Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW Dominion Results & Report! (6/12/22)
Osaka-Jo Hall is shining with gold!
Titles upon titles are on the line!
NJPW Dominion shines in Osaka-Jo Hall with so much gold! The world title, US title, and even a golden ticket to Forbidden Door in Chicago are on the line!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Six Man Tag: Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Ryusuke Taguchi & Master Wato VS The United Empire; The United Empire wins.
- Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Bullet Club; Bullet Club wins.
- Toru Yano VS Luke Gallows; Yano wins.
- NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships: The House of Torture VS Suzuki-Gun; The House of Torture wins and retains the titles.
- IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Chase Owens & Bad Luck Fale VS Great-O-Khan & Jeff Cobb; Khan & Cobb win and become the new IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions.
- Interim AEW World Championship Eliminator: Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Hirooki Goto; Tanahashi wins and advances to Forbidden Door.
- KOPW 2022 Championship 10 Minute Unlimited Pinfall Scramble: Shingo Takagi VS Taichi; Takagi wins and retains the KOPW trophy.
- NEVER Openweight Championship: Tama Tonga VS Karl Anderson; Anderson wins and becomes the new NEVER Openweight Champion.
- Vacated IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship: SANADA VS Will Ospreay; Ospreay wins and becomes the new IWGP US Heavyweight Champion.
- IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Kazuchika Okada VS Jay White w/ Gedo; White wins and becomes the new IWGP World Heavyweight Champion.
PLAY BY PLAY
NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships: The House of Torture VS Suzuki-Gun!
Evil, Sho and Yujiro Takahashi have been cornered and must put their titles up against El Desperado, Yoshinobu Kanemaru & Zack Sabre Jr! Will the King of Darkness and his team use every trick in the book to desperately hold onto these belts? Or will the Rogue Luchador, Heel Master & Zacky Big Tekkers find a way to tear down the House?
The House of Torture rush out during Suzuki-Gun’s entrance, but Suzuki-Gun is ready! Kanemaru knees Sho low and headlocks, ZSJ gets Evil and Desperado gets Yujiro! Evil and Yujiro hit back, Evil CLUBS ZSJ then uses his shirt to CHOKE him! Kanemaru whips Sho hard into railing! Yujiro knocks Desperado down, Evil stomps ZSJ but Kanemaru puts Sho in the ring. Kanemaru whips Sho to ropes and dropkicks legs out as the bell rings. Kanemaru gets the legs for a FIGURE FOUR! Sho endures but Evil gets in to stomp Kanemaru, only for Kanemaru to get Evil’s leg! Kanemaru lets Sho go to dropkick Evil’s leg!
Kanemaru trips Evil, gets the legs, and has Evil in a FIGURE FOUR! Yujiro stomps but now he gets caught! Kanemaru trips Yujiro and puts him in the FIGURE FOUR! Fans fire up for this hat trick! But wait! While the ref is trying to get Evil out of the ring, Dick Togo gets in! But Kanemaru blocks Dick’s stomp and trips him up! FIGURE FOUR for Dick! Dick is tapping out, too bad he’s not part of the team defending the belts! Kanemaru lets off all the same, and he goes back to Sho. Sho begs for mercy, Kanemaru stomps him instead! Kanemaru drags Sho up to rake the eyes! Kanemaru follows Sho to ropes, whips him again, but Sho stops himself.
Kanemaru rushes Sho but Sho dodges, and then Evil trips Kanemaru! Evil RAMS Kanemaru into the timekeeper’s area! Abe-san suffers again! Meanwhile, Sho goes out after the rest of Suzuki-Gun with Yujiro! Evil rakes Kanemaru’s eyes while Sho hits ZSJ and Yujiro rakes Desperado’s eyes! Evil puts Kanemaru in, Sho rakes Kanemaru’s eyes! The ref counts, Sho lets off, and Sho stomps away on Kanemaru. Oh, and the blue buckle pad is gone, of course. Sho wrenches Kanemaru’s arm, tags in Evil, and Evil CLUBS Kanemaru down. The ref reprimands the House of Torture but Evil whips Kanemaru into the bare buckles!
