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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Guns up for all the Jacksonville Gold Members!
Another three hour block of All Elite Wrestling starts with a Collision! But will the Bang Bang Gang still be the best three man unit ever? Or will Top Flight go from the coldest to the goldest trio in the game?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- The Acclaimed VS Grizzled Young Veterans; win.
- Toni Storm w/ Mariah May & Luther VS Anna Jay; wins.
- Unified AEW & ROH World Trios Championships: Bullet Club Gold VS Top Flight; wins and
PLAY BY PLAY
[Coverage will begin after the NBA Playoffs on TNT]
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And with the first overall pick of the 2024 WWE Draft, SmackDown selects…
The WWE Draft returns for 2024, the first four rounds being right here on Friday Night SmackDown! With champions protected, who ends up where to challenge them?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee w/ Zelina Vega & Carlito VS Angel Garza & Humberto Carrillo; Rey & Dragon win.
- Bron Breakker VS Cedric Alexander; Bron wins.
- WWE Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Naomi VS Tiffany Stratton; No Contest.
- Cody Rhodes VS Carmelo Hayes; Cody wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Backstage interview with Paul Heyman.
Kayla Braxton is with the Wise Man and says that here on night one of the Draft, there are already rumors circulating, including those about The Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns. Heyman will clarify these are not rumors regarding The Tribal Chief, Roman… Reigns. These are facts! Ladies and gentlemen, Your Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns, has voluntarily withdrawn from eligibility for this year’s Draft. That is not a negative but a positive. Who built SmackDown since the Pandemic? Roman Reigns. Who is the biggest star in the entire industry? Roman Reigns. Why would Roman Reigns hog the number one draft pick spotlight when he won’t be returning in the immediate future?
Read into his words, Kayla, that is not what a real Tribal Chief would do. Instead now, the pressure is on Nick Aldis. Because if Roman Reigns isn’t the first draft pick, then who is? The first two picks make history in a brand new era. And Heyman doesn’t know about you, but he is intrigued. No Tribal Chief up for grabs, who gets their opportunity to shine in the spotlight?
SmackDown throws it to the NXT Performance Center.
Jackie Redmond says the emotion down here is palpable! There is excitement, hope, and a little bit of nerves. But for these NXT Superstars, tonight is the culmination of a lifetime of hard work, dedication, a little bit of luck and a whole lot of self-belief. It was just last year that the NEW WWE Tag Team Champion, Grayson Waller, was hoping his name would be called. And it is funny this is NXT, but time to buy a vowel, throw in an E! Who is next? We find out tonight! The draft pool is deep, who rises to the top of the list?
Corey Graves is in the ring.
Corey welcomes Cincinnati and all of us at home to night one of the 2024 WWE Draft. Understandably, the GMs have their hands full, so Corey will be moderating the contract signing for the WWE Championship match that takes place next Saturday for Backlash: France. Without further ado, it’s the #1 contender, The Phenomenal AJ Styles! Styles makes his entrance, taking a seat at the table on camera right. And now, the Undisputed WWE Champion, the American Nightmare, Cody Rhodes! Cincy fires up and sings along, “WHOA~ OH~!” as Cody makes his entrance and gets his pyro before joining everyone in the ring.
Styles looks over the contract, absolutely tuning out the fans going wild for “CODY! CODY!” Styles then gets the mic to say before he signs, he doesn’t know if we realize that we’ve got two Georgia boys about to mix it up for the first time, and for the biggest prize in the game. Styles understands why they boo, but they gotta know that he doesn’t respect LA Knight, LA Knight got under his skin. He accepts that. But that’s why Styles lost at Mania. But what happened? Styles got his composure back and realized that he is Phenomenal. Styles BEAT Knight to earn the right to face Cody Rhodes at Backlash.
Now unlike Knight, Styles does respect Cody. They hadn’t crossed paths yet, but they’ve been down the same roads. They had to prove themselves outside of the WWE. And Styles is willing to believe that the same man who gave him advice a long time ago gave Cody the same advice, on how to stand on their own two feet and be the men they are today. That man was The American Dream, Dusty Rhodes. The fans cheer for “DUSTY! DUSTY!” Styles learned a lot from Dusty. Styles gets a little emotional thinking about Dusty, he was a good man. Dusty taught Styles how to carry himself, and to carry the weight of a championship.
