Coverage

Mitchell’s NJPW Best of the Super Juniors Results & Report! (6/3/22)

The BOSJ Finals have arrived!

Published

3 years ago

June 3, 2022

Steven Mitchell

Will Hiromu have his historic threepeat against his greatest rival?

History could be made in NJPW as the Ticking Timebomb goes for his third consecutive Best of the Super Juniors trophy and fourth overall! Unless the Rogue Luchador has something to say about it!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Tomoaki Honma VS ~~Juice Robinson~~ Ryohei Oiwa; Honma wins.
8 Man Tag: Clark Connors, YOH, Titan & Robbie Eagles VS Alex Zayne, Ace Austin, Wheeler Yuta & EL LINDAMAN; Zayne, Austin, Yuta & Lindaman win.
Ryusuke Taguchi & Master Wato VS Francesco Akira & TJP; Akira & TJP win.
Yoshinobu Kanemaru & Zack Sabre Jr. VS SHO & EVIL; Kanemaru & ZSJ win.
Six Man Tag: The United Empire VS Bullet Club; Bullet Club wins.
Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Suzuki-Gun; LIJ wins.
8 Man Tag: Kazuchika Okada, Toru Yano, Tama Tonga & Jado VS Bullet Club; Okada, Yano, Tama & Jado win.
Best of the Super Juniors 29 Finals: Hiromu Takahashi VS El Desperado; Hiromu wins and will challenge for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship.

PLAY BY PLAY

Ryusuke Taguchi & Master Wato VS Francesco Akira & TJP!

Six or Nine didn’t do all that well in the round robin with their combined 7-11 record. Though, the United Empire’s Super Juniors didn’t do much better with their 8-10. But in the end, Bruciare & Public Enemy got wins over the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions, can they get another one 2v2? Or will the Funky Weapon & Way of the Grandmaster deny them golden tickets in the end?

The teams sort out but the Empire attacks! TJP tosses Taguchi, he and Akira mug Wato, then double whip. The bell rigs, Wato slides and double dropkicks the Empire! They bail out, Wato builds speed and FLIES! Direct hit on them both! Fans fire up with Wato and he gets TJP up and in. Cover, ONE, but Wato stomps TJP down. Tag to Taguchi, fans rally up, and they double whip TJP to ropes. Double elbow, double uppercut and double SOBAT! Taguchi covers, TWO! Fans rally for “TA-GU-CHI!” and he gives a point blank hip attack. Taguchi whips TJP to ropes, TJP goes Spider-Man then he dumps Taguchi out!

Akira sets up, and while TJP DECKS Wato, Akira ASAI MOONSAULTS Taguchi! Fans fire up again and Akira brings Taguchi up. Akira puts Taguchi in for TJP, TJP scrapes Taguchi’s face with his boot, then covers. TWO, but TJP drags Taguchi up. Tag to Akira, the Empire double whips Taguchi to ropes to kick, KICK, SOBAT and basement dropkick! Cover, TWO! Akira taunts Wato while using his knee to choke Taguchi! Fans rally for “A! KI-RA!” as he brings Taguchi up. Akira CLUBS Taguchi, bumps him off buckles, then tags TJP. TJP runs to sucker punch Wato again! The Empire double whip Taguchi to a corner, TJP sends Akira in to SHOTGUN!

Taguchi is down, TJP scrapes his boot off Taguchi as fans rally up. TJP then runs side to side to BOOT WASH! Akira and the fans applaud and TJP encourages them to get louder. TJP goes again, but Taguchi HIP ATTACKS! Both men are down, fans fire up more, and Taguchi hot tags Wato! Wato hurries in to rally on TJP! Elbow, BOOT, then a whip for a dropkick! TJP bails out, Akira runs in to kick and CLUB Wato! Wato reverses the whip to CALF KICK Akira! The Empire regroups outside and Wato builds speed to TORNILLO! Direct hit and Wato bowls the Empire over again! Wato puts TJP in and fans fire up as he takes aim.

Wato springboards, FLYING UPPERCUT! Cover, TWO! Wato keeps focus and fans rally more. Wato brings TJP up, reels him in, but TJP fights the waistlock. TJP throws elbows, gets free, then whips. Taguchi tags, Wato reverses, double drop toeholds! Double basement dropkicks! Taguchi covers, Akira breaks it! Akira fires forearms and CHOPS on Wato, then runs, but into a tilt-o-whirl BACKBREAKER! Fans fire up as Taguchi has TJP up against ropes with the stink face! Wato whips Taguchi in for a hip attack, then Taguchi hip attacks Akira! Taguchi goes side to side, more hip attacks, then a slide and APRON HIP for TJP!

Wato kicks Akira out and Taguchi aims at TJP. Springboard, MISSILE HIP! Cover, TWO! OH MY GARFUNKLE!! TJP is caught in the ankle lock! Wato keeps Akira down on the outside while fans rally! TJP crawls, reaches, but Taguchi reels TJP into chicken wings! Akira gets in to ROUNDHOUSE Taguchi! Feed to the chicken wings, SUPERKICK and FINAL CUT! Cover, Wato breaks it! Akira throws Wato out, then the Empire gets Taguchi up. Fireman’s carry from TJP, but Wato trips Akira! Taguchi slips off but TJP elbows him away. TJP whips Taguchi to a corner, sets up in the other, but Wato back elbows TJP!

Akira SHOTGUNS Wato out! Akira runs at Taguchi but is put on the apron. TJP runs in, SUPERKICK ENZIGURI COMBO! TJP brings Taguchi around, Electric Chair Lift, and Akira goes up top! Fans fire up for the FLYING CUTTER DOOMSDAY!! And then, PINOY STRETCH!! Taguchi taps, the Empire wins!!

Winners: Francesco Akira & TJP, by pinfall

The United Empire just defeated the tag champions! Wato gets in, but Akira gets him with SPEEDFIRE! TJP holds up the tag titles, will the Empire conquer the Junior Heavyweight Tag Division next? Or can Six or Nine rebel and retain the titles?

Sanada is here!

The Cold Skull is back with a surprise appearance and a sharp suit. He takes the mic to tell everyone here that at Dominion, he is challenging for the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship! And that’s all he has to say! Juice Robinson is out with appendicitis and will surely be out of commission after, so who will Sanada meet in Osaka-Jo Hall?!

8 Man Tag: Kazuchika Okada, Toru Yano, Tama Tonga & Jado VS Bullet Club!

The Rainmaker teams up with the Producer, the Good Bad Guy and Master Heater to take on common enemies! Jay White, Gedo, Doc Gallows and Taiji Ishimori look to continue Bullet Club’s resurgence in NJPW, will they do that against even the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion and his allies? Or will Chaos and friends keep things from being Too Sweet?

