Eagles: 5-3, 10 points
El Desperado: 5-3, 10 points
El Lindaman: 4-4, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
Wheeler Yuta: 4-4, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
TJP: 4-4, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
Bushi: 3-5, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Master Wato: 3-5, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Titan: 3-5, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Douki: 3-5, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
My Thoughts:
A great event for NJPW BOSJ and it seems each block is down to just three entrants each. With both halves of the Cutest Tag Team at 6-2, a lot of people get cut out of the running. I was right about Sho and Yoh swapping results, but it wasn’t enough to keep them both in the running. Sho VS Yoh will still be great stuff but it’ll just be for pride at this point. Eagles and Austin also have parallel positions: If they win to get to 6-3 while Taiji and ELP lose to drop to 6-3, tiebreakers go to Eagles and Austin and they’re the finalists. But if ELP and/or Taiji win, they take the block.
But the key is that Hiromu VS Taiji and Desperado VS ELP are the final showdowns. If Hiromu/Desperado win over Taiji/ELP, AND Austin/Eagles lose, we’ll see Hiromu have his fourth finals appearance and Desperado is within reach of his comeback. This is coming down to the and I love it.
My Score: 8.9/10
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The Last Time is Now on SmackDown!
LA Knight is in the Last Time is Now Tournament, determined to meet John Cena at Saturday Night’s Main Event, but who is his opponent?! Time to find out, YEAH!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- The Last Time is Now Tournament Opening Round: Jey Uso VS The Miz; Jey wins and advances.
- WWE Untied States Open Challenge: Ilja Dragunov VS Axiom; Ilja wins and retains the title.
- The Last Time is Now Tournament Opening Round: LA Knight VS Zack Ryder; Knight wins and advances.
- Jade Cargill VS B-Fab; Jade wins.
- Undisputed WWE Championship: Cody Rhodes VS Bronson Reed w/ Paul Heyman; Cody wins, by disqualifications, and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
Rhea Ripley AND Iyo Sky are here!
Albany, New York fires up as Mami & The Genius are both here on SmackDown following the chaos on Raw. Because at Survivor Series, Rhea said it herself: WARGAMES! Rhea & Iyo each get a mic and the fans cheer them both on. Rhea says, “Since I’ve been out with a broken nose, the Kabuki Warriors, they’ve been causing a little bit of chaos. And now that they’ve managed to get their hands on the Tag Team Championships, they think they’re pretty much untouchable.” The fans boo, but then Rhea says throw Nia Jax & Lash Legend into the mix, which the fans boo also… “And now they think they are untouchable again because they have the ‘numbers advantage.'”
But the funny thing about numbers is you just end up with more enemies. Iyo says, “A lot of enemies. But they always catch up to you. And now, there is nowhere to hide! WARGAAAMES~!” The fans cheer as Iyo & Rhea go wild for that. Rhea says, “And y’know what? We’re not going in alone. So I would like to introduce two of our teammates: Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss!” The fans cheer as the former tag team champions make their way out to the ring, Charlotte in a modern art suit with her pyro, and then followed by Alexa in her goth preppy fusion. #Charlexa stands with Rhea & Iyo in the ring, mics also in hand.
The four hug it out and the fans “WOO~!” Alexa says if the Kabukis wanna play dirty, fine. If Nia & Lash wanna jump in, too, great! And they can get all four at once, it is so on! Those four started this fight, these four will end it! The very second Rhea said, “WarGames,” Alexa knew they were in. Right, Charlotte? The fans “WOO~!” and Charlotte says, “Lexi, I can’t do this. I can’t pretend anymore.” What? “Look, Rhea. I don’t like you.” The fans boo and Iyo is shocked. Charlotte says she doesn’t trust Rhea, and she thinks Rhea is a snake. But Rhea doesn’t like or trust Charlotte and probably thinks she’s the snake, and Charlotte doesn’t blame her.
There is too much history here, too much bad blood. Just because they have the same enemies doesn’t change that. Charlotte cannot look past it. Alexa is Charlotte’s friend, she trusts Alexa. So if Alexa wants to do this, that’s fine. But count Charlotte out. What!? The fans boo as The Queen steps away, but Alexa calls after her. Charlotte goes up the ramp, Alexa apologizes to the others and tries to figure out why Charlotte did this. Can Alexa get Charlotte to change her mind before it’s time to go to war?
Jey Uso is in the concourse!
And he asks them to please, please, play his music! UH UH, YEET!! The fans fire up and bounces along as Main Event Jey Uso makes his entrance, ready for The Last Time Is Now! But will it be Albany, New YEET? Or will the Hollywood A-Lister put all that fire from last week to good use?
The Last Time is Now Tournament Opening Round: Jey Uso VS The Miz!
SmackDown returns and the fans continue to YEET, and then they want the encore! But instead, The Miz makes his entrance. The bell rings and the fans rally up as the two circle. They tie up, are in a deadlock, but Miz KNEES low! Miz CLUBS Jey, then talks some trash. The fans rally for Jey but Miz brings Jey around. Jey blocks the buckle bump to fire off haymakers, “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Jey whips, Miz reverses, and Miz hits a kitchen sink KNEE! The fans boo but Miz soaks up the heat. Jey goes to ropes, Miz storms up on him, and Miz fires haymakers of his own! Miz soaks up more heat as he backs p, then he runs in, but Jey turns lariat into backslide! TWO!
The fans fire up as Jey stands, but Miz blocks a kick! Miz spins Jey, the DRAGON WHIP hits! Miz ends up on the apron, but he slides under Jey to sunset flip! TWO, and Miz catches Jey now! Jey fights the Finale with ama r-drag, but Miz avoids the superkick! So Jey LARIATS Miz up and out! The fans fire up and “YEET!” Jey builds speed and DIVDSE! Miz is send into the desk! Albany fires up while Jey snarls and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again and Miz stalks Jey. The tide has turned and Miz storms up, but Jey ELBOWS him away! Jey goes up, but Miz kicks the legs out! DRAPING CODE BREAKER! Then a DDT! Jey gets spiked! Miz covers, TWO! Jey survives and Miz is stunned! Miz snarls as Jey sits up, and then Miz KICKS! And KICKS! And KICKS! The fans say “YES! YES! YES!” to the It Kicks, and Miz winds up, only for Jey to duck the buzzsaw! POP-UP NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Miz survives and crawls to a corner while Jey shakes his head. The fans rally as Jey goes to the other corner. “UCE! OH! UCE! OH!” Jey runs up, but Miz dodges!