And Styles looks at this WWE Championship here. The weight of this isn’t just the leather and gold. And at Backlash, we see if Cody can carry it. Styles goes back to his table, signs the contract, and then hands it off to Corey. Corey brings that to Cody, and Cody picks up his mic. “So… Cincinnati…! Whadda we wanna talk about? Certainly, we can talk about respect. There is not a locker room on Earth that you’ll find where everyone in it, every single person, they all respect AJ Styles. Last week, I went on to say you are the modern day Excellence of Execution. I respect the roads that you have traveled down to get here, the parallel paths that perhaps you and I have.
“Mutual respect, much respect. But that respect goes by the wayside at Backlash. I can feel it in your words to a degree. You’ve been here before. And it seems you’re implying that I cannot carry the weight of that championship. Well, good thing the man who trained me not far from where I sit now used to tell me all the time, it’s not about winning the title, it’s about keeping it.” The fans cheer that. Cody says boy does he respect Styles’ familiarity with Cody’s last name. But when you put C O D Y in front of it on this paper, that means they’ve never touched before. That means Backlash is a level playing field.
That means no matter how Phenomenal Styles is, this isn’t a dream match for Cody. It’s a must-win! Cody signs while the fans cheer, and it is official! Cody even throws the pen to the crowd as a free souvenir. Cody then offers a handshake, and Styles says y’know what? It was a beautiful thing to see Cody #FInishTheStory and win the title. But it’s a shame that Cody’s title reign will end at Backlash. Styles still shakes Cody’s hand, and then walks away. Cody picks up the belt and holds it high, will he get to hold it high again in Lyon, France?
Triple H is here!
Just as Cody was on his way to the back, The Game makes his way out here! HHH raises Cody’s hand, then invites him over to the podium. HHH welcomes us to the first round of the 2024 WWE Draft. It is a night that changes the landscape of the WWE going into the future, and things are a bit different this year. As the GMs ponder their next steps, they have to understand it is about protecting the roster they have as it is making the roster they want. Meaning that when they use their picks, they have just as much of a chance gaining a superstar as they do losing one they already have.
HHH just felt that since champs are protected and Cody will be staying here on SmackDown, maybe Cody could help read the SmackDown picks and HHH can read the Raw picks. And since SmackDown goes first, Cody reads first. Cody takes the card to say that with the first pick of the 2024 WWE Draft, SmackDown selects… The E S T, Bianca Belair! The stongEST, fastEST, roughEST, toughEST stays on Friday nights! HHH reads that for the second pick of the 2024 WWE Draft, Raw selects… YEET! JEY USO! Monday nights will still have Main Event Jey Uso! And the fans “YEET!” Cody says for the third pick, SmackDown selects… NXT’s Carmelo Hayes!
The fans fire up as SmackDown manages to snag… HIM! The former NXT Champion makes history again by being the first NXT superstar to be chosen this high in the Draft! HHH says that’s a hell of a pick. But then the fourth and final pick of this first round, Raw selects… SETH! FREAKIN’! ROLLINS! It is still going to be Monday Night Rollins as the Visionary stays on the red brand! Cody and HHH shake hands, and then Melo makes his way out! Melo has the mic to say when they talk about who’s next up, about who’s the hottest out, they don’t call them “the hottest out,” they just call him “Carmelo Hayes.”
The fans chant “WHOOP DAT TRICK!” to remind Melo how he’s leaving NXT. Melo says okay, okay. But then to Cody Rhodes, ever since Cody won the title, he’s been talking about “If you aim for the king, you best not miss.” Well, funny how that works. Because when Melo shoots, Melo don’t miss. And as a first round draft pick, what better way to shoot his shot on SmackDown than to shoot it right at Cody? Melo leaves the mic with Cody but Cody picks it up to say, “Fortune certainly favors the bold, but I dunno. You folks don’t wanna see me in action tonight, do ya?” The fans go wild! Oh, but what if Cody forgot his gear?
Oh that’s right! He didn’t forget his gear! And this title right here, for Cody, means absolutely 100%, Melo’s on! They shake on it, and we’re about to see a huge first-time-ever showdown! But will this bold first move work out for… HIM?
Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee w/ Zelina Vega & Carlito VS Angel Garza & Humberto Carrillo!