Kanemaru writhes from suffering the Bullet Club Special, and Yujiro tags in. Yujiro snapmares to drop a leg, drop an elbow, and drop a headbutt on Kanemaru. Cover, TWO! Fans rally up, Yujiro drags Kanemaru up and knees him low. Yujiro stands Kanemaru against ropes to BOOT him! Yujiro runs, into Kanemaru’s basement dropkick! Fans fire up while Yujiro holds his leg. Kanemaru and Yujiro crawl, but Sho gets in to hit Desperado and ZSJ first! Sho distracts the ref so that Evil can get Kanemaru up for a cobra twist! Dick and Yujiro link up with Evil to add leverage! They let go before the ref sees and Evil pushes Kanemaru to a cover, TWO!
Evil is frustrated but fans rally up. Evil scrapes his shoe off Kanemaru’s face, then tags in Yujiro. Yujiro snapmares then runs to basement dropkick! Cover, TWO! Yujiro tags Sho and Sho stands on Kanemaru’s head. Kanemaru gets up and CHOPS! Fans fire up as Kanemaru throws elbows but Sho rakes eyes! The ref counts, Sho runs, but avoids the dropkick! Kanemaru blocks Sho’s kick but Sho rakes eyes again! Sho runs, but Kanemaru dropkicks up high! Fans fire up as Kanemaru crawls over, but Evil and Yujiro rush in! But Desperado and ZSJ are ready this time! Desperado counter punches Evil while ZSJ gets Yujiro in a SLEEPER!
Desperado CLOBBERS Evil, then ZSJ feeds Yujiro to Desperado’s back suplex! Desperado then feeds Evil to ZSJ for a wrench and PELE to the arm! ZSJ WRINGS Evil’s arm out and then gets Yujiro for a spin and top wristlock STOMP! Desperado basement dropkicks, and Desperado hurries after Sho. ZSJ keeps Dick and that choker out while Desperado gives Sho a SHIN BREAKER! Feed to Kanemaru’s dropkick! FIGURE FOUR!! ZSJ keeps Evil out with a SLEEPER! Fans rally, Sho endures and reaches out, but Kanemaru drags him away! Desperado keeps Yujiro down, but Sho grabs at the ref! Sho tries to throw the ref down but Kanemaru keeps him up!
ZSJ gets in, he gets Sho’s head for a NECK TWIST!! Sho is dazed but still in pain! Only for Yujiro to throw Desperado into railing! Evil does the same to ZSJ and Abe-san again! Evil distracts the ref, Yujiro gets in to PIMP CANE CHOKE Kanemaru!! But ZSJ gets in to put Yujiro in a SLEEPER! Fans fire up but Evil goes after ZSJ! Evil blocks a boot and rakes the eyes! Evil then hits a BIG suplex! But Desperado gets in! Evil elbows him away but Desperado pulls Evil back and runs to SPEAR him down! Desperado swings at Yujiro but Yujiro spins him around. Desperado slips out of the dragon sleeper to facelock, but Yujiro BITES that hand!
The ref reprimands but Yujiro clubs the arm and CLOBBERS Desperado! ZSJ boots Yujiro then kicks his clothesline away! ZSJ EuroUppers Yujiro but Evil throws a heavy body shot! Evil whips ZSJ at the House’s corner but ZSJ stops himself from hitting buckles. ZSJ runs back, into a fireman’s carry! But he slips off to put on a SLEEPER! Evil RAMS ZSJ into the bare buckles! Evil kicks Desperado low, and whips him into the bare buckles! Evil runs, into a SPINEBUSTER! All six men are down and fans are fired up! Sho finally returns to the ring, but he has loaded up a kneepad! But Kanemaru gets Sho for a victory roll! TWO!!
Sho hurries and kicks but misses! Kanemaru ENZIGURIS, then scoop SLAMS Sho into a drop zone! Kanemaru goes up, MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO!! Sho survives but Kanemaru drags him right up. Kanemaru sees Dick drinking his whiskey! So Kanemaru BOOTS Dick and makes him spit the whiskey to the sky! Kanemaru then turns around, and he blocks Sho’s loaded kick! Kanemaru lets go because of the pain in his ribs! Sho then KICKS Kanemaru down! Sho hobbles but he drags Kanemaru back up and tucks him in. SHOCK ARROW!! Cover, House of Torture wins!
Winners: The House of Torture, by pinfall (still NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champions)
The Murder Machine mocks the Heel Master as he, Tokyo Pimp and the King of Darkness hold onto the titles. Will there ever come a day where they run out of tricks?
IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Chase Owens & Bad Luck Fale VS Great-O-Khan & Jeff Cobb!
Bullet Club came away with these belts in a Triple Threat, but now they must take on the United Empire 2v2! Will the Crown Jewel & Rogue General keep the titles Too Sweet? Or will the Dominator & “The Imperial Unit” crush the #GeneralsJewels and take these belts back?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see which faction keeps momentum going!
The teams sort out and Khan calls out Chase. Chase accepts and the bell rings as fans rally up. Chase shoots in but Khan is ready. They show off their amateur skills, grapple and Khan gets the legs to trip Chase. Khan waistlocks, Chase scrambles to ropes, and the ref counts the break. Khan lets off while keeping his eyes on Fale, and gives Chase a spank. Chase is annoyed but he gets up and pie faces Khan. Khan tackles Chase down and clamps on the head ‘n’ arm triangle! Fale hurries to hit Cobb first, then Fale stomps Khan. Khan lets Chase go, Fale brings Khan up by his ponytail, but then Khan hits a huge sayanagi! And then clamps on the head ‘n’ arm!
But Chase gets in and breaks the hold with the C-TRIGGER! Chase BOOTS Cobb off the apron, too, then stomps Khan down. Chase drags Khan up by his ponytail, wrenches it, and then bumps Khan off buckles. Tag to Fale, and the General’s Jewels stand on Khan’s back! Khan endures the “massage” and the ref counts, and Chase and Fale both step off. Fale stares Cobb down then stalks Khan to ropes. Fale drags Khan up to hammer away on his back! Fans rally for the Empire but Fale “surfs” on Khan’s back! Cobb is furious but the ref keeps him back. Fale steps off Khan to cover, TWO! Fale drags Khan over and tags Chase in.
Bullet Club mugs Khan, Chase snapmares Khan to NECK SNAP! Cover, TWO! Chase mocks Cobb and blows a snot at him! Fans rally up, Chase drags Khan up but Khan clamps on the IRON CLAW! But Chase slips free, rolls Khan up, and puts legs on the ropes! Cobb pushes the leg off and Chase is upset! Chase DECKS Cobb, then goes back to Khan. Chase drags Khan away, tags in Fale, and Fale stomps Khan down! Fale drags Khan up to throw body shots, and he punches Khan into a corner. Fans rally but Fale ROCKS Khan. Fale goes corner to corner but Khan dodges! Fale hits buckles, Khan hurries for his corner, but Fale stomps him down!
Fale drags Khan up and wants to make Khan kiss his feet! Khan resists, powers back up and MONGOLIAN CHOPS! And again! And again! Chase gets in but Khan gives him MONGOLIAN CHOPS! Fale kicks but Khan blocks to trip Fale and SPLASH! Fans fire up as Khan crawls past Fale and for the corner, hot tag to Cobb! Cobb rallies on Chase with big arms, but Chase BELL CLAPS! Chase runs, into an OVERHEAD Belly2Belly! Fale throws body shots and Cobb! Fale whips corner to corner, runs in but Cobb dodges! Fale hits buckles again, Cobb scoop SLAMS Fale! Fans fire up and Cobb wants Fale to get up again!
Cobb drags Fale up, reels him in, and fans rally as Cobb suplexes! Fale is too big, though, and he shoves Cobb away. Fale runs and CLOBBERS Cobb! But both men are down and fans rally up again. Fale hurries, tag to Chase! Chase runs in corner to corner at Cobb to forearm smash, then short arm LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Chase is frustrated, he brings Cobb up to a fireman’s carry, but Cobb slips off! Chase elbows Cobb first, then whips, only for Cobb to reverse and ATHLETIC PLEX! Cover, Fale breaks it! Fale runs to CLOBBER Khan at the corner! Chase & Fale double whip Khan, body shot, knee lift and LARIAT! Cover, TWO!
Chase is annoyed but the fans fire up. Chase WRECKS Khan with a dropkick, then regroups with Fale. Fans rally, Fale hauls Cobb up but Cobb ROCKS him first! Chase waistlocks but Cobb BOOTS Fale away. Cobb elbows Chase, ROCKS Fale, and repeat as he goes back and forth between them! Fans fire up but Fale JABS Cobb into Chase’s JEWEL HEIST! Cover, TWO!! Khan gets in but Fale is after him first. Khan MONGOLIAN CHOPS Fale, then MONGOLIAN CHOPS Chase, back and forth between them! HEEL STABS for both, but Fale CLOBBERS Khan! Fale kicks Khan out then goes after him while fans rally.