The teams sort out, fans fire up with Yano as he starts against Gallows. Gallows gets annoyed by the “HAI! HAI! HAI!” and kicks Yano low! Gallows whips Yano corner to corner, runs in and back elbows him! Gallows fires off big body shots, and ROCKS Yano with an uppercut! Gallows whips but Yano holds ropes to stop himself. Yano taunts Gallows, dodges him, then SLAPS him on the head! The fans fire up but Gallows is mad. Yano dodges again, and pulls Gallows’ beard! Gallows swings but Yano dodges, tag to Jado! Gallows is pissed but fans fire up as Jado steps in. Fans rally behind Jado as he dares Gedo to get in. Gedo obliges and tags in!

Fans fire up as Gedo and Jado stare down. Gedo Too Sweets his boys, then Kenta distracts him! Jado swipes at Taiji but Gedo CLOBBERS him! Gedo stomps away, Kenta taunts Jado, but Jado SPITS at Kenta! Kenta protests, Gedo drags Jado up to rake the eyes! The ref reprimands, Gedo lets off and he tags Jay in. White stomps away on Jado in the corner, Okada protests but the ref keeps him back. White mocks the fans with the clapping, Gedo gets a cheap shot in but the ref reprimands. White does his own frantic rhythm, then he stomps Jado. Tag to Gallows and he stomps Jado. Gallows stands on Jado’s body!

The ref reprimands, Gallows lets off and runs to drop an elbow! Then another elbow! And another! Tag to Gedo and Gedo covers, TWO!! Jado survives and Gedo is furious! Gedo reprimands the ref for his bad count! Tag to Taiji and he takes off his shirt. Taiji claims Okada’s team is up to something, then he CHOKES Jado with the shirt! The ref misses this but fans rally up. Taiji fires off on Jado, runs, and BOOTS him down! Cover, TWO! Taiji is upset with the count but the fans fire up! Taiji throws haymakers but Jado’s iron head withstands it! Jado fires up, fans fire up with him, and he keeps taking Taiji’s punches!

Jado is powering up, Taiji kicks him low and runs, but Jado runs him over! Fans fire up while both men are down and their teams reach out. Yano and Tama rally the fans as Jado crawls, hot tags to Okada and White! White dodges, Okada dodges, and Okada fires off shots. White reverses the whip but Okada CLOBBERS him with an elbow! Okada DECKS Gallows for good measure! Okada whips corner to corner to back elbow White, then kicks to DDT! Cover, TWO! Fans rally, Gedo sucker punches Okada! Okada barely budges, and now he stares Gedo down. Gedo begs for mercy, but Okada EuroUppers him instead!

White goes after Okada but Okada fires forearms. Okada whips, White reverses to kick and DDT! Fans fire up, White has the ref watch Tama but Tama tells White to shut up. Fans rally up, White brings Okada around to Too Sweet CHOP! And again! And again! Okada goes to a corner, White whips him corner to corner, and uppercuts! White reels Okada in to suplex, BLADE BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up, “O-KA-DA!” but White mocks them. White reels Okada in but Okada blocks the lift. Okada clubs free, gets the arm, MONEY CLIP! White powers Okada to a corner and gets free, but Okada dodges the chip.

White dodges the lariat to CHOP! White whips, Okada reverses but White dodges the dropkick! White hauls Okada up into the clinch, but Okada slips out of Bladerunner to short arm- NO, White dodges the lariat, but runs into the DROPKICK! Both men are down and fans fire up again! Okada and White crawl, White anchors a foot but Okada kicks free. Hot tags to Gedo and Tama! Tama dodges Gedo’s punch, blocks the eye poke and waistlocks. Gedo switches but Tama elbows free. Tama runs, but Kenta swipes at him! Gedo rolls Tama up, TWO!! Gedo JABS, JABS, and JABS! Gedo puts some stank on it, but Tama CLOBBERS him first!

Fans fire up with Tama, he dodges Gallows and Yano trips Gallows up! Taiji sucker punches Tama, springboards in but Tama dodges! Jado CLOBBERS Taiji! Tama brings Gedo up but Gedo pokes him in the eye! Gedo pokes Jado in the eye, too! Tama dodges Gedo’s haymaker, feeds to Jado’s LARIAT! Fans fire up and both Jado and Tama pound the mat. Fans rally up with that, Tama aims at Gedo, GUN STUN!! Cover, Tama and team win!

Winners: Kazuchika Okada, Toru Yano, Tama Tonga & Jado, by pinfall

White still taunts Okada and mockingly asks where the world title belt went. Okada gets the belt from the timekeeper, as does Tama and his NEVER Openweight Championship. The Switchblade is aiming for Okada, and Tama isn’t without a target on his back. Is it only a matter of time before NJPW becomes Bullet Club’s dominion?

NJPW welcomes Tatsumi Fujinami!

The living legend, a great Junior Heavyweight in his time, has come here to say, “Thanks to everyone coming out here today. We have a great crowd on hand. I’ve been watching all these great young wrestlers on monitors in the back. It ate at me that I wasn’t able to get in there and fight with them. But everyone is moving great, and let’s drink in this Super Junior Heavyweight Final. Over 40 years ago, I went to the WWF and won their Junior Heavyweight Championship in Madison Square Garden, and things have come full circle. It is a great honor to be here and see today’s peak of Junior Heavyweight wrestling. So, let’s drink it all in and enjoy this incredible main event!”

Fujinami is even joining commentary to watch! Will tonight’s main eventers do him proud?

Best of the Super Juniors 29 Finals: Hiromu Takahashi VS El Desperado!

The moment of truth! The Ticking Timebomb and the Rogue Luchador fought hard through their blocks, and both came out on top with matching 6-3 records! Will it be the threepeat for Hiromu? Will it be a powerful comeback from Desperado? Or will it be a draw like the last time these two met in the BOSJ?

The bell rings and fans rally already, “HI-RO-MU!” “DES-PY-CHAN!” Hiromu and Desperado stare down, then they slowly circle as the rallying calms down. They approach, feel the grapple out, back away a moment, then tie up collar ‘n’ elbow. Desperado wrenches an arm to a wristlock, Hiromu spins through and slips around to hammerlock then headlock. Hiromu grinds but Desperado pulls hair. Desperado chinbars to spin Hiromu to a facelock, then spins him to a headlock. Hiromu sits down to block the takeover and rolls Desperado to a cover, ONE and Desperado bails out. Fans applaud this opening exchange and rally up again.