The LWO is still not convinced Legado Del Fantasma had nothing to do with the beating that took the Boy Wonder out ahead of WrestleMania. Will the King of Lucha help get to the bottom of things? Or will Angel & “Berto” make it as easy as ABC, 1-2-3?
The teams sort out, Dragon runs up on Humberto but Humberto LARIATS him down! Humberto drags Dragon up, tears the shirt away and CHOPS! Humberto whips, Dragon ducks ‘n’ dodges to RANA! Humberto tumbles out, Dragon builds speed and FLIES! Direct hit and down goes Humberto! The fans fire up as Dragon pushes Humberto into the ring, goes up a corner, and then CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! Dragon facelocks to drag Humberto up, but Humberto wrenches out to CLUB Dragon down. Humberto waistlocks but Dragon throws elbows. Angel tags in as Humberto shoves Dragon. Dragon ducks but Angel holds ropes open, and Dragon tumbles to the floor!
The fans boo and LWO hurries to check on Dragon! Angel & Humberto just soak up the heat as SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and both Dragon and Humberto are down! They crawl, hot tags to Angel and Rey! The fans fire up as Rey ducks ‘n’ dodges and tilt-o-whirl RANAS! Angel ends up in a corner, he puts Rey on the apron, but Rey ROCKS Angel! Rey goes up to SEATED SENTON! Rey keeps moving, wrenches and kicks, then hops on! CODE RED! Cover, Humberto breaks it! The fans boo but Humberto hauls Rey up. Rey fights and RANAS Humberto up and out! But Angelo kicks, scoops, but Rey slips free! Angelo kicks low, reels REy in, and underhooks, but Rey fights those to RANA Angel onto ropes! Rey dials it up to 619!
Tag to Dragon and he takes aim! Angel stands, into the tilt-o-whirl, PROJECT DRAGON!! Cover, LWO wins!
Winners: Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee, by pinfall
Carlito and Zelina hug it out with the team, but then Santos Escobar & Elektra Lopez walk out here. Santos says whoa, whoa, whoa, hold that celebration. Because Santos is many things, but a liar is not one of them. And when Santos said he did NOT attack Dragon that night before Mania, he meant it. Elektra has been working for weeks to track down the security footage from that night. And Rey… Oh, Rey. What you’re about to see, you will find very, very interesting. The footage plays, and it was CARLITO!! Carlito throw Dragon around backstage! No one can believe it, because of how well Carlito fooled even Dragno.
Speaking of, Carlito RAMS Dragon into Rey, then hits a BACKSTABBER! Never has that move’s name been more fitting! Carlito runs away in a panic, and Rey stands back up in a rage! Santos says he told Rey that he was right all along. They were supposed to be family, and yet look how that turned out. How will the LWO recover from this shocking development?
Bron Breakker VS Cedric Alexander!
The Big Bad Booty Nephew has been making a case for himself ever since showing up on SmackDown, and he’s already bringing the straps down! Is he going to break PRIMED Alexander while also breaking match time records? Or will Cedric prove he’s too fly for Bron?
The bell rings and Cedric dodges Bron to CHOP and ROCK! Cedric whips, Bron reverses and Cedric handsprings, into a SPEAR!! Cover, Bron wins!
Winner: Bron Breakker, by pinfall
Well, hard to say if that’s an all-time fast match, but that was a fast match! QR Code stuff going on, but will we all see Bron take the world by storm?
Nick Aldis heads out.
And waiting is Tiffany Stratton. She asks if he saw what she did last week. Wait, of course he did. Because she is the Center of the Universe. She dropped Naomi and Bayley, where is her title match? Aldis tells Tiff to look at his watch. It is NOT set to #TiffyTime. And he was this close to sending her to the back of the line. But then someone convinced him otherwise, good for her. Tonight, she goes 1v1 with Naomi again, and the winner faces Bayley for the title at Backlash. Whose stupid idea was that?! Bayley says DING DONG, it was hers. It is a win-win situation here. If Naomi wins, she gets the match she got cheated out of.
And if Tiff wins, then she’ll find out when she attacks the Role Model. Tiff gasps as she has a #TiffanyEpiphany. Bayley should be ringside for that match so she can see Tiff do what Bayley couldn’t, and that’s beat Naomi. Tootles. Tiff leaves, but will the only thing she gets is to #FeelTheGlow?
Michelle McCool and Torrie Wilson are here!