Miz runs up and SHOULDER TAKCKLES! And SHOULDER TACKLES! Miz parodies John Cena with the SPIN-OUT BOMB! The fans fire up as Miz says when his hand goes up, your mouths go shut. “You Can’t See Me!” FIVE KNUCKLE SHUFFLE! The fans are torn as Miz now fireman’s carries Jey! But Jey fights free, shoves Miz, SUPERKICK! Then a fireman’s carry in return! Miz slips free, SKULL CRUSHING FINALE!! Cover, TWO!?! Jey survives and everyone is shocked, especially Miz! Jey flounders, stands, and goes to a corner. Albany is thunderous for Jey but Miz storms right up on him.
Miz puts Jey up top, then climbs up after him! Miz full nelsons again! But Jey fires elbows! Then he fireman’s carries Miz! The fans are thunderous as Jey hits a TOP ROPE RACK DROP! Then he gest moving, SPEAR!! Jey doesn’t stop there, he goes up the corner again! USO SPLASH!! Cover, JEY WINS!
Winner: Jey Uso, by pinfall (advances to the next round)
Albany YEETS again as Jey stays alive in the tournament! But who else will join him, Sheamus, and Rusev on the road to Washington, DC?
Ilja Dragunov talks with Nick Aldis.
The Mad Russian Dragon is glad he gets to have another Open Challenge, but then in walks Tommaso Ciampa. The Sicilian Psycho hopes Aldis is explaining to “our so-called fighting champion” how to respect the rules of an Open Challenge. Aldis says the champion has every right to dictate the rules how he sees fit, but Johnny Gargano asks if Ilja has the right to call his best friend a jackass. Candice LeRae asks if Ciampa looks like a jackass! Enough with calling him a jackass! The only jackass here is Ilja denying the one man answering the challenges! Make it make sense! Well, they were just discussing this, so listen very carefully!
When Ilja took on the legacy of the United States Open Challenge, Ilja promised to do things the right way. And the right way mean sto not give opportunities to… jackasses! But to fight warriors who are willing to fight with respect and honor. And there is nothing honorable about Ciampa. So tonight, Ilja will give this opportunity to a man who fights with honor, and someone Ilja respects. Oh no, seriously?! AXIOM steps in! Ciampa accuses Ilja of cowardice, but Axiom thanks Ilja for this opportunity. Aldis wishes them both the best of luck, then moves on, only for Paul Heyman and Bronson Reed to be waiting outside his office.
Heyman smiles, a big contract folder in hand, and he asks Aldis, “How’re you doing? We need to talk to you for a minute.” Aldis says please, step inside. These three go into the office to talk, but what exactly about?
SmackDown returns and…
Aldis calls in extra security for his office. He tells Heyman that before The Vision is escorted from the building, what can he do for them? Heyman says that’s awfully dramatic, Aldis. But this is the WarGames agreement, which allows Heyman to “take any talent that is under WWE contract across all brands. Tha tincludes SmackDown, your brand. My heads-up to you, you’re welcome.” Any talent across all brands? Yes, thank you for coming all the way to Albany to confirm what was already in the paperwork. This could’ve been an email, Heyman. So unless there’s anything else to discuss, he would like to ask them kindly to leave. Because The Vision will NOT be disrupting Aldis’ show.
And security steps in on cue. Heyman says oh goodness, look who it is! Cody Rhodes steps in, and Heyman says, “It’s the golden goose who’s being afforded all this protection.” Cody asks, “Mr. Heyman, what do you wanna talk about?” Heyman wants to talk about Cody getting involved with Vision business on Raw. Cody doesn’t know about this golden goose stuff, but he saw on Raw that they were putting his friends in the fire, which means he was next through the flames, but Heyman already knew that. But this is Friday Night SmackDown, and the business of today… is right here. “And if you’re not here to fight, then you should leave.”
Bronson says he’ll fight. Cody asks Aldis to make the match: Bronson Reed VS Cody Rhodes… TONIGHT! Aldis says that works, but Heyman asks why they’d give this away and not make it a title match? Cody says fine, book it. Aldis gets worried now, but Cody says, “BOOK IT!” Then it is official. Cody VS Bronson for the Undisputed Championship. Heyman smiles and thanks both Mr. Aldis and “Champ” Cody. Did Cody just get goaded into losing the gold? Or will the American Nightmare find a way to slay the Colossal Aussie?
WWE Untied States Open Challenge: Ilja Dragunov VS Axiom!
Speaking of titles, The Czar didn’t appreciate the Sicilian Psycho getting salty all over again, so he again passed on Ciampa to face Axiom. But will Ilja be able to deny the Undeniable Truth? Or will Axiom finally have singles gold on SmackDown?
The bell rings and the fans rally as the two circle. They feel things out, Axiom rolls to wrench and wrangle Ilja. Axiom has the armlock but Ilja fights up. Ilja wrenches in return, then cording holds for a HIP TOSS! Cover, ONE, but Ilja holds onto the arm. Axiom kips up, slips around, and spins Ilja to snapmare and headlock. Ilja slips out to armlock in return and the fans cheer the technical exchange. Ilja knuckle locks to straight arm lever and SLAM Axiom! Axiom fights up but Ilja wrenches him again. Ilja whips Axiom to a corner, but Axiom dodges the lariat! Axiom waits on Ilja and he says it was that close. Ilja and Axiom reset, knuckle lock, and Axioim headlocks.
Axiom hits the takeover but Ilja keeps his shoulders up. Ilja CLUBS at Axiom from below, then fights up. Ilja powers up and out, Axiom RAMS him, but Ilja RUNS Axiom over! Cover, ONE, and Ijoa gets moving! Axiom trips Ilja up, but Ilja blocks the hip toss! Ilja slips through but Axiom fights the backslide! The fans rally as the two fight for control, and then they spin around. Ilja ROCKS Axiom with a forearm! Axiom ROCKS Ilja! Ilja BOOTS Axiom down! The fans rally, but Axiom catches the hammer into the ARMBAR! Ilja fights to stack, and he deadlifts Axiom! Axiom lets go, but Ilja ducks the enzigiri to SLAP Axiom down!