Aaron Henare protests what Fale is doing to Khan but the ref has him stand down. Chase runs at Cobb but Cobb blocks the C-Trigger! Cobb swings but Chase fires off the strike fest! But Cobb ROCKS Chase back! Chase goes to a corner, Cobb runs in but into a BOOT! Chase goes up but Cobb YANKS him down! Cobb whips, but Chase escapes the Tour to C-TRIGGER! And C-TRIGGER again! Fans fire up and Chase roars! Chase goes to Cobb, brings him up and in, but Cobb back drops free! Cobb runs in but misses in the corner! Fale SPLASHES Cobb, then fireman’s carries as Chase climbs! AX HANDLE DEATH VALLEY, and a PENALTY KICK! Cover, TWO!!
Fans fire up as Cobb survives, but Chase wants to finish this! Fale choke grips Cobb while Chase climbs again. But Khan BOOTS Fale into ropes! That trips Chase up and he lands on his jewels! Khan then clotheslines Fale out of the ring! Fans fire up and Khan hurries to get Cobb up. Cobb and Khan aim at Chase, Khan goes up top! SUPER BELLY2BELLY, into a TOUR OF THE ISLANDS!! Cover, the Empire wins!!
Winners: The United Empire, by pinfall (NEW IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions)
Khan & Cobb are TWO-TIME tag team champions! They get these belts back, proving it was only the Triple Threat that lost it for them! But then ROCKY ROMERO attacks! He DECKS Khan then fires off palm strikes on Cobb! Cobb blocks a kick, ducks the enziguri but not the HEEL KICK! Rocky wants to give Cobb Sliced Bread but Cobb shoves him into Khan’s BELT SHOT! Khan then clamps on the IRON CLAW! Khan drags Rocky up, for the ELIMINATOR! Trent may have won on Rampage but Khan tells Rocky he was stupid for doing this alone! The United Empire stands tall with these belts, but will they soon aim for more at the Forbidden Door?
The G1 Climax 32 Blocks are announced!
The massive round robin is back for the Summer! And this time, it will be TWENTY-EIGHT ENTRIES!! For the 50th year of NJPW, the 32nd G1 Climax will be the biggest yet!
And in this massive, star-studded line-up, it will be: The Rainmaker, Kazuchika Okada; The Good Bad Guy, Tama Tonga; The Ace, Hiroshi Tanahashi; Team Filthy’s Tom Lawlor; TMDK’s Jonah Rock; The Head Hunter, Yoshi-Hashi; The Fierce Warrior, Hirooki Goto; The Producer, Toru Yano; the Stone Pitbull, Tomohiro Ishii; The Imperial Unit, Jeff Cobb; The Dominator, Great-O-Khan; The Commonwealth Kingpin, Will Ospreay; The Ultimate Weapon, Aaron Henare; The Dragon, Shingo Takagi; The Cold Skull, Sanada; The Uncontrollable Charisma, Tetsuya Naito; The Switchblade, Jay White; The King of Darkness, Evil; The Fang Revived, Kenta; Tokyo Pimp, Yujiro Takahashi; The Rogue General, Bad Luck Fale; The Crown Jewel, Chase Owens; “Rock Hard” Juice Robison; The Holy Emperor, Taichi; the Submission Master, Zack Sabre Jr; The Murderhawk Monster, Lance Archer; The Celtic Prince; David Finlay; and moving up as a Junior Heavyweight, The Headbanga, El Phantasmo!
And for the first time in the G1 Climax, there will be FOUR BLOCKS! Each pool of seven will battle it out, with the semifinals on August 17th, and finals on August 18th! Get ready for the hottest summer in NJPW history!
Interim AEW World Championship Eliminator: Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Hirooki Goto!
CM Punk was going to face The Ace at the Forbidden Door PPV, but he is sidelined with a leg injury. AEW Dynamite saw The Maniac, Jon Moxley, win his golden ticket to Chicago, and now NJPW gets to put up a contender! Will the Once in a Century Talent keep his plans in tact? Or will the Fierce Warrior bring about the winds of change to the Windy City?