Desperado takes his time returning, and he resets with Hiromu. They tie up again, Desperado trips Hiromu and runs. Hiromu drops, Desperado stops to scuff Hiromu in the head. Fans applaud and Desperado eggs Hiromu on. They tie up, Desperado headlocks but Hiromu powers out and runs, RANA blocked, and Desperado is after the leg! Hiromu scrambles, ROPEBREAK! Fans applaud again as Hiromu bails out, and Desperado waits. Fans rally again, “HI-RO-MU!” “DES-PY-CHAN!” Desperado does jumping jacks while he waits but Hiromu slides in. Desperado slides out to drag Hiromu out and ROCKS him with an uppercut!

Desperado smacks Hiromu off the apron, then hauls Hiromu up to rake the eyes. Desperado whips, but Hiromu reverses, and Desperado hits POST! Fans fire up and Hiromu brings Desperado up to snap suplex to the floor! Desperado writhes and crawls away and fans rally up again. Hiromu takes his time walking over to fetch Desperado, and drags him up by his tassels. Hiromu puts Desperado in, then runs corner to corner to clothesline! Snapmare, but Desperado is right up! Hiromu gets around to waistlock but Desperado switches. Hiromu fights off the lift, Desperado stops Hiromu from running! SHINBREAKER!

Fans fire up and Hiromu crawls to a corner. Desperado catches his breath, runs in corner to corner, but he blocks a boot. He puts that leg in the ropes to dropkick the other leg! Then KNEE JAMMER! Hiromu falls out of the ring as he clutches the knee! Desperado clearly paid attention to what Kanemaru did to Hiromu’s leg. Desperado goes out to fetch Hiromu and brings him up. Desperado scoops and SLAMS Hiromu on the floor! Hiromu writhes, fans rally, and Desperado gets back in the ring. The ring count begins but then Desperado goes back out. Desperado fetches Hiromu again, puts him in at 10 of 20, and brings Hiromu up again.

Desperado hits a BIG back suplex! He only covers by holding the shoulders down, TWO, but Desperado drops knees on Hiromu’s bad knee! Desperado pulls on the leg in a deep toehold! Hiromu endures, Desperado keeps cranking the leg, but fans rally up for Hiromu. Desperado SPLASHES the bad leg, covers, TWO! Hiromu crawls away to a corner and fans rally up again. Desperado storms over, stomps the bad leg, then stands on the knee at the ropes. Red Shoes reprimands but Desperado steps off at 4. Fans rally more, Hiromu CHOPS, but Desperado mockingly groans in pain. Hiromu CHOPS and CHOPS, but Desperado still just mocks him.

Desperado CHOPS Hiromu off his feet! Fans fire up and sits Hiromu up into a chinlock. Hiromu endures, fans rally, and Hiromu kicks around, but Desperado pushes him down to scrape soles off his face! Desperado drops down on the bad leg, and ties Hiromu up in the BUTTERFLY DEATHLOCK! Fans rally, Desperado bounces to put on the pressure! Hiromu CHOPS, and CHOPS, but Desperado still toys with him. Hiromu CHOPS again, and Desperado “falls” back to put on the pressure! Hiromu endures even as Desperado lounges, then Desperado thrashes around! Fans rally, Desperado sits back up to put more and more pressure, but Hiromu gets the ROPEBREAK!

Desperado mockingly applauds as he lets off the hold, and “Oops!” he drops knees on the knee. Fans still rally up, and Desperado drags Hiromu up by his hair. Hiromu CHOPS, but Desperado stomps the bad leg! Desperado suplexes but Hiromu blocks. Desperado kicks the bad leg, fans rally up, and Desperado whips Hiromu. Hiromu hobbles and falls at the ropes, Desperado run sin but Hiromu dodges! Hiromu manages to run and RANA Desperado down! Fans fire up and Hiromu drags himself to a corner. Desperado runs in but Hiromu dodges! Hiromu clotheslines, snapmares, and basement dropkicks!

Desperado bails out of the ring, Hiromu goes to the apron! FLYING JOHN WOO! Direct hit and down goes Despy! Fans rally again, “HI-RO-MU!” while he and Desperado slowly rise. The ring count starts, Hiromu fires up and drags Desperado over to put in at 8 of 20. Hiromu then mule kicks, front kicks and facelocks, FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO! Fans rally and Hiromu works on the bad leg. Hiromu hobbles but he gets to Desperado. Fireman’s carry, but Desperado slips off and shoves Hiromu to a corner. Desperado runs in but into a BOOT! Hiromu runs out, but has to fight off the spinebuster! Desperado dodges the lariat, SPEAR into D!!

Fans fire up as Hiromu has his triangle hold! Desperado flails around, reaches out, ROPEBREAK! Hiromu lets off in frustration but the fans fire up again. Hiromu gets up, drags Desperado up by his mask, and fireman’s carries. Desperado fights free, and CHOP BLOCKS the bad leg! Fans fire up again while both men are down. Desperado drags himself up the ropes, gets the bad leg, but Hiromu kicks with his good leg. Desperado staggers away and Hiromu gets up the ropes. Desperado runs in but Hiromu dumps him out! Hiromu ROCKS Desperado, builds speed, and SUNSET FLIPS, but the bad leg gives up!

Desperado builds speed to DIVE! Direct hit with the somersault tope and fans are thunderous! Fans rally, “HI-RO-MU!” “DES-PY-CHAN!” as both men stir. Desperado fires himself up and gets to his feet to then fetch Hiromu. Desperado puts Hiromu in, then goes to the red corner. Desperado pushes Hiromu’s jacket aside to climb up top. FROG SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Hiromu survives but Desperado hauls him up, only for Hiromu to fight the Guitarra! But Desperado wrenches to an OLYMPIC SLAM! High stack, TWO, to a GROUND DRAGON SCREW! And STRETCH MUFFLER!! Fans are thunderous as Hiromu endures!

Hiromu reaches out, crawls, flails, but Desperado drags him back! NUMERO DOS! Hiromu still has one free arm and the fans fire up again! Hiromu reaches, claws his way over, digs in with his elbow, but Desperado thrashes around! Hiromu still fights to the ROPEBREAK! Fans are thunderous again as Desperado lets go in frustration. Both “HI-RO-MU!” and “DES-PY-CHAN!” are tired, but Desperado forces himself up first. Desperado gets Hiromu, underhooks, but Hiromu fights the lift! Hiromu fireman’s carries but Desperado slips off! Hiromu spins him around, RANA and D!! Now Desperado desperately endures!

Fans fire up, Hiromu squeezes tight but Desperado reaches out. Hiromu rolls Desperado from ropes! Fans are thunderous as Desperado starts fading! Red Shoes checks, Desperado refuses to quit but he could be passing out! Desperado gets a second wind and claws at Hiromu! Hiromu pulls the arm in deeper! Fans are thunderous as Desperado starts fading again, but with one last gasp, he gets the ROPEBREAK! Hiromu lets go and both men are down as the fans continue to rally. Hiromu stands up, hobbles over, and he brings Desperado up. Desperado CHOPS! Hiromu still stands Desperado up but he CHOPS again!