The fans rally and Axiom dodges to then DROPKICK back! Ilja staggers, Axiom GAMANGIRIS him up and out! The fans fire up while Ilja sputters, and Axiom takes aim. Axiom runs, GOLDEN- NO! Ilja stops the triangle moonsault as he CLUBS Axiom on the back! Axiom is stuck up top, Ilja CHOPS him! Axiom kicks at Ilja, Ilja CHOPS, and repeat! The fans rally as these two brawl on the apron. Ilja HEADBUTTS Axiom right back into the ring! Then Ilja climbs, aims, and SUPER SENTONS! Cover, TWO! Axiom survives, Ilja is a bit surprised, and SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Ilja snarls as he rises up, and he paces around Axiom. Axiom slowly sits up, Ilja fires up, but he turns around into a CHOP from Axiom! So Ilja CHOPS Axiom right off his feet! Cover, TWO! Ilja keeps close and brings Axiom up to CHOP again! And again! And then HEADBUTT! And CHOP! HEADBUTT! CHOP! Ilja then reels Axiomi in for a BIG suplex! Cover, TWO! Ilja still keeps axiom down with a facelock. Axiom endures, fights around, and he wrenches out to headlock back. Axiom waistlocks, Ilja bucks the O’Conner, but axiom kips up, into a CHOP! Cover, TWO! Axiom survives again but Ilja stays focused.
Ilja puts Axiom in a corenr, CHOPS him, and Axiom flops against the ropes. Ilja drags Axiom back up, whips corner to corner, and Axiom hits hard! Ilja runs up to KNEE low, then he runs side to side to BOOT WASH Axiom right outta the ring! Ilja roars and the fans cheer. Ilja goes out to BOOT Axiom, then follows him around the way. They go back into the ring, Ilja brings Axiom around, and Ilja waistlocks, only for Axiom to fight the lift. Axiom switches, Ilja fights the lift, and Ilja wrenches out to HEADBUTT! And HEADBUTT! And then Gotch lift POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Axiom is toughing it out bu tIlja is not deterred.
Ilja clamps on with a rear bearhug and he squeezes tight, Axiom endures so Ilja ELBOWS him down! And ELBOWS again and again and again! Ilja just HAMMERS away on Axiom, then clamps back on with another bearhug. Axiom still endures, fights back to his feet, but Ilja GERMAN SUPLEXES! Ilja holds on, drags Axiom back up, and SmackDown returns to single picture. Fans chant for “One More Time!” and Ilja GERMAN SUPLEXES! Ilja still holds on, Albany wants another, so Ilja drags Axiom up. Axiom switches, but Ilja again bucks the O’Conner! Axiom kips up, but he ducks the chop to NORTHERN LIGHTS!
The fans cheer while both men are down! The fans rally as Ilja stands, and he swings, but Axiom CROSS COUNTERS! Ilja falls back, Axiom goes to a corner, but Ilja storms up. Axiom BOOTS Ilja down, hops up the corner, and MISSILE DROPKICKS! Cover, TWO! Ilja survives and Axiom grows frustrated but the fans rally up. Axiom rises, Ilja roars to give him more, so Axiom KICKS! And KICKS! Ilja wants more so Axiom KICKS, KICKS, and KICKS! Ilja blocks to SLAP, ROCK, boxing elbows, and BOOT! Axiom falls and the fans fire up again! Ilja powers up, runs, CONSTANTINE- NO, Axiom catches him to an ARMBAR!
Ilja fights, ends up in a TRIANGLE HOLD, but he works to stack Axiom! Axiom fights that off, but Ilja deadlifts Axiom again! POWERBOMB! Axiom flounders, Ilja snarls, and Ilja aims from the corner. Ilja powers up, the fans rally, H-BOMB FOR- NO, Axiom uses that to spring up and MOONSAULT DDT!!! Cover, TWO!?! No one can believe what they saw, nor that Ilja survived! “This is Awesome!” as Axiom has Ilja in a corner. Axiom ROCKS and CHOPS and hoists Ilja up. Ilja fights back with SLAPS and Axiom staggers. But then Axiom GAMANGIRIS! Axiom goes up after Ilja, but Ilja fires RIDGE HAND CHOPS!
Ilja and Axiom go to the very top, but Axiom hits the SUPER DUPER SPANISH FLY!! And then GOLDEN RATI- NO!! TORPEDO MOSCOW!! AND H-BOMB FOREARM!! Cover, Ilja wins!!
Winner: Ilja Dragunov, by pinfall (still WWE United States Championship)
It was all in a blink of an eye, but Ilja snatches victory from the jaws of defeat! Another instant classic is under Ilja’s belt, and he shows respect to Axiom for giving him this fight. The fans cheer that, but who will be next to challenge The Mad Russian’s reign?
R-Truth meets with Nick Aldis.
Truth knows last week that it was a heavy load, and Truth’s load was lost in the shuffle, but he is imploring to Aldis as employee to boss, please put Truth in the John Cena tournament. Aldis tries to tell Truth again, but Truth says don’t worry, he shined up his (lottery) balls so they’ll look real nice on TV. All he asks is Aldis handles them with care. Aldis again tries to get it through to Truth but Truth says just take his balls. FINE! Aldis takes them, and then Chelsea Green walks in. She asks if she heard John Cena’s name dropped. She did. Then speaking of legends, she has no idea why SHE didn’t get pyro when she won the Women’s US Championship.
But putting a pin in that, when is her championship celebration happening tonight? Aldis goes to say it’s not but she says that’s right, he CANCELLED it! She’d all of it prepared and ready to go! But all will be forgiven if this “injustice system” that is WWE would just give her a celebration next week, with pyro. Yes, he can make that work. Just for right now, hold onto these for him. Aldis hands Chelsea the Truth balls, and Alba says they do look nice. But will The Hot Mess really get everything she demand- er, wants?
SmackDown shares footage from the break.
As Axiom was on his way back up the ramp, Tommaso Ciampa attacked him! The Psycho Killer took out all his anger out on Axiom, only for Frazer to chase him off! Ciampa is only showing everyone Ilja is right about him, but will Ciampa not stop until he gets his opportunity?
Sami Zayn is here!