Tanahashi shows off the muscles and fans cheer. The bell rings and fans rally, “Let’s Go, Ace!” as Tanahashi and Goto circle. They tie up, Tanahashi waistlocks, but Goto wrenches free to a hammerlock. Tanahashi slips around to a waistlock then a headlock. Goto powers Tanahashi to ropes but Tanahashi turns things around on Goto. The ref calls for the break, Tanahashi lets off clean and fans cheer. Goto and Tanahashi circle, fans rally again, and the two tie up again. Goto waistlocks, Tanahashi switches but Goto switches back. Tanahashi drop toeholds and floats to a headlock. Goto slips out to headlock back.
Tanahashi fights up, Goto grinds the hold, and he hits a headlock takeover. Tanahashi headscissors, Goto kips free, and fans cheer. The two reset again as fans rally back up. They feel out a knuckle lock, Tanahashi kicks and wrenches but Goto slips around to a waistlock. They end up on ropes, the ref calls for the break but the two let off slowly. Goto pats Tanahashi on the shoulders but Tanahashi kicks him low! Tanahashi throws forearms and backs Goto to a corner. Tanahashi whips corner to corner but Goto reverses and runs in, into a back elbow. Tanahashi goes up but Goto shoves him down to the floor!
The ref checks, Tanahashi is okay to continue but Goto storms out after him. Tanahashi throws a body shot first, but clutches his arm. Tanahashi whips Goto hard into railing, but Goto comes right back to CLOBBER Tanahashi! Fans fire up and Goto takes a moment to check his back. Fans rally again, Goto stomps Tanahashi, and Goto drags Tanahashi up and into the ring. Goto steps inside and he kicks and CLUBS Tanahashi. Tanahashi throws a forearm so Goto gives it back and fans rally as they go back and forth. Goto knees low, CLUBS Tanahashi again, then stomps him. Goto drags Tanahashi up as fans rally again, and Goto CLUBS Tanahashi more.
Goto fires forearms in the corner, whips Tanahashi corner to corner and runs in, to MURAMASA! Then BULLDOG! Cover, TWO! Goto keeps focus as he clamps on a chinlock. Tanahashi endures the knee in his back and fans rally up. Goto digs his elbow into Tanahashi’s forehead before he JAMS it in! Cover, TWO, but Goto clamps back on with another chinlock. Tanahashi endures and fans build to another rally. Tanahashi fights up to his feet, he pries at the hold, then throws body shots. Tanahashi swings a Shotei but Goto ducks it! Goto kicks low, whips Tanahashi to ropes, but Tanahashi hits FLYING FOREARMS!
Fans fire up as Tanahashi fires up, and the “Let’s Go, Ace!” rally returns. Tanahashi brings Goto up, throws big forearms, and he scoops Goto to SLAM him into a drop zone! Tanahashi goes up the corner, SUNSET SENTON! Cover, TWO! Tanahashi keeps focus and the fans fire up again. Tanahashi waits on Goto to rise, and then he runs, but into a waistlock! Tanahashi resists the lift so Goto shoves him to a corner. Goto clotheslines in the corner, runs but into a dropkick to the leg! Tanahashi gets that leg, but Goto fights free to SAIDO! But Tanahashi’s right back up! Tanahashi staggers, fights the Saido and gets the leg, DRAGON SCREW!
Fans rally while both men are down. Goto grits his teeth and clutches his leg while Tanahashi shakes out the cobwebs. Tanahashi stands first, throws forearms, but Goto throws one back. Tanahashi throws more forearms, so Goto throws more forearms! Tanahashi throws three, Goto throws three! Tanahashi fires off four forearms, but Goto fires off four right back! Tanahashi fires off a strike fest, but Goto SHOTEIS! Tanahashi SHOTEIS and Goto drops! Tanahashi fires up and the fans are right there with him! Goto is dazed but getting up, and Tanahashi runs, into a fireman’s carry! USHIGOROSHI! Tanahashi writhes while fans fire up again!
Goto rises and he drags Tanahashi up in a dragon sleeper. Tanahashi fights it, but Goto gets that arm and ripcords Tanahashi around for another fireman’s carry! But Tanahashi SLINGBLADES out of it! Both men are down again and fans fire up more! Tanahashi forces himself up, gritting his teeth while his hair is all over the place. Tanahashi runs at Goto, but Goto throws him into a corner! DRAPING G T R!! But Goto can’t make the cover, he’s too sore! Fans fire up again as Goto rises! Goto roars and takes aim, BUZZSAW! Goto then hauls Tanahashi up in the dragon sleeper, but Tanahashi drops! But Goto sits on the victory roll! TWO!!!