Hiromu tries again, but Desperado throws a forearm! Hiromu grins and forearms back! Desperado staggers but he comes back to throw another forearm! Hiromu throws another forearm! Desperado CHOPS, but Hiromu smirks. Hiromu CHOPS, Desperado staggers more, but he CHOPS again! Fans rally up as the CHOPS keep flying! Both men wobble a moment, Hiromu grits his teeth and CHOPS! Desperado forearms, Hiromu forearms, repeat and the fans fire up! Desperado ROCKS Hiromu with an elbow, and then another elbow! And then another! Desperado runs, but into an elbow! Hiromu spins, but into a spin and backslide!

Hiromu rolls through, but Desperado underhooks! PINCHE- NO, Hiromu arm-drags Desperado into a fireman’s carry and rolls that into a lift! But Desperado fights free of that, bobs ‘n’ weaves, but Hiromu wheelbarrows! But Hiromu just fakes the Complete Shot to suplex! Desperado fights off Victory Royale, reels back, but Hiromu HEADBUTTS first! Fans fire up as Desperado wobbles! Hiromu grits his teeth and SUPERKICKS! Desperado still staggers, Hiromu runs, but Desperado dodges! HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER!! Cover, TWO!! Desperado survives and fans are thunderous again!

Hiromu gets back up, he drags Desperado up and suplexes, VICTORY ROYALE! Hiromu fires up and the fans are right there with him! Hiromu dragon sleepers to inverted suplex, but Desperado slips free to hook Hiromu up! EL ES CULERO! TWO!!! Hiromu escapes, and he jumps up to catch Desperado! But Desperado powers out of D to SPINEBUSTER! And then he turns Hiromu over, GUITARRA DEL ANGEL! Cover, TWO!! Hiromu survives and fans are electric! Desperado grits his teeth and gets back up. Desperado hauls Hiromu up, underhooks, PINCHE- NO, Hiromu fights that, but Desperado DECKS him!

Desperado gets Hiromu up again, underhooks and TIGER DRIVER! Then the roll through, to PINCHE LOCO!! Cover a la the Deadman, TWO!?!?!? Hiromu survives by nanoseconds!! Desperado is almost confused as to how this happened! But then he gets the leg, DRAGON SCREW! DRAGON SCREW! DRAGON SCREW! Then the STRETCH MUFFLER!! And right to NUMERO DOS PLUS!! Hiromu endures as he’s bent back! The fans are electric as Hiromu fights to get an arm free! Hiromu reaches, sits up out of the Muffler, but Desperado blocks to tuck in! Hiromu fights the driver to get a DESTROYER!!

Desperado wobbles on his feet?! He stays up through sheer determination and anger! Desperado hobbles his way over to drag Hiromu up! Fans are electric as he hauls Hiromu up! Hiromu trips to jackknife, TWO!! Hiromu catches Desperado’s punch to pump handle, HIROMU-CHAN CRADLE!! TWO!!!! Desperado escapes but even he has to check with Red Shoes. Hiromu SUPERKICKS Desperado! Desperado roars as he stays up, but Hiromu SUPERKICKS again! Hiromu roars, runs, HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER!!! Cover, TWO!!!! Desperado survives again but Hiromu isn’t deterred! Hiromu powers up again, dragon sleeper and inverted suplex, TIMEBOMB II!!!! Cover, TWO!?!?!?!?

Now Desperado shocks everyone! Hiromu pleads with Red Shoes, but that was still not three! Fans are electric again while both men are down on the mat. Hiromu focuses and fires himself up! Fans fire up with him, and he brings Desperado up. Desperado is almost dead weight, and the fans rally hard as ever. Hiromu steals LOCO MONO!! Desperado LOCO MONOS right back!! Hiromu fires up, but Desperado LOCO MONOS again!! Both men fall over and the fans are volcanic at this point! Desperado pushes himself up off the mat and he roars again! Desperado drags Hiromu up while putting in the underhooks!

Desperado stands with Hiromu in position, PINCHE- NO! Hiromu RANA- NO, Desperado deadlifts! But Hiromu spins around to HIROMU-CHAN STUNNER!! Hiromu holds on to Desperado to get up and STUNNER again!! Fans fire up again as Hiromu drags Desperado up to spin and TIMEBOMB!!! But Hiromu isn’t done there! He straitjackets with the dragon sleeper, TIMEBOMB II!!! Cover, Hiromu wins!!!!

Winner: Hiromu Takahashi, by pinfall (Best of the Super Junior 29 winner)

The Threepeat is complete!! Hiromu has pulled off the historic hattrick!! And it would seem even the legend, Fujinami, acknowledges that Hiromu is THE Best of the Super Juniors! Desperado’s return to the top have to wait a little longer, when and where will the Rogue Luchador find redemption?

As for Hiromu, he manages to stand so that Red Shoes can raise his hand in victory. Then Fujinami joins him in the ring to present him the BOSJ 29 trophy! Hiromu thanks Fujinami while Fujinami congratulates Hiromu on this victory. They pose for the photo ops, and Fujinami lets Hiromu have the ring. Hiromu hugs the trophy and then gets the mic to speak. “Desperado, I’m not sure who enjoyed that more. I know I had a hell of a lot of fun! Thank you very much! Fujinami-san, thank you for being a pioneer of this Junior Heavyweight Division! Because of him, the world was able to enjoy an amazing league of Juniors! Once again, thank you!”

Fans applaud that sentiment, but Hiromu continues. “‘The old days of pro-wrestling were grea.t I used to watch a long time ago.’ I hear that a lot. It’s true, over the last 30 to 50 years, matches, costumes, body size, everything has changed. But y’know what? We wrestlers have the same fighting spirit! That hasn’t changed! 50 years is just the beginning! The future shines brighter than ever! More! More! More! More! More! MORE! MORE! MORE! MORE! MORE! Everyone… Let’s have more fun~!!” Hiromu raises the trophy again and the streamers fly! Will the Ticking Timebomb, the 27th, 28th and 29th BOSJ winner, soon become the next IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion?

My Thoughts:

A great event for NJPW to end the BOSJ series, but yes, I did skip quite a bit to get this done quickly. A shame about Juice Robinson, let’s all hope he has a speedy recovery. Sanada was surely meant to call Juice out after his match with Honma, but that had to change so Sanada is just calling his shot period. Sanada VS just about anyone will be a great match, but here’s hoping it’s Ospreay, one of the matches we were supposed to see for the US title in the first place.