The fans cheer and sing along with the song as #BigMatchSami heads to the ring. Sami gets a mic and asks, “How we doing tonight, Albany? We good?” The fans cheer, and they chant for “Sami! Sami!” Sami takes a moment before he says, “I gotta tell ya. Since I’ve come to SmackDown, there have been some extremely high highs, and some extremely low lows. As soon as I came over to SmackDown, the first thing I said I would do is I said I would beat Solo Sikoa for the United States Championship.” The fans cheer that, and Sami says he did do that! He got to do amazing things with that title, like wrestle John Cena in his last match on SmackDown!
Sami got to go toe-to-toe with the best talent SmackDown has to offer week in and week out. The fans cheer again, and Sami says that was all great. But he won’t lie, the last four weeks have been extremely challenging. he has had to watch from the sidelines, hurt and not medically cleared, as Solo & MFT run roughshod every single week! The fans boo, and Sami says he’s had to sit and watch, unable to do anything, while MFT attacked Sami’s friends, those Sami liked and respected. And Sami gets it, Aldis told him not to get involved, don’t get hurt, and so Sami did. He sat back week after week. But he is here to tell us that that ends TONIGHT!
The fans cheer and Sami continues by calling out Solo! He knows Solo has a problem with him, and he sure has a problem with Solo, so let’s deal with it face to face! Solo & MFT make their way out here, and Solo has a mic in hand. Solo tells Sami, “You really think you knwio who you are, huh? You think you know, but you don’t. I know the real Sami, I know the real you. Yeah. He’s pathetic, a liar, desperate, and when you’re desperate, you do desperate things, which makes you so damn selfish!” The fans boo, but Solo says Sami only cares about Sami! Sami doesn’t care about the guys in the back, or even the fans here in Albany.
The fans boo, but Solo says for himself, what he cares about is his family. Solo cares about the men standing behind him and their loyalties to him. Unlike Sami! Sami knows nothing about loyalty when it comes to family. In fact, watch who you’re talkinga bout before he gets in there and kicks Sami’s ass! Don’t forget, Sami, you’re still wounded. The fans boo as MFT now flanks the ring, and Solo says this can end very badly for Sami. Solo could drop Sami right here and now, but he won’t. He will wait until Sami is 100% and medically cleared. Then once that happens, understand this: Solo is coming after you!
The fans boo, but Sami says, “Well, the good news for you, Solo, is you’re not gonna have to wait very long. Because as of tonight, I am officially 100% medically cleared! So if you wanna do something about it, go ahead and do something about it right now!” Sami calls Solo’s bluff, so Solo takes off the jacket But then Sami says before that, Solo needs to know this: Sami didn’t come here alone. And just as he says that, Rey Fenix, Shinsuke Nakamura & Motor City Machine Guns all YANK MFT off the apron! The brawl is on and the fans fire up! Solo panics, Sami shrugs, and Solo takes a swing! Sami fires counter punches!
The fans fire up as Sami fires off on Solo in a corner! Sami stomps a mudhole, then he goes to the far corner! The fans fire up, but Talla gets Solo outta the ring! The fans boo but then JC Mateo CLOBBERS Sami! JC, Tama & Loa all mug Sami, but Sami’s friends get them! They TOSS the Guerrillas and even LARIAT Loa up and out! The fans fire up as now Fenix goes up, up, and TORNILLO CROSSBODIES MFT! Fenix regroups with Sami and friends! Will Sami and his team soon cut down Solo’s “Family Tree?”
Cody Rhodes prepares backstage.
Jey Uso says hey and Cody congratulates him on the win in the tournament. Jey says he just heard about Bronson’s title shot at Cody tonight. It might get a little slimy, so Jey’s got his back. Of course! Cody and Jey shake hands on that again, and then Jimmy Uso steps in. #BigJim says hey, Uce. Any time you can get your hands on The Vision sounds like a party to Jimmy, so count him in, too. They shake on that, and Jimmy says he spoke with Punk earlier. Count him in for WarGames, too! The three shake hands, The Usos head out, but will Cody be able to fire the first shot in that war? Or will a Tsunami end the reign of the American Nightmare?
Solo Sikoa argues with Nick Aldis backstage.
Solo demands that with Sami 100% healthy, he wants a match with him tonight! Aldis says first, there’s no more time on the card, that can’t happen. And second, Solo clearly has more enemies than just Sami. So how about this? In two weeks, SmackDown before WarGames, it’ll be MFT VS Sami, Fenix, Nakamura & MCMG in a 5v5 Survivor Series style Elimination Tag! Now if you’ll excuse him. Aldis leaves, and there’s a Wyatt Sick6 glitch on screen. And in fact, Uncle Howdy is lurking in the shadows. Will the Wyatts be watching that 10 Man Tag very, very closely?
The Last Time is Now Tournament Opening Round: LA Knight VS ???
The Mega Star knows what this tournament is all about, and he knows everyone wants to be John Cena’s final opponent, but what he doesn’t know is who will be his first round opponent! We’re all about to learn that in the matter of moments, but will it not matter when this is LA Knight’s game? Or will what you don’t know actually hurt you?
Everyone waits and watches the stage. “WOO! WOO! WOO! YOU KNOW IT!” It’s Matt Car- well, no, he’s ZACK RYDER again!? Long Island Iced Z returns to the WWE, but will he prove he’s #AlwayZReady? The bell rings, the fans cheer and “WOO WOO WOO!” Knight and Ryder circle, Ryder gets the “WOO WOO WOO!” going hotter, and the two tie up. Ryder rolls Knight, TWO! Ryder says it was that close, and Knight says yeah, okay. They go again, tie up, and now Knight wrenches Ryder to YANK, YANK, YANK the arm! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight wrenches, Ryder ducks, but then Knight switches.
Ryder bucks the O’Conner, but Knight avoids the Rough Ryder! Knight returns, but Ryder tosses him out! The fans cheer as Ryder smiles, and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Ryder whips corner to corner. Knight hits buckles hard, then drops to his knees. The fans cheer Ryder as he pushes Knight to the corner, then whips him again. Knight reverses and BACKDROPS! The fans fire up while Ryder flounders, then he goes to the apron. Knight storms over, Ryder ROCKS Knight first, and then Ryder goes to supelx! Knight supelxes but Ryder slips free! Knight dodges to JAB, JAB, and JAB! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Then ROLLING ELBOW! Knight clinches to RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Knight whips, Ryder hits buckles hard, and Knight hits the JUMP NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!