One is a former WWE Women’s Champion, the other is a WWE Hall of Famer, but they’re both here to present Draft picks! Michelle says with the first pick of the second round, SmackDown selects… The Viper, Randy Orton! SmackDown will still have to watch out for an RKO outta nowhere! Torrie says that with the second pick of the second round, Raw selects… BRON BREAKKER! We just saw Bron make quick work of opponents here on SmackDown, but now he’s gonna be rampaging on Raw!
Michelle says that with the third pick of the second round, SmackDown selects… NIA JAX! The Irresistible Force may have to change targets from the Women’s World to the Undisputed Women’s title, but will she be unstoppable all the same? And with the fourth and final pick of this round, Raw selects… LIV MORGAN! The Revenge Tour will still be part of Monday nights, will we watch Liv rise to the top?
The Bloodline arrives backstage.
Paul Heyman is there to greet them and open the door to the SUV. He apologizes for not being faster about that, but Solo Sikoa asks The Bloodline if they’ve been drafted. Not yet. Then give Solo the details. Okay, well, Roman Reigns withdrew right before the show began, and then Solo keeps adding members, so no one really knows what they’re getting if they draft The Bloodline! Solo sighs, and here comes Tama Tonga. Heyman asks they be patient but Solo wants Heyman to repeat that for him. Heyman gets scared, but then KEVIN OWENS jumps in! Kevin fires off on Tama, security and refs rush in to stop it!
The Prizefighter wants Solo’s “MFT” to bring the fight like he did last week! Security still drags Kevin away, but will he get that fight he wants?
Kayla Braxton is on stage.
SmackDown returns and Kayla welcomes us back to the show. And please welcome out the first overall pick, Bianca Belair! The fans fire up as The EST walks out on stage, and Kayla congratulates her on being the first overall pick. But let’s talk Backlash. Breaking news, Bianca and Jade Cargill are going to challenge for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships, against the Kabuki Warriors. How satisfying would it be to dethrone them on the stage of this magnitude? Bianca says so satisfying. She really hopes Jade gets drafted to SmackDown because given all this history with Damage CTRL, all the partners by her side, Bianca has never been the one to finally end it with them.
For everything they’ve done to her and this division, Bianca feels Jade is the perfect woman to help her end this. Now, DMG CTRL is falling apart piece by piece, and that final piece is the tag titles. So once Bianca & Jade take the gold at Backlash, the Kabuki Warriors won’t even have a reason to come back to SmackDown. But wait, they’re here now! Asuka & Kairi walk out here and Kayla moves aside. The Empress of Tomorrow and the Pirate Princess taunt the EST, but here comes The Storm! Jade makes her way to stand right by Bianca’s side. The four shout and argue, but this will be settled on May 4th!
WHOA! Tama and Kevin are brawling their way out here! The ladies move aside so the gentlemen can brawl all the way down to ringside! Tama hits low, gets in the ring, but Kevin pursues! Kevin TACKLES Tama, but Solo CLOBBERS Kevin! The fans boo as The Bloodline beats Kevin down! The refs hurry out here but clearly Solo’s Bloodline won’t listen! Tama DECKS producers, DECKS guards, HEADBUTTS them, throws hands and even THROWS the guards! Tama and Solo beat Kevin down again, but here comes Randy Orton! The Viper is still on SmackDown and he’s still pals with Kevin, so here he comes!
Orton DECKS Tama, fires hands on Solo, then RK- NO, Solo gets free and gets away! Orton wants to pursue, almost runs Jamie Noble and refs over to do it, but the Bloodline has gotten away! The fans cheer Randy on, and KAevin even hugs him! But then Kevin and Randy try to give chase! Security stops this, when and where will we see #RKKO strike down Solo and Tama?
The Dudley Boyz are here!
The fans fire up as Bubba Ray & D-Von are both here for the next round of picks! Cincy chants for “E C DUB! E C DUB!” Bubba and D-Von look at the cards, it’s hard to read. So out come the glasses! Bubba says with the first pick of the third round of the 2024 WWE Draft, SmackDown selects… L A KNIGHT! YEAH!! The Mega Star stays on Fridays! D-Von says with the second pick of the third round, Raw selects… RICOCHET! Mondays still has the One and Only, is Ricochet going to bring that WWE Speed Championship home to Raw, too?