Goto and Tanahashi are both surprised Tanahashi escaped! Goto hurries after Tanahashi but Tanahashi SHOTEIS again! Tanahashi staggers, Goto rises, and Tanahashi runs as fans rally. But Goto follows, only for Tanahashi to let him slip past! SLINGBLADE! Cover, TWO!! Tanahashi fires up, goes back up the corner, Goto stands, HIGH FLY ATTACK! Tanahashi hurries up again, HIGH FLY FLOW!! Cover, Tanahashi wins!!
Winner: Hiroshi Tanahashi, by pinfall (advances to Forbidden Door)
The Ace is still going to Chicago! Jon Moxley will no longer be chasing a fight with Tanahashi, Tanahashi is bringing the fight to him! Will the Once in a Century Talent be the first former IWGP Heavyweight Champion to get the AEW World Championship? Or will the Maniac finally get the win that he wants over Tanahashi?
KOPW 2022 Championship 10 Minute Unlimited Pinfall Scramble: Shingo Takagi VS Taichi w/ Miho Abe!
Don’t get it twisted, this isn’t an Ironman Match. In a remix of their 30 Count match, this is about getting as many counts as you can in 10 minutes! One, two, three or beyond, it’s all about a cumulative score! Who will have the most points by the time the buzzer sounds?
The introductions are made, the trophy is raised, and it’s time to see whose time is up!
Taichi and Takagi rush each other and Taichi BOOTS Takagi! Takagi stays up to throw a forearm! Taichi KICKS, Takagi forearms, and repeat as the fans rally with them! Taichi gets the edge but Takagi just CHOPS! Taichi CHOPS, Takagi CHOPS back! Fans rally as the CHOPS keep flying back and forth! CHOP after CHOP after CHOP and things just speed up! Takagi JABS, JABS and JABS, but Taichi choke grips! Takagi choke grips back! The ref tries to stop them but Taichi just holds the ref back with his free hand. Taichi kicks Takagi, Takagi kicks back. Taichi rebounds to BOOT, Takagi rebounds to BOOT, too!
Taichi BOOTS, Takagi BOOTS, and we’re a minute in. Taichi BOOTS again, so Takagi runs him over! Taichi gets up to BOOT Takagi down! Takagi is up, he blocks a boot, but Taichi kicks the lariat away! Takagi tries the Yukon Lariat but Taichi withstands it! Taichi wrenches to HOOK KICK, and both men fall over! Fans fire up and Takagi gets to ropes. Fans rally, Takagi eggs Taichi on. Taichi stays down so Takagi storms over, only for Taichi to kick him from below! Takagi grabs at Taichi again, only to be brought into a cradle! TWO! That’s two points for Taichi but Takagi gets a backslide! ONE gets him on the board!
Taichi hurries up but into an ELBOW, JAB, and YUKON feint to a cradle! TWO! Takagi takes the lead as we’re past two minutes in. Taichi gets to a corner while Miho coaches him up. Fans rally up. Takagi runs in and blocks a boot. Takagi clotheslines in the corner, then suplexes high and hard! Cover, TWO! Takagi has a good lead on Taichi as he sits Taichi up. Takagi digs his elbow in, then clamps on a chinlock. Takagi endures as we’re three minutes in. Takagi even pushes up to lean on the hold. Taichi endures so Takagi sits him up to rain down elbows! Takagi drops an elbow, then another, but Taichi avoids the senton!
Takagi hurries after Taichi to CLUB him at the ropes. Takagi KICKS Taichi in the back, stands on him, and then he drags Taichi up to throw knees into Taichi at the ropes. Takagi then whips Taichi, knees him at ropes again, and hits a DDT! Takagi runs to SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO, and that’s a 7-2 lead! Takagi says he’s just begun, and we’re past four minutes in! Fans fire up, Takagi gives toying kicks to Taichi and then drags him up. Fans clap, “TA-KA-GI!” “TA-I-CHI!” as Taichi fights off Takagi’s back suplex. Takagi CLUBS Taichi on the back, then runs in at the corner. Taichi dodges to GAMANGIRI! Takagi drops but so does Taichi as we near the halfway point!