And maybe I should’ve covered United Empire VS Bullet Club, given what happened. On one hand, it plugs the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championship story. And on the other, we got a surprising new Bullet Club member! Ace Austin joins Bullet Club so now the faction has a stronger presence in Impact, and they’ve already got another belt in the collection with the X-Division Championship. That will be a great development in the Bullet Club Impact branch story, and we could see even more Forbidden Door type crossover events with NJPW and all their partners.

Great 8 Man Tag, but naturally Okada and White are not involved in the finish to keep the math between them even. Tama gets the win so he’s ready for whoever’s coming for the NEVER Openweight Championship, but I would think both Tama and Okada retain so that Bullet Club doesn’t get too powerful too soon. Fujinami being here for the main event was a great touch, and that was an amazing main event. They had great story referencing what happened during each man’s run in the blocks, as well as their history against each other. In the end, giving us the history making moment was the right call. Hiromu is even more immortalized in history after getting this, and he is going to have one hell of a IWGP Junior Heavyweight title match.

My Score: 8.9/10

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OFFICIAL RESULTS

WWE Women’s World Championship: Rhea Ripley VS Nia Jax; Rhea wins and retains the title.
WWE Intercontinental Championship: Bron Breakker VS Sheamus; Bron wins and retains the title.
Braun Strowman VS Jacob Fatu; Braun wins, by disqualification.
WWE World Heavyweight Championship: GUNTHER VS Jey Uso; Gunther wins and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

Ted DiBiase is here!

The Million Dollar Man is back, and he even has his Million Dollar Championship! Will he look to raise the stakes in San Antonio?

WWE Women’s World Championship: Rhea Ripley VS Nia Jax!

These two just did battle last night in Austin, and while Mami’s team felt the smackdown, she and the Irresistible Force are feeling raw here in San Antonio! Will Rhea be golden on this side of the Royal Rumble? Or will Nia look to grab up all the gold?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is really on top!

Nia HEADBUTTS Rhea before the bell! The ref reprimands ant eh fans boo, but Nia runs up! Rhea dodges, DROPKICKS, and Nia staggers back. Rhea runs up and fires forearms in the corner, but Nia shoves her away. Rhea ducks ‘n’ dodges Nia to then tilt-o-whirl DDT! The fans fire up as Rhea shows off some agility! Nia tumbles out of the ring, Rhea goes to the apron, and Rhea CANNONBALLS! Down goes Nia and the fans fire up more! Rhea puts Nia back in the ring, then hurries to short arm LARIAT! Nia stays up so Rhea short arm LARIATS, and goes again! But Nia pop-up HEADBUTTS Rhea down!

The fans boo but Nia runs and SPLASHES Rhea in a corner! Nia hoists Rhea up top, but Rhea BOOTS her away! Nia ROCKS Rhea in return, then she climbs. The fans rally for Mami but Nia fireman’s carries! Rhea fights, but Nia still SUPER SAMOAN DROPS! Cover, TWO! Rhea survives, if only just so, and SNME goes to break.

SNME returns and Nia thrashes Rhea around in a chinlock. Rhea fights up, JAWBREAKERS free, and then runs, but Nia slips around. Nia back suplexes, Rhea lands out, and Rhea kicks low. Rhea KNEES Nia, winds up, LARIAT! Nia stays up, so Rhea dodges to CHOP! Rhea knuckle locks, then she springboards, but Nia stops the rana! Nia pops Rhea up, but Rhea SUNSET BOMBS! Cover, TWO!! Nia survives and Rhea can’t believe it! Rhea pulling that off is unbelievable, too! Rhea pump handles Nia, but powers up to a SAMOAN DROP! Nia drags Rhea to a drop zone, goes up the corner, but the fans boo.

Nia adjusts and SUPER LEG DROPS! Cover, TWO! Rhea survives but Nia is amused. Nia stands over Rhea while the fans rally up. Nia climbs up again, but Rhea CLUBS Nia! Rhea gets under Nia, and she POWERBOMBS Nia down! And then Rhea ties up the legs, for the PRISM TRAP! Nia powers up, pushes Rhea away, and the fans boo. Nia and Rhea rise up, and Rhea runs in! Nia catches her for an URENAGE! Nia snarls and storms up on Rhea to KICK her to the drop zone. Nia goes up the corner, but Rhea SHOVES her into the post! Nia goes to the apron, Rhea DECKS her! Rhea then goes up the corner?!

Rhea aims, the fans fire up, and Rhea SUPER CROSSBODIES! Down goes Nia and Rhea fires up! San Antonio is with Rhea as she reels Nia in. Pump handle, but Nia SPLASHES her! Cover, ONE!! Nia is furious, and she SMACKS Rhea off the mat, Nia puts Rhea in the drop zone, A-NIA-LATOR!! But Nia isn’t done, she goes back up. But Rhea grabs Nia’s foot! Nia shakes free, climbs again, but Rhea gets under Nia! Electric Chair Lift, and SLAM!! Both women are down and the fans fire up again! Both women stir, and Rhea drags herself to the corner. Rhea stands, but so does Nia. Nia runs up, but Rhea dodges! Nia hits the buckles, Rhea ROUNDHOUSES!

Rhea pump handles, and she powers up, RIPTIDE!! Cover, RHEA WINS!

Winner: Rhea Ripley, by pinfall (still WWE Women’s World Champion)

That was a brutal battle, but Rhea’s brutality saw her through! Nia still plans on winning the Royal Rumble, will she still go for Tiffany Stratton? Or will she change course and want one more round with Rhea Bloody Ripley?

WWE Intercontinental Championship: Bron Breakker VS Sheamus!

The title matches don’t stop, because we go one more round between these two badasses! Will the dogs be barking with the Big Bad Booty Nephew? Or will The Celtic Warrior finally complete his WWE Bingo?

SNME returns and Jesse Ventura joins commentary for this make-or-break moment for Sheamus. Bron makes his entrance and the fans bark already. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and one way or another, we’re getting a banger!

The bell rings, the two circle, and the two tie up. Sheamus powers Bron back but then they go along the ropes. Sheamus has a headlock as they end up in a corner, and the ref counts. Bron scuffs Sheamus and laughs, but Sheamus tells Bron to get serious. They circle, tie up, and then Bron kicks! Sheamus blocks the kick, and he LARIATS Bron! Sheamus fires hands on Bron in a corner, then he brings Bron around to whip. Bron reverses, but Sheamus blocks the hip toss! Sheamus LARIATS Bron again and the fans fire up! Bron goes to a corner, Sheamus is right on him to whip. Bron reverses, but Sheamus comes back, into an OVERHEAD SUPLEX!