Bubba says with the third pick of the third round, SmackDown selects… THE BLOODLINE! That means Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga and Paul Heyman are staying right here on Friday nights. And D-Von says with the final pick of this round, Raw selects… SHEAMUS! The Celtic Warrior just got back, but he won’t have to worry about going anywhere else but Monday nights.
WWE Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Naomi VS Tiffany Stratton!
It’s time to run it back once again! The Glow got robbed by the Spoiled Rich Girl, but supposedly, it’s #TiffyTime. Will Naomi prove there’s no such time on the clock? Or will Bayley be the one feeling the Backlash over giving Tiffany one more chance?
The bell rings and Naomi hits a THESZ PRESS! Naomi rains down fists, Tiffy shoves her away and goes to ropes, but Naomi gets up in Tiff’s face. Naomi whips, Tiff holds ropes to bail out and fans boo. Naomi scowls, runs in and WRECKS Tiff with a dropkick! Naomi then gets Tiff up, SMACKS her off the apron, and then SMACKS her off it again! And again! Naomi puts Tiff in, goes up a corner, but Tiff gets under the jump! Naomi runs back up but Tiff YANKS her into ropes! Tiff runs to HIP ATTACK! Naomi sputters, Tiff scowls and drags Naomi up, to then put through ropes. But Naomi RAMS into Tiff!
Naomi reels Tiff in, for a HEATSEEKER! Tiff flops to the floor, and then Naomi SPLIT LEG DROPS! Naomi says it’s #NaomiTime, but SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Naomi runs, but into a SPINEBUSTER! High stack, TWO! Naomi survives and Tiff is frustrated but the fans rally up. Tiff drags Naomi up, whips her to a corner, but Naomi goes up and sunset flips! TWO! Tiff escapes, knees Naomi low, then whips. Naomi slides under the lariat to then mule kick! Then she headscissor SPIKES Tiff down! Cover, TWO! Tiff survives but barely, and Naomi keeps her cool. Naomi headlocks, but Tiff shoves her into buckles! Tiff runs, but Naomi follows, DOUBLE RUNNING FACEBUSTERS take them both down! The fans fire up as the two rise!
Naomi KICKS, ROCKS and ROCKS Tiff again! Naomi fires shots again and again but Tiff knees low! Tiff reels Naomi in, but Naomi wrenches out to ENZIGIRI! And then BUCKLE BULLDOG! But then NIA JAX attacks Bayley!? Nia SMACKS Bayley off buckles, rains down fists, and this momentarily distracts Naomi. Naomi refocuses, but by now, Tiff’s slipped away! Nia KICKS Bayley in the side, so Naomi goes out to ROCK her! Nia POSTS Naomi and that throws the match out!
No Contest
The fans boo as Nia ruins the fun, then runs Bayley over! Nia smiles as she blows kisses to Cincy. Tiff smiles, she drags Naomi up and puts her in the ring. Then she drags Bayley in! Tiff wants a repeat of last week as she puts them side by side in the drop zone! Tiff then goes up and up for the PRETTIEST MOONSAULT EVER!! Tiff says it’s her time, but the #1 contendership is still in question. Who gets their shot at the Role Model at Backlash?
B-Fab and the Street Profits meet up backstage.
Angelo Dawkins has a “WHO-DEY” sign, but Montez Ford is wondering where Bobby Lashley is right now. B-Fab says calm down, he’ll be here. Byron Saxton walks over and apologizes for interrupting. He doesn’t know what the Draft destination for this group will be until Monday Night Raw, but we do know that The Profits will challenge A-Town Down Under for the WWE Tag Team Championships. YESSIIIIIIR~! B-Fab says it doesn’t matter where they get drafted. The Profits are going to take down A-Town Down Under and take those titles. Then they’ll have their first class tickets right back to SmackDown.
SmackDown? Did someone say SmackDown~? In walk Austin Theory & Grayson Waller, showing off the titles. And Theory says you can’t have SmackDown without the GREATEST undefeated tag team of all time. And sorry, Dawkins, but these are championships, something the Bengals know nothing about! B-Fab keeps Dawkins back, but then in steps Bobby Lashley! The All Mighty scares Theory & Waller right off, and Dawkins says see y’all next Friday! Will there be nothing keeping these Profits down the night before Backlash?
The Final Testament speaks.