Ryder survives but Knight nods. Knight brings Ryder up, kicks low, then fires hands. Knight bumps Ryder off buckles, then whips him to ropes. Knight scoops, Ryder slips free, and Ryder ROCKS Knight! And CHOPS! And ROCKS! And then whips, but Knight reverses. Ryder turns backdrop into FACEBUSTER! Big forearm in the corner, and Knight sits down! The fans pump their fists with Ryder, “WOO WOO WOO! YOU KNOW IT!” BROSKI BOOT! Cover, TWO! Knight survives but the fans rally up as Ryder aims from a corner. Ryder hooks Knight’s arms, turns him, but Knight RAMS Ryder into buckles! Dragon sleeper, REVERSE DDT!
The fans fire up while both men are down! Knight then rolls back to his feet and the fans cheer. Knight goes up the corner, and he spells it out, “L! A! KNGIHT! YEAH!” BOX JUMP ELBOW- NO, Ryder moves, runs up, ROUGH RYDER!! Cover, TWO!! Knight survives and the fans are shocked! Ryder is also surprised, but he hurries to watch Knight. “This is Awesome!” and Ryder reels Knight in, Knight wrenches out and kicks, B F- NO! Ryder rolls Knight up, TWO! Knight runs up, but into KNEES! Ryder goes up, up, RADIO SILENCE into a POWERBOMB!! Then Knight hauls Ryder up, B F T!! Cover, KNIGHT WINS!
Winner: LA Knight, by pinfall (advances to the next round)
YEAH! Knight didn’t care who it was gonna be, he fought and won his spot in the second round! Knight, Jey, Sheamus, Rusev, who else will advance in this historic tournament?
Alexa Bliss, Rhea Ripley & Iyo Sky talk backstage.
They still can’t get their heads around why Charlotte just walked out on them. Charlotte also isn’t texting back or anything. Rhea knew they had beef, but she thought Charlotte would put it all aside like she did. Tonight just shows they gotta now find two more people for the team. Alexa says she has someone to call, Iyo says Charlotte was their best bet, though. But then Asuka, Kairi, Nia & Lash all attack! The brawl is on, Rhea HEADBUTTS Kairi down, but Lash DECKS Rhea! Then Nia sends Iyo into Lash’s KNEE! Lash then sends Iyo into a road case! And then same for Rhea! Security rushes in, Asuka says okay, okay, they’re good.
Nia says bye, losers~! The Irresistible Four just did a lot of damage. Will they even need a fifth woman to finish off what’s left of Rhea, Iyo and Alexa?
Jade Cargill VS B-Fab!
The Storm finally reigns on the mountaintop of WWE, and she is not playing nice with anyone. Will she strike down someone who was once a friend? Or will B-Fab truly be fab when she gets a win on the champ?
SmackDown returns, B-Fab makes her entrance, Michin staying backstage to let her handle things on her own. The bell rings and Jade dares Fab to try something. They tie up, Fab goes for a leg, but Jade spins her around. CHOKE- NO, Fab slips free and DROPKICKS! And DROPKICKS! Jade is in a corner, Fab runs up, HEEL KICK! Fab fires ELBOW after ELBOW, then fires up! The fans rally, Fab runs up, but Jade blocks the boot! Jade DECKS Fab with a forearm, then drags her right back up. Jade scoops Fab to FALL AWAY SLAM! Jade kips up, fires up, and the fans are with Jade on this one.
Jade waits on Fab, brings her around with the guzel, CHOKE SLAM! Jade tells Fab to stand down, but then she brings Fab up anyway. Jade revels in the cheers, then lifts Fab to POWERBOMB! Jade paces while she tells Fab to stay down, but Fab manages to sit up. Jade says fine, and she brings Fab up again. Fab fights, Jade lifts, POWERBOMB! Jade stands over Fab as she tells her to stay down, but the fans want to see that “One More Time!” Jade drags Fab up, has the chicken wings, and then JADED! Cover, Jade wins!
Winner: Jade Cargill, by pinfall
Jade mockingly checks her imaginary watch, and she says this is who she is! Michin is here now to make sure B-Fab is okay, but then Jade tells them both to get outta here. Mia is upset Jade would be like this just because she’s champion now. Jade tells Mia to know her place, then SHOVES her down! The fans boo but Mia wants after Jade! The ref keeps them apart, Jade steps out, and she smirks as she leaves. Jade says she is #ThatB*tch then, now, and forever, so just keep ’em coming.
Nick Aldis announces the final four first-round entrants.
“Last week on SmackDown, four superstars were selected at random to compete for the most prized career-altering opportunity: To face the Greatest of All Time, John Cena, in his final match at Saturday Night’s Main Event. Tonight, fate will once again decide the superstars that will compete in The Last Time Is Now Tournament. First up, it’s a former first-round draft pick, Carmelo Hayes, taking on The Vision’s own Bronson Reed. And finally, the high-flying luchador, Penta, will go one-on-one with The Prince, Finn Balor. The only thig I have left to say, gentlemen, is good luck.” No Truth, but will the vision be clear as we approach December 13th?
Backstage interview with Carmelo Hayes.
Cathy Kelley is with H1M and brings up him going on record as to how he idolized John Cena growing up and would love this opportunity to go 1v1. What would a win in the opening round mean for him? Melo says first, he has to address this Miz situation. “Mike, you might’ve won the battle, but the war’s just begun. I will see you when I see you. And John Cena… The GOAT, the Last Time Is Now Tournament, you got a long line full of heavy hitters, killers, all wanting to be the one that’s gonna put you down, all wanting to be the one that’s gonna hang your jersey from the rafters. And respectfully, John, I’m one of ’em.
“50% of people might overlook me, 50% of people might think I can get the job done, but 100% of me knows that if I get that shot, I won’t miss.” But then in steps Bronson Reed. He tells Melo that he’s gonna end Cody Rhodes, then he will end John Cena after he ends H1M next week. Bronson heads out, Heyman nods towards Melo, and then The Oracle follows. Will Auszilla be taking it all on the road to the end?
Aleister Black speaks.