The fans bark while Sheamus sputters. Bron storms up on Sheamus, headlocks, but Sheamus powers up and out. Bron ducks ‘n’ dodges and builds speed to CLOBBER Sheamus! Sheamus tumbles out of the ring but Bron goes out the side. Bron builds speed around the outside! But Sheamus scoops! Sheamus then LAWN DARTS Bron into the timekeeper’s area! The fans fire up with Sheamus, and then Sheamus fetches Bron to bring him back to the ring. Sheamus then climbs a corner, takes aim, and FLYING LARIATS! Cover, ONE!! Bron is tougher than that, but Sheamus stays on him. Sheamus throws Bron tot he apron, then stands him up!

The fans fire up but Bron fights free! Bron throws a haymaker, but Sheamus DECKS Bron for it! Sheamus goes out, uses the steps to leap, INTO A SPEAR!! Both men fall in a heap and the fans go nuts! Bron grins while SNME goes to break.

SNME returns again and Bron fires off in the corner. Sheamus fires back and they go back and forth. Bron KNEES low, then he digs Sheamus into the corner. Bron ROCKS Sheamus, then fireman’s carries. GUT BUSTER DROP! Bron doesn’t let off, he hoists Sheamus up again, GUT BUSTER DROP! Cover, TWO! Sheamus survives but Bron has a bull’s eye on those ribs. Bron throws hands but Sheamus eggs Bron on! Bron SLAPS Sheamus, Sheamus eggs Bron on more, and they start throwing shots! The fans fire up but Bron body shots! Bron runs, into a KNEE CAPPER! Cover, TWO! Bron stays in this and Sheamus grows frustrated.

Bron goes to the apron, Sheamus storms up, and the fans fire up as Sheamus gives us BEATS OF THE BODHRAIN! Sheamus goes all the way to TEN, then past it! He gets SIXTEEN in before the ref counts 4! Sheamus hauls Bron up and up, to then crucifix lift! CELTIC CROSS!! Sheamus busting out a classic and he crawls to the cover, TWO!! Bron survives again and the fans fire up! Sheamus drags Bron up, fireman’s carries, but Bron fights free! Bron shoves Sheamus into the buckles, then gorilla presses for the SLAM! Cover, TWO!! Sheamus survives and Bron is growing frustrated. Ventura loves it, they’re going to the wire!

Bron storms up but Sheamus BOOTS Bron from the corner! Sheamus skins the cat! But Bron springs right up! SUPER STEINER! The fans fire up and Bron takes aim! Straps are down, Bron runs in, into a BROGUE!!! Cover, ROPEBREAK!!! Bron survives by a literal foot and Sheamus can’t believe it! Sheamus was so close but he’s still so far! “This is Awesome!” as Sheamus powers up in the corner. Bron rises, but the ribs hold Sheamus back! Bron RAMS Sheamus, Sheamus rebounds to KNEE CAPPER! Sheamus tries again, but Bron ducks the Brogue! SPEAR!! Cover, BRON WINS!

Winner: Bron Breakker, by pinfall (still WWE Intercontinental Champion)

The Fella falls short, only because Bron’s foot found the ropes! Will Sheamus ever get his hands on this title? Will anyone ever take this title off of Bron?

Shawn Michaels is here!

San Antonio fires up for their Heartbreak Kid, the WWE Hall of Famer, and the man who put ladder matches on the map! HBK will moderate the contract signing for the WWE Championship ladder match, after the break!

SNME returns and HBK has the mic. “I am sweating through my suit, because for the last three minutes, I’ve been dancing around because I am so happy to be back home in San Antonio!” The fans cheer that! HBK says he “has been given one job here tonight, and that is to walk out of this ring with the signatures of Kevin Owens and Cody Rhodes.” Nick Aldis couldn’t get it done, so he sent in the closer! Rest assured, it is happening tonight. So as they say, without further ado, he will introduce the challenger for the Undisputed WWE Championship, from Montreal, Quebec, Canada, Kevin Owens! The fans boo but The Prizefighter still goes to the ring.

Kevin wears a new shirt, “Cody Sucks Eggs,” and he has the Winged Eagle on his shoulder. HBK now welcomes out THE Undisputed WWE Champion, The American Nightmare, Cody Rhodes! The fans cheer Cody’s entrance, “WHOA~ OH~!” and Cody even climbs up a ladder to show he’s not afraid of heights. Cody gets his second round of pyro, then he goes to the ring to join HBK and KO. The fans cheer as Cody and Kevin stare down, but HBK tells them, “Gentlemen, if you would be seated please.” They don’t, so he says fine, he digs it.

HBK says for months, these two have battered and beaten each other. And as much as everyone has enjoyed watching it, HBK has an assignment. That is to walk out of this ring, with their signatures on the contract. So one way or another, it needs to happen. So again, he asks they please sign. Cody takes the pen first, and he signs his part as champion. Kevin then takes the pen, looks a the contract, but then picks up the mic. “Y’know, last night you (Cody) said something that really pissed me off. You said that 10 times outta 10, Kevin Owens takes the easy way out. Is that right? That’s a lie. That’s what you are, you’re a liar.”

Kevin could’ve taken the easy way out at Bash In Berlin because of Cody’s knee, because Kevin cared about their friendship more than Cody ever did! And you know who takes the easy way out? It’s CODY! Who between them left WWE when things got tough? Kevin stayed, Cody quit! Cody shouts, “ENOUGH! ENOUGH, Kevin!” Cody didn’t come here to talk about the past, or so Kevin can justify his actions. Cody didn’t get all dressed up, HBK didn’t return to San Antonio, to hear Kevin talk! Cody is done worrying about Kevin Owens. Cody instead must focus on who he is defending his title against at WrestleMania.

So if Kevin would just please, SIGN, THE, CONTRACT! The fans cheer, but Kevin tells Cody, “Trust me, you’re not done worrying about Kevin Owens. Because once I sign this, you know what that means? That makes it official. That Saturday night at the Royal Rumble, I will shut everyone up who dares to say I’m not the real champion. I am the true, rightful WWE Champion! And once I win the title, everything you got when you came back, your face on every poster, on all the buses, all the fanfare, all the grand entrances, all the attention, the pyro, everything, it’s coming to ME! Because that’s what I’ve deserved for the last TEN YEARS, and I’m taking it from YOU!”

HBK waits a moment, then says, “Jesus, Kevin. You just sound jealous.” Kevin glares at HBK and asks what he just said. HBK says that Kevin sounds jealous. JEALOUS!? Kevin says that’s rich! HBK is just like Cody! When things got tough for HBK, he quit, too! You wanna know who is jealous? HBK is jealous that Kevin brought more pride to the Winged Eagle than HBK ever did! And once Kevin wins, he will give everyone a champion they can be proud of, that they can look to, and won’t lose his smile~! The only one losing at the Rumble is Cody! Kevin finally signs his part, then he SHOVES it into HBK!