Karrion Kross says good evening. What’s going on here? You guessed it! More random acts of violence! Just follow him. Kross & Scarlett lead the way to show The Authors of Pain beating down New Catch Republic! Rezar beats down Pete Dunne while Akam victimizes Tyler Bate! Paul Ellering says they will know about sacrifice! Kross says whether they get drafted to Raw or stay on SmackDown, the violence will continue until they get what they want! So sayeth The Final Testament!!
Teddy Long and JBL are here!
The Hall of Famer General Manager and the Hall of Famer WWE Champion are both here, ready to give us the fourth and final round of picks tonight! Teddy gets right to it! The first pick of the fourth round, SmackDown selects… AJ STYLES! The Phenomenal One is really an obvious choice, because one way or another, the WWE Championship stays with SmackDown! JBL says the second pick of the fourth round, Raw selects… THE ALPHA ACADEMY! Raw keeps Chad Gable, Otis, Maxxine Dupri & Akira Tozawa, A THANK YEW~!
Teddy says with the third pick of this round, SmackDown selects… ANDRADE! A big move as now El Idolo will be part of Friday nights. And with the final pick of this fourth round, Raw selects… NXT’S Kiana James! The Calculator, the former NXT Women’s Tag Team Champion, has the Raw hat to put on, and after a quick hype package, Jackie Redmond is there to interview her. Kiana, congratulations! You are heading to Monday Night Raw! How much does this mean to her? This means the world to her. She is filled with gratitude, but also knows every decision she has made up to this point has been by design to get her here.
Kiana is so proud of her time in NXT, but she’s ready to show Raw why she is the One Percent. Was she surprised? Of course she was! HBK is here to wish her luck and congratulations. Is Kiana going to start the hostile takeover of the Raw Women’s Division?
Backstage interview with Nick Aldis.
Kayla is with the SmackDown GM and says that with night one in the books, how does he feel about SmackDown’s selections? He feels really good about them. SmackDown’s future is bright, he can’t wait for the new recruits to show up and show out for the blue brand. But he also wants to turn attentions to Backlash, because he’s got some new matches to announce! The first PLE in France, this is exciting stuff, Kayla. Aldis says that the WWE Women’s Championship will now be on the line in a Triple Threat! Bayley VS Naomi VS Tiffany Stratton! Will the odds make it that much harder for the Role Model to succeed?
There’s one more match to announce, but Aldis will let the GM GOAT take it from here. Teddy Long steps in, and don’t forget. We’ll talk about this tag team match. The Bloodline VS Kevin Owens & Randy Orton! Holla, players. Solo & Tama will have to face The Viper and the Prizefighter, will #RKKO strike fast and strike hard?
Cody Rhodes VS Carmelo Hayes!
The American Nightmare just put pen to paper for his match with the Phenomenal One, but he isn’t one to shy away from a challenge. The former NXT Champion is shooting his shot, but will this be nothing but net? Or will it be a frustrating airball?
The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, the fans rally for Cody as he puts Melo in a corner then arm-drags him away. Melo runs up, Cody headlocks, Melo powers out then drops. Melo hurdles, but Cody kicks low to RHODES UPPERCUT! Melo staggers to ropes, the fans fire up, but then melo throat chops and springboard FLYING LARIATS! Melo says that’s why he’s a first round pick! But then Cody CLOBBERS him! Cody asks if Melo’s ready for this, and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns once again and Cody has a headlock. Cody hits a takeover, Melo flails and kicks around, but Cody grinds him down. Melo pushes with his forearm, then headscissors, but Cody kips free. Melo CHOPS, the fans “WOO~!” but Cody brushes himself off. Melo pie faces Cody! Cody fires forearms on Melo, then whips, but Melo reverses. Melo ELBOWS Cody, then runs up to KICK him in the side! Melo fires forearms and CHOPS in a corner, then throws body shots. Melo digs his boot in, the ref counts, and Cody goes to another corner. Cody eggs Melo on, Melo storms up, but Cody puts him in the corner to CHOP!
Cody swings, Melo dodges and CHOPS! Cody turns things around to CHOP! The fans rally, Cody whips corner to corner, then he back drops Melo away! Melo staggers up, Cody runs, and he rallies on Melo with forearms! Cody goes up and over in a corner but Melo tilt-o-whirls, LA MYSTICA! Melo springboards, FADE AWAY! Cover, TWO! Cody survives that flying DDT, but we see the NXT roster all fired up watching Melo take it to the champ. Melo sits Cody up, drags him into a facelock, but the fans rally for Cody. Cody fireman’s carries but Melo slips free to dragon sleeper! Melo grins, but Cody cradles! TWO!!