“Fear, Damian? That’s so silly that even you don’t believe that. No, no no no. You threw me on top of a table. You tried to throw me through things. And then you took the bottom part of the steel steps, and you tried to crush my head. The only person that fears anything is you. Fear of what we have made you become.” Zelina Vega says, “We said that we would force you to break your code. We said we would corrupt you. And I think we did exactly that.” But enough about him. They have their eyes set on greater things. That brings them to the entire locker room. Namely, those who hold world titles.
Aleister left fear behind the day he stepped foot back into the WWE, and he has become the one thing no one wanted him to become: everyone’s enemy! Does that mean the Dark Father is watching tonight’s main event very, very closely?
Undisputed WWE Championship: Cody Rhodes VS Bronson Reed w/ Paul Heyman!
The American Nightmare and The Colossal Aussie are both preparing for WarGames, and while it is Cody, Punk & The Usos at four against Bronson, Bron Breakker & Logan Paul at three, this could still tip the scales back in The Vision’s favor. Will a Tsunami wash away the reign? Or can Cody escape from New York with the gold?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who can carry that weight!
The bell rings and the fans rally as the two circle. They tie up, Bronson shoves Cody to a corner, but Cody dodges! Bronson hits buckles, Cody fires hands, then kicks to RHODES UPPERCUT! Cody runs to ROCK Bronson, but then Bronson responds with a BODY CHECK! And ELBOW DROP! The fans boo but Bronson covers, ONE! Cody shows toughness and goes to the outside, but Bronson runs in around the way! BODY CHECK! The fans boo, Bronson snarls, and SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Bronson drags Cody up, HEADBUTTS him, then stalks him around the way again. Bronson storms in after Cody, but Cody BODY BLOWS! Cody fires a forearm, but Bronson HEADBUTTS him down! Bronson raises the one but the fans don’t acknowledge their Tribal Thief. Bronson whips and CLOBBERS Cody! Cover, TWO! Bronson drags Cody into a chinlock and leans on the hold, but Cody fights around. Cody reaches out, fights to his feet, and fires body shots. The fans rally as Cody ROCKS Bronson, but Bronson scoops to SLAM Cody! Bronson snarls again, but Cody avoids the elbow drop! Cody rises up, goes to a corner, but Bronson SPLASHES!
Cody sputters against the ropes but Bronson CHOKES him! The ref counts, Bronson steps off at 4, and Cody sputters again. Bronson storms up and ROCKS Cody! Bronson puts Cody in another corner, BODY BLOWS, then whips corner to corner hard! Cody staggers, falls over, and Bronson drags Cody back up. Bronson has a chinbar, and he stretches Cody with the chinlock. Cody endures, fights back up, and SmackDown returns to single picture. The fans rally but Bronson CLUBS Cody, then back suplexes! Cody lands out, ducks a haymaker, and springboards! BEAUTIFUL DISASTER KICK!
The fans fire up and Cody rises, but so does Bronson. Cody JABS, JABS, JABS, then flip, flop, and fly! BIONIC- NO! Fireman’s carry, JAGGED EDGE! Cover, TWO! Cody survives but Bronson goes up! The fans freak out for the TSUNAMI, but it FLOPS as Cody moves! Cody hurries to springboards again, SUPER CODY CUTTER!! Cover, TWO! Cody fires up and the fans are with him! Bronson is outside, Cody runs and DIVES, but into a forearm! Cody stumbles and staggers o the outside, Bronson runs up, but Cody TOSSES him into the timekeeper’s area! The fans fire up again and Cody refreshes the ring count.
Cody clears off the desk! HE even topples the belt pedestal! But BRON BREAKKER FLYING SHOULDER TACKLES!!
Winner: Cody Rhodes, by disqualification (still Undisputed WWE Champion)
Logan Paul is here, too! They mug Cody, SMACK him off the desk, then put him back in the ring! Was this the real plan all along? The fans boo as Bron rains down fists, then Logan gets his turn! Bron rips his shirt away and wants Logan to set Cody up. Logan does as told, but THE USOS hurry out here! Jey & Jimmy said they’d have Cody’s back, so they get in the ring to brawl with Logan and Bron! The fans fire up, but Bron shoves Jimmy! Jimmy SUPERKICKS Bron! Jey joins in, DOUBLE SUPERKICKS! Bron falls, Logan runs up, DOUBLE SUPERKICKS! Then the ONE D!! That’s one and done for The Maverick!
The fans fire up as now Jimmy decides to GET THE TABLE! The fans are thunderous as Jimmy puts that in for Jey, Jey sets it up, and the fans are all fired up! Logan is put on the table, the Usos go to the corners, but DREW MCINTYRE SHOVES JIMMY! Isn’t he suspended!? Jey runs up, but he gets a GLASGOW KISS HEADBUTT!! The fans boo as Drew saves Logan’s bacon! Aldis storms out here, asks what the hell Drew is doing here, and Heyman claims this is per the WarGames contract! Heyman could recruit anybody under WWE contract, even suspended superstars! Drew sets the table up in a corner, and he drags Jey Uso!
But Jey breaks free to SUPERKICK! The fans cheer as Jey now lines up a shot, but Drew KICKS first! Bron returns to SPEAR Jey through the table!! Jimmy is back to throw hands, but Logan uses ONE LUCKY RIGHT to knock Jimmy out! The fans boo, but now Cody is back! He throws hands on Drew and Logan, but a CLAYMORE takes Cody out! Drew throws off his shirt, he stares down with Bronson, and then Drew puts Cody in the drop zone! Drew step on Cody before the TSUNAMI hits!! The fans are either booing or desperately calling for CM Punk, but it is clear The Vision was thinking ahead.
Drew takes the contract from Heyman and they shake hands on the deal. The numbers are even, but will the odds be in The Vision’s favor now that they have a Scottish Terminator on their side?
My Thoughts:
A great SmackDown here, with quite a lot of surprises and big moves as perhaps a response to the sinking ratings and sinking interest. Charlotte not automatically being onboard with the team-up was certainly surprising, but given that 4v3 ambush backstage, that will surely compel Charlotte to join up. She’ll see it’s not about her and Rhea getting along so much as as it is them getting to beat up on their enemies, as we knew going into this. Then I would think they still bring in Stephanie Vaquer and Nikki Bella as the fifth members for each side, to help build the title story on top of everything else, jus as I said on Monday.