The fans boo but Kevin stares Cody down again. HBK says, “Gentlemen, there’s only one thing left to do, and that is to take these championships. May I please get a referee in here? And ascend them above the ring.” A referee does step in, and Kevin gives the Winged Eagle title a last kiss before handing it over. That belt is strapped onto the hanger, then the same is done with Cody’s corporate logo belt. The hanger is then lifted into the air, and HBK says next Saturday, Lucas Oil Stadium, one man ascends the ladder, and one man walks out THE Undisputed WWE Champion. He wishes them luck, then offers a handshake.

Kevin leaves HBK hanging, so Cody takes the hand. And Kevin sucker punches Cody! HBK warns KO, but then KO kicks HBK! But Cody SUPERKICKS Kevin! HBK is furious, so he tunes up the band! The fans are thunderous for some SWEET CHIN MUSIC!! Kevin tumbles out of the ring while San Antonio cheers! Will Cody make sure “The Canadian Dream” is living a nightmare after the Royal Rumble? Or will Kevin find a way to ruin Cody’s Road to WrestleMania?

Braun Strowman VS Jacob Fatu!

There may not be a championship on the line, but you can consider this a title match in that the winner here could very well be the ALPHA monster! Will the Monster of All Monsters still be Braun Strowman? Or will the Samoan Werewolf tear down #OneBigSOB?

SNME returns and once again, Tama & Jacob walk ‘n’ talk. The Good Bad Guy says everyone’s on that YEHYEHYEH! Jacob tells Braun that he may be a tough SOB, but keep it 100, he never been in the ring with nobody like Jacob! He’s America’s Most Wanted! You know what time it is? Get in where you fit in! Cuz tonight, Jacob beats Braun’s ass post to post, live from NBC on coast to coast! Ya know what I mean?! Jacob makes his entrance, Tama letting him go alone. The bell rings and the fans rally up. Jacob and Braun stare down, tie up, and Jacob pushes Braun back, until Braun SHOVES Jacob down! Both men run up, and Braun RUNS Jacob over!

Braun storms up on Jacob at the ropes, the ref gets in between them, and Jacob sucker punches Braun! Jacob runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, but Braun ELBOWS him down! Braun snarls, runs up again, and he LARIATS Jacob up and out! Jacob is right back on his feet, and he HOTSHOTS Braun away! Braun comes back, Jacob DUMPS him out, then KICKS Braun! Jacob then DIVES! Direct hit and down goes Braun! The fans fire up while SNME goes to break.

SNME returns again and Jacob HEADBUTTS Braun again and again! The fans rally for Braun but Jacob runs, only for Braun to scoop! SIDEWALK SLAM! Both men are down and the fans rally up again. Braun and Jacob rise again, and Braun CHOPS! Braun fires a forearm, and another! Braun ROCKS Jacob, runs, and BOOTS Jacob down! Jacob goes to a corner while the fans fire up. Braun storms up to fire body shots, then stands Jacob up. Braun TOSSES Jacob across the way! Jacob tumbles out, sputters and coughs, and Braun goes outside! The Strowman Express is on the tracks, and he CLOBBERS Jacob into barriers!

The fans fire up again and Braun says let’s go again! Braun does another lap, to POUNCE Jacob over the announce desk! The fans fire up again and Braun takes off his shirt! Braun does another lap, and Jacob’s up in time, to SAMOAN DROP Braun onto the desk!! Jacob shoves Braun down, throws the desk hood onto him, then drags him up to send into steel steps! The ref reprimands, Jacob shoves Braun into the ring, and Jacob hauls Braun up. HEADBUTT! Braun sits in a corner, Jacob goes corner to corner! HIP ATTACK! And then HIP ATTACK again! Braun sputters now, and Jacob HIP ATTACKS again! AND AGAIN!!

Jacob shows no mercy, he hits a FIFTH HIP ATTACK!! The Samoan Werewolf goes again, A SIXTH HIP ATTACK!! Braun is barely even conscious, the ref stops Jacob, but Jacob TOSSES the ref!! Jacob runs to hit NUMBER SEVEN!! NUMBER EIGHT!! The fans boo but now the bell rings! The ref calls this one off for what Jacob did!

Winner: Braun Strowman, by disqualification

Jacob storms out around ringside, and he grabs a chair! He throws that into the ring, but then Aldis and security rush out here! Jacob CHUCKS that chair into the first guard! And then he LARIATS the next! Jacob ignores the refs and Aldis, more security arrives, and they get Jacob to back off. Braun sputters as blood pours from his nose and maybe even his mouth. Jacob’s bloodthirsty and he drags Braun from the corner! Producers get out here to try and stop this, but Jacob doesn’t care! He goes up, up, BEST MOONSAULT EVER!! The werewolf is too wild, but Tama Tonga gets him to stand down.

There are fans who want that “One More Time!” and Jacob hears them! BEST MOONSAULT EVER AGAIN!! The medics hurry out here, and now Jacob and Tama stand down. OR NOT! Jacob gets right back in the ring, and he goes right back up the corner! BEST MOONSAULT EVER!! With no Solo Sikoa to hold onto the leash, will no one be able to stop the Samoan Werewolf?

WWE World Heavyweight Championship: GUNTHER VS Jey Uso!

Der Ring General does not think “Main Event Jey Uso” is worthy of that nickname, and yet here they both are in tonight’s main event. These two already had it out during Gunther’s historic Intercontinental Championship reign, will history repeat itself? Or will Jey finally and for truly stand tall as THE World Heavyweight Champion?

SNME returns and Gunther makes his entrance. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who wins Saturday Night’s Main Event!

The bell rings, Jey puts his sunglasses aside, and Gunther BOOTS Jey down! Gunther talks smack while he stands Jey up, but Jey UPPERCUTS! And ROCKS Gunther with a right! Gunther CHOPS Jey, Jey ROCKS Gunther with more hands! Gunther CHOPS again! Jey is stinging as he falls against the ropes, but Gunther stands him up. Jey dodges the chop to fire body shots! Jey climbs up and he rains down fists! “YEET! YEET! YEET!” But Gunther stops Jey at 7, puts him on the corner, and CHOPS him to the floor! The fans boo while SNME goes to break.