Melo swings, Cody boots, then Cody springboards to BEAUTIFUL DISASTER! Melo flips inside-out, Cody covers, TWO! Melo is still in this and he snarls up at Cody. Melo gives a forearm, Cody gives it back, and the fans rally up. Cody scoops Melo, storms around, and then hits a RUNNING POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Melo survives and Cody grows frustrated. Cody pounds the mat, the fans rally up, and then Cody goes to ropes. Cody springboards again, CODY CUTTER! Cover, TWO!! Melo survives yet again, proving why he’s a former NXT Champion, on top of NXT North American Champion! But then Cody drags him up!
Cody back suplexes, Melo lands out of it, then FIRST 48! Doe goes Cody and Melo goes up! Melo is setting up for the game winner! NOTHING BUT- NO, Cody avoids the flying leg drop! Melo rolls through, Cody dodges to SUPERKICK! Cody brings Melo around, but Melo gets free! They both run, both springboard, but completely miss each other, and Cody takes a rough landing! Melo drags Cody up, reels him in, but Cody wrenches out to dragon sleeper! CROSS RHODES!! Cody shakes out the bad arm but still makes the cover, and Cody wins!
Winner: Cody Rhodes, by pinfall
Melo took his shot but it was blocked! Even so, Cody sits Melo up to show him respect and tell him he’s still the future. But did this match end up more of a trap game for Cody after that crash landing? Or will he be alright in time for Backlash and his phenomenal opponent?
Speaking of, Styles sneaks right into the ring! Cody sees him in time and Styles stays back. Cody and Styles stare down, but Styles says it was that close. Styles offers a handshake, and Cody takes it. There’s still respect here, for now. But will nothing stop Styles from turning Cody’s story into a tragedy after all?
My Thoughts:
A great SmackDown to open the WWE Draft but to also set up Backlash. To recap, SmackDown took Bianca, Melo, Orton, Nia, LA Knight, The Bloodline, Styles and Andrade while Raw took Jey, Rollins, Bron, Liv, Ricochet, Sheamus, The Alpha Academy, and Kiana. Many of those choices made sense, as picks won’t be wasted on keeping champions on brands, and just need to be used to keep most stories alive and change up a few others. Kiana is perhaps one of the more surprising moves, but well-deserved. She has been a solid character and solid in-ring performer almost from the start, she’s a solid addition to Raw.
Bron of course demolished his opponent tonight, it’s just a shame it was Cedric and not local enhancement talent. But Bron will also be a good addition to Raw, but maybe he can move past his squash match phase and get right to story. Melo being a first round pick was great stuff, and he had a great promo with Cody to give us tonight’s main event. That double springboard whiff was definitely a timing problem, but at the same time, a Fade Away countered into a Cody Cutter would’ve been way too epic just for TV. Cody with a great win, and we got a really good contract signing segment, but you can bet Cody retains.
Really good tag match from LWO VS Legado but naturally Rey & Dragon won. I knew it was only a matter of time before Carlito was outed, and how he handled being exposed was pretty good. And with Andrade being drafted to SmackDown, you just know that means Andrade joins the LWO. The Final Testament attacking New Catch Republic was a wild moment, I almost thought Ellering was going to use the pliers in his hands to grab at fingers. Maybe we get that next week for SmackDown in France. Good promos from A-Town Down Under and the still technically unnamed faction of Bobby Lashley’s. As great as The Profits are, it feels like Theory & Waller will cheat to retain.
Really good promo with Tiff and Bayley to set up Naomi VS Tiff round 3, but I did not think Nia Jax would disrupt all that. A Triple Threat at Backlash is good stuff, it will protect Bayley if she loses, but can also protect Naomi and Tiff if Bayley uses them against each other to win. Good promo from Bianca that then turned into the shouting match of Bianca & Jade with Kabuki Warriors. Their tag title match is official, and I’m pretty sure Bianca & Jade win. I also liked that this segment ended up having Kevin and Tama brawl right through it. Orton saving Kevin was a great move, RKKO VS Solo & Tama is going to be awesome stuff, I can’t wait to see it.
My Score: 8.8/10
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