Obviously Cody wasn’t going to lose the Undisputed Championship tonight, but that was a great move to bolster the show’s card and give an excuse for all the Men’s WarGames build tonight. Logan & Bron being here to help Bronson was a given, and Heyman using a unique WarGames contract to bring Drew McIntyre onboard was certainly a clever move. As I figured on Monday, Jimmy Uso was a natural addition to Team Cody, or maybe it’s Team Punk. And I would certainly think Roman Reigns will also be a natural addition to this match, but I’m curious as to the fifth man for The Vision. Would Lesnar really want to be in WarGames? Well, granted, he’d be the last person to enter the match and “clear house,” but he’d still have to get in there.
Great stuff with the US Championship, such as Ilja continuing to troll Ciampa. Ilja VS Axiom was awesome, through I swear I heard one drunken idiot slurring the word, “BORING~!” That person is the kind of American fan Gunther (and therefore Zack Sabre Jr.) was talking about, IYKYK. But in the end, I figured we’d get more DIY VS Fraxiom, and maybe after that, Ciampa finally gets his match with Ilja. Great promo from Sami with Solo, and great ambush from Team Sami on MFT to set up their own 5v5. I figured that if they weren’t doing the WarGames, they’d get to do the traditional Survivor Series match, and the go-home SmackDown continues to be a substitute for the kickoff show, but in the best way possible.
Another hilarious promo with Truth and Aldis, and Chelsea joining in so we can hype up a celebration certainly teases someone interrupting. Either Giulia is going to crash the party to demand a US Championship rematch, or they plug NXT Gold Rush by having Thea Hail & Joe Hendry get the better of them ahead of the AAA Mixed Tag Team Championship match. I’m leaning more towards the former, they’ll build the tag match plenty on NXT. And speaking of Truth, a shame he doesn’t get in on the final part of the bracket, but Melo VS Bronson and Penta VS Finn will be great matches. With Bronson busy with The Vision’s story, I would hope Melo wins, and it’d be great if they teased a Boston VS Boston showdown.
Jade of course beat B-Fab tonight but that was pretty good for what was basically a squash match. Michin probably gets a match with Jade next, and likely loses that. Jade’s first title defense could be Survivor Series to basically be a buffer between the WarGames matches but also to just get one on the books. There’s a lot on hold for right now with the WarGames matches having a lot of great contenders involved, but I would think we get some Charlotte VS Jade build on the other side of Survivor Series.
And of course, great matches for the Last Time is Now tournament. Jey VS Miz was a great match, and Miz hitting Cena’s moves was an appreciated reference. But I figured Jey would win, they wanna tease a rematch of the Royal Rumble finalists from earlier this year. Matt Cardona was a great surprise, though him being Zack Ryder was perhaps even more surprising. People have been talking about Knight being punished and that he was being set up to lose, but if commentary is talking about that concept, then you know that is not the case. Great win for Knight, great showing for Cardona/Ryder, and here’s hoping Ryder gets to do more in WWE from here on.
My Score: 8.9/10
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
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CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
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Coverage
Andrew’s TNA Live! iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 11.13.2025
With a month off, does TNA come back hot or with 87% talking and a show that should’ve been an email?
So last week was the definition of a filler episode with nothing really to speak of except for validating the Dani Luna versus Indi Hartwell match tonight. This is the first real iMPACT! episode since Bound For Glory and…it’s probably opening with Mike Santana talking. TNA needs to stop following the cookie patterns of WWE and you know…start with something interesting after nearly a month off. But let’s listen to talking…
Rascalz vs. The System at #TNATurningPoint!?@TheMooseNation @Myers_Wrestling @TheEddieEdwards @MrsAIPAlisha @DirtyDangoCurty @TheBadReed @ZacharyWentz
WATCH #TNAiMPACT LIVE on TNA+: https://t.co/OPjzyXNgY5 pic.twitter.com/cwwHo3IbwL
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) November 14, 2025
Ratings:
- Dani Luna vs Indi Hartwell: Dani wins via DQ – ** 1/2
- Jason Hotch w/Order 4 vs Cedric Alexander: Cedric wins via Lumbar Check – ** 1/4
- TNA Knockouts Championship: Heather by Elegance w/ M & Personal Concierge vs Kelani Jordan (c): Kelani retains via One of a Kind – (-*) – yes that’s Negative 1
- TNA World Championship: Mike Santana (c) vs Ryan Nemeth: No Contest – NXT Attacks
- TNA World Championship: Mike Santana (c) vs Kaz: Kazarian wins via Roll-Up – * – TITLE CHANGE!!!
Results:
Oh look, it does open with Mike and the crowd gives him the “You Deserve It” and it’s a sparse few minutes and Mike starts his promo in Spanish, so that’s a good way to make people ignore the show in three minutes. I understand Spanish, but let’s be honest, the bulk of people who watch are whiter than copy paper, so the whole “Champ is here in Orlando, for Puerto Ricans, and others…blah blah” is not a smart way to open after a month with no real content. So after Santana says nothing in two languages, Ryan Nemeth comes out to Nic’s music because Nic isn’t there. Ryan tries to talk some shit and go for a cheap shot, Santana catches his hand, emasculates him and then tells Ryan he’s going to tell Santino to make a match between the two of them tonight, and he’s going to drop Ryan. So we’ve got a squash match to look forward too and maybe Nic showing up at the end for a beat down.
Kelani is going to have to go through Heather tonight and M tomorrow at Turning Point. So we get another crappy promo from heel Kelani, giving her free title defenses. Yikes…this is bad, I do kinda like the gimmick of Xia translating for Lei since Xia, Lei and Mara crash the interview. But it just makes me angry that one of those three don’t have the belt. Kelani ain’t worth a damn.
After the commercial we get Santino, Ava and Arianna to promote Gold Rush. And then they showed a video package of it, so a complete waste of 4 minutes aside from noting that Arianna got a chant from the crowd. She’s gotten herself over decently to the TNA crowd.
Dani Luna vs Indi Hartwell
It has been 30 minutes and we get the first match…sheesh.