SNME returns again and Jey fires hands! “YEET! YEET! YEET!” But Gunther clamps on a SLEEPER! Jey arm-drags free, but Gunther blocks a kick! Gunther LARIATS Jey down! Cover, TWO! Jey stays in this but Gunther stays on him with a NECK TWIST! Jey writhes while Gunther paces. The fans boo but Gunther stands Jey up. Gunther scoops and SLAMS Jey, then stalks him. Gunther stands Jey up to CHOP him! Jey is again stinging but he stays up. Gunther BOOTS Jey! Jey fires forearms! Gunther CHOPS! Jey fires more forearms! Gunther CHOPS again! Jey rebounds, but into an UPPERCUT! Jey UPPERCUTS back!

Jey fires hands, whips Gunther, but Gunther reverses! Jey hits buckles hard and falls to the mat! Gunther drops a KNEE on him! Gunther then STOMPS Jey’s arm! The fans boo but Gunther looms over Jey. Gunther clamps onto Jey with a chinlock and he grinds his forearm into Jey’s face! The fans rally for Jey and he fights up. Jey manages to fireman’s carry Gunther! The fans fire up but Gunther fights free! Gunther CHOPS! Jey ROCKS! Gunther UPPERCUTS! Jey UPPERCUTS! Gunther swings, Jey dodges, and Jey fireman’s carries! SAMOAN DROP! Both men are down and the fans fire up again!

Jey and Gunther crawl, and Gunther makes it to a corner. Jey goes to the opposite end, and the fans rally behind Jey with “UCE! OH~!” Jey runs, into the SHOTGUN DROPKCIK! Gunther hurries to haul Jey right up, GENERAL BOMBO! High stack, TWO! Jey survives and Gunther is surprised! Gunther catches his breath, calms down, and thinks on what else he should try. The fans rally for Jey even harder while Gunther stalks him to ropes. Jey goes to the apron, but Gunther goes out after him. Gunther stomps Jey, then stands on his neck! The ref reprimands but Gunther steps off. Jey sputters, but Gunther BOOTS him again, right as SNME goes to break!

SNME returns once again, and Jey trades shots with Gunther! The fans rally behind Jey as he gets the edge, “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Jey pops, locks and- Gunther BOOTS him! Jey kicks, Gunther blocks, but the DRAGON WHIP comes around! Only for Gunther to GERMAN SUPLEX! Gunther runs, into a SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO! Gunther survives and the fans can’t believe it! Jey catches his breath while Gunther goes to a corner. Gunther comes back, but Jey avoids the shotgun dropkick! Jey gets moving, and he HIP ATTACKS Gunther in the corner! Cover, TWO! Gunther is tougher than that, but the fans still rally.

Jey goes to the corner and the fans fire up! Jey climbs, but Gunther rises! Gunther CHOPS Jey, then CHOPS again! Gunther climbs up after Jey, brings him to the very top, but Jey resists the suplex! Jey fires body shots, then slips under Gunther! Jey brings Gunther out for a POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!! Gunther survives and the fans still can’t believe it! Both Jey and Gunther are down, “This is Awesome!” as they slowly rise. Jey and Gunther rise up, but Gunther kicks low! Gunther reels Jey in, but Jey RANAS! Jey then runs to SPEAR!! Cover, TWO?!? Gunther survives and Jey is frustrated, but Jey hurries to aim again!

Gunther rises, Jey runs up, SUPERKICK! Gunther staggers back up so Jey runs in, SPEAR!! Jey hurries to the corner! Jey climbs, the fans are thunderous, USO SPLASH!! Cover, TWO?!? Gunther survives yet again and Jey is beside himself! The fans rally with more “YEET! YEET! YEET!” and Jey aims from a corner. Jey runs up, but Gunther turns spear into POWERBOMB! And then he flips Jey over to POWERBOMB again!! DEEP stack, GUNTHER WINS!

Winner: Gunther, by pinfall (still WWE World Heavyweight Champion)

Gunther didn’t just win, he just survived this battle with Main Event Jey! Der Ring General seems to at least respect Jey a bit more now, but what is it going to take for Jey to truly be the main event player?

My Thoughts:

A great Saturday Night’s Main Event, and while they really made us wonder for a couple moments, they of course held the status quo. As I said going into tonight, it would be a bit odd if the moment Sheamus finally won the Intercontinental Championship was here on NBC TV. A moment like that should be saved for WrestleMania, but I’m not sure that’ll even happen now. Granted, we have three months to build, but what would the point be after all this? Rhea VS Nia was an awesome match, especially with Rhea busting out some stuff she’d never really done before. Rhea of course won because she just got this belt back, and Nia will be in the Women’s Rumble to beef it up while trying to get after Tiffany.

The contract signing segment being in the middle was a touch surprising, but I do appreciate that they understood a title match should be the main event. Good stuff from Cody, Kevin and HBK, especially Kevin’s shirt to reference Terry Funk’s classic “Dusty Sucks Eggs” shirt. Of course a fight started, and good stuff with HBK getting a Sweet Chin Music in, but this isn’t the go-home segment so don’t expect Kevin to win the ladder match just yet. Raw and SmackDown have their go-home episodes first, we’ll surely get a segment where Kevin gets even with Cody to put things back in Cody’s favor.

Great promo from Tama & Jacob as they head to gorilla, and then a great match from Jacob VS Braun. I was saying just last night that I expected a No Contest or Draw, but they instead went a much more vicious route. Jacob loses because he threw the ref aside, but he stands tall because he brutalized Braun like very few ever have. Jacob can definitely use this to do big things in the Rumble, and from there he can go for the US Championship, as I was also saying last night. Gunther VS Jey was awesome stuff, and they really got me thinking Jey was going to pull this off, but like with Sheamus, Jey’s crowning achievement is perhaps too big for just SNME. It would be pretty wild if Jey won the Men’s Rumble so that he could get one more chance at this title and win it in Vegas.

My Score: 8.9/10

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AEW Coverage

Mitchell’s AEW Collision Results & Report! (1/25/25)

Home Sweet Homecoming!

Published

5 hours ago

January 25, 2025

Steven Mitchell

AEW returns to Daily’s Place!

AEW is back in Jacksonville, and it’s going to be BIG! Like, Katsuyori Shibata challenging for the International Championship BIG! Will The Wrestler be better than The Alpha?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Samoa Joe w/ Hook VS Nick Wayne w/ The Patriarchy; wins.
Six Man Tag: Daniel Garcia & 2Point0 VS The Undisputed Kingdom; win(s).
The Gates of Agony VS Brody King & Buddy Matthews; win.
Kazuchika Okada VS Komander w/ Alex Abrahantes; wins.
AEW TBS Championship Fatal 4 Way #1 Contender’s Match: Deonna Purrazzo VS Queen Aminata VS Yuka Sakazaki VS Serena Deeb; wins and will challenge Mercedes Mone for the title.
AEW International Championship: Konosuke Takeshita w/ Don Callis VS Katsuyori Shibata; wins and