Indi with back to back Double Legs, Dani is getting worked over, Dani tries a Sunset Flip but Indi stops it and drops an elbow. Dani eats Chops, tries to Whip Indi to the corner, Up and Over and Indi takes Dani down and goes back to the chops. Dani finally blocks a Scoop Slam, but Indi blocks the attempted German Suplex so Dani drives her into the corner and finally gets some offense in. A bit of a botchy looking rope straddle where Indi had to lift herself back up to eat the Lariat. Big Power Whip bouncing Indi out of the corner, sliding Lariat for a near fall.
Jaw Jacker by Indi but she misses the Yakuza Kick, gets hung up, Dani tries to turn it into a Powerbomb but a Frankensteiner Counter and a few strikes forces Dani to powder. Indi tries to throw her into the steps, Dani stops herself and turns back into the Spinebuster. Indi to the top as Dani crawls into the ring and eats a Diving Elbow to the back for a near fall. Dani counters Hurts Donut, Shotgun Kick levels Indi. Dani is on the outside looking for a weapon, throws out the Time Keeper, grabs the chair, Indi catches Dani in the Small Package for 2. Indi grabs the chair and lays into Dani.
Indi…has no facial expressions to make sense of this. This is stupid, poorly acted by Indi but the crowd is eating it up like morons. That was the most boring “take out your aggression” I’ve ever seen. Indi cuts some mid ahh promo in the back about an NoDQ match or something at Turning Point and now The System comes out to guess what? If you said TALK, you’d be correct! Assuming this isn’t a rib, the most interesting thing to come from this is Dango announcing he’s retiring after Genesis, but then The Rascalz music hits.
They say they should give the people what they want, and Dezmond Xavier returns to The Rascalz for a 4 on 4 match. They never mentioned Dez by name, but that is the implication. So with JDC retiring and Dez potentially returning, at least that’s interesting.
Jason Hotch w/Order 4 vs Cedric Alexander
Shoulder tackles and a quick Cruiser style start, Hotch powders mid running to pose and act smart so Cedric Dives to wipe out Jason and hits the Flatliner in the middle of the ring for a near fall. Cedric tries to continue and Hotch pulls the tights to send Cedric through the ropes, Skyler takes a cheap shot. Hotch with the Irish Whip, Cedric puts the brakes on, so Hotch hops the ropes and trips up Cedric, but Cedric comes back when Hotch continues, Dropkick to the back of the head, Lumbar Check attempt, but nope, back and forth, Hotch tries the Chaos Theory but Cedric blocks the Suplex, they throw into the corner, Hotch hops the rope, wants the Gamengiri, but Cedric blocks it and backs up, Rolling Neckbreaker from Hotch gets countered into a Lumbar Check! Cedric wins!
Order 4 attempted beat down, but Hardy Boyz make the save, Swanton on Ali is teased but they pull Ali out for foreshadowing.
TNA Knockouts Championship: Heather by Elegance w/ M & Personal Concierge vs Kelani Jordan (c)
Well talk about mental gymnastics to try and make this match make sense, and list this under “who asked for this” – because I’d rather drink bleach in traffic than watch this match.
Color by numbers powder moment, commercial break immediately and I can feel the coma sinking in. Kelani with a bad kick, Heather with a bad Hip Toss right off the commercial…Christ, end this. Lei, Xia and Mara are watching from the back and they look as bored as I do Heather with a clunky Drop Toe Hold into a Hesitation Dropkick for two. Jaw Jacker from Kelani…I wonder how the Patriots and Jets game is going. Hmm, 14-7 for the Pats, closer than expected.
Heather and Lani do a dumb strike exchange since there’s no hatred, heat or fire in this match, Kelani with a Cartwheel move, Facebuster, all near falls, locomotion Cradles into a bad Super Kick. Heather botches a Satellite DDT, this is one of the worst matches I’ve seen all year. Sloppy, slow, clunky and botchy. One of Kind is hit, no one is surprised. This was a waste of 10 minutes.
Great, now we sit through an Elijah concert for prolly about 10-15 minutes since the Ryan vs Santana match isn’t gonna be a real match. I like Elijah, he’s actually a pretty good singer and the gimmick is fine. But this episode has been complete garbage, so more non-wrestling on the wrestling variety show is too much.
Ali comes out to interrupt and challenge Cedric and Hardyz, Elijah wants to pick the fight, but Ali cracks him in the face with the mic and then guitar shot on the injured triceps. Meh.
TNA World Championship: Mike Santana (c) vs Ryan Nemeth
Ryan grabs a mic and yells at the crowd because they won’t cheer for him, and Santana lets happen because Santana isn’t taking the seriously. Ryan even tries to ask the referee to make them cheer. Eventually the bell rings and Ryan attacks immediately, punches into an Irish Whip and Dropkick. Ryan tries the Whip again, but Up and Over, Santana catches the foot, Ryan shakes his head when Santana berates him and drops him, throws him to the other corner, Cannonball! Ryan wants to Spin the Block, but Nic’s Music Hits, he’s carrying the trophy but someone attacks Nic.
Then a bunch of NXT people spill out of the crowd and attack. Charlie Dempsey, Lexis King…and others. I think Robert Stone is directing traffic for NXT. But this…this is what the show was hinging on, an Invasion/Overrun angle? Bad booking is bad, ya know?
TNA World Champuonship: Mike Santana (c) vs Kaz
Kaz’s music hits, he calls his shot, Fade to Black, but Santana Kicks out. Frankie tries the Chicken Wing, Santana slams him into the corner, wants Spin the Block, but the beatdown stops him from being able to execute the move, Roll-Up, and Santana…loses. Frankie Kazarian is the new World Champion.

Overall Score: 3/10
There was something interesting with Dango being on the retirement tour, The Rascalz bringing Dez home and Lei Ying and Xia’s gimmick is endearing. Plus like I said in the rundown, I enjoy Elijah’s musicianship, but I don’t appreciate a Wrestling Show basically no wrestling. Is it variety? Sure, but it’s a wrestling show first. So a show that has 3 squash matches and a 5 minute X Division match that could’ve been much better with time…the wrestling was forgotten tonight. A month off and they lost the plot on the rebound. Ugh…I’ve had diarrhea more enjoyable than this.
The Invasion/Attack is corny but Kaz managing to pull off the Cash In, is…okay I didn’t see it coming, but it doesn’t save the show being awful.

About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!