Fans rally, Miho coaches Taichi, and Taichi hears the five minute announcement. Taichi hurries to give Kowata Kicks, a sobat, and a BUZZSAW! Cover, TWO! Taichi closes the gap and fans fire up as he brings Takagi up. Taichi KICKS Takagi in the back, then taunts him with toying kicks. Taichi KICKS Takagi in the back again, and again! Takagi grits his teeth, gets up, but Taichi KICKS him again! And again! There’s only four minutes left, but Taichi KICKS Takagi again! Taichi powers up, runs, but Takagi clotheslines him first! Takagi runs, Taichi gets around, DANGEROUS SAIDO! Cover, TWO!
Taichi is down one point and Miho cheers him on as we’re at 3:30! Taichi powers up as the fans fire up, and he runs to AX BOMBER! Direct hit, and here off the pants! Three minutes left, but Takagi clotheslines Taichi first! Takagi fires up in the corner, fires off headbutts in the corner, and Miho is worried now. Takagi pump handles and torture racks, but Taichi slips off! Takagi forearms, Taichi sobats, Takagi DOUBLE CHOPS but Taichi ROUNDHOUSES and GAMANGIRIS! Taichi fires up with just over two minutes left! Alabama Lift, tuck and- NO, Takagi slips out to ROLLING COBRA CLUTCH, THREE!! We’re not 10-6 at the two minute warning!
Taichi forgets a three doesn’t lose this for him, but he could lose if he can’t make up the gap! Taichi BOOTS, Takagi LARIATS! Taichi stays up, rebounds again, and LARIATS! Takagi stays up now, but Taichi runs in at him again. DOUBLE LARIATS collide, but neither falls! Just 90 seconds left as DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Fans fire up as Takagi LARIATS point-blank! And again! Taichi DECKS Takagi with a forearm! Taichi aims from the corner, but Takagi dodges the superkick to PUMPING BOMBER!! Cover, ONE?!? It still adds to the lead, but Taichi GAMANGIRIS! SLIDING FOREARM, cover, NONE?! Taichi kicks out before a count!
But we’re under a minute and Taichi’s down by five!! Miho is freaking out as Taichi is still dazed! Takagi can just play defense and win this, but he wants to finish Taichi off! Takagi gets Taichi up, fires boxing elbows, and we’re at 30 seconds! Takagi is just clubbing away on Taichi, but Taichi roars! So Takagi JABS! Takagi runs, Taichi dodges, they collide into a sumo clinch!! Under 20!! Takagi tries but Taichi blocks! Taichi sumo throws, GEDO CLUTCH!! FOUR!!! Another cover, TIME IS UP!!!! Takagi wins 11-10!!!
Winner: Shingo Takagi, 11-10 (still Mr. KOPW 2022)
Taichi almost forced a draw and overtime! But in the end, Takagi holds him off! Takagi makes sure Taichi understands that by pointing to the scoreboard. Will Takagi have even wilder ways to wrestle for this trophy as we head into the summer?
NEVER Openweight Championship: Tama Tonga w/ Jado VS Karl Anderson w/ Luke Gallows!
The Good Bad Guy thought he was done with Bullet Club after he got this belt off Evil. But now, the Machine Gun is back and taking aim at this title! Will Karl Anderson get his first NJPW singles title? Or will Tama NEVER let Bullet Club stop him again?
The moment Tama slides into the ring, he attacks Anderson with a dropkick! Fans fire up as Tama then stomps Anderson to a corner! The bell rings to get this on record as Tama throws down hands! The ref reprimands, Tama lets off and finally puts the belt aside. Tama then runs and clotheslines Anderson out of the ring! The introductions are finally made while Tama smacks Anderson off the apron. Tama stalks Anderson around the way, headlocks and punches, then follows Anderson up the ramp. Anderson mule kicks and CLUBS Tama! Anderson pushes Tama further up the ramp and stomps him down.
Gallows talks up Anderson while the ref reprimands. Anderson brings Tama up to scoop and SLAM on the ramp! Anderson looms over Tama, brings him up again, and cravats while taunting fans. But Tama fights free and DECKS Anderson off the ramp! Anderson hits railing and tumbles over with it! Tama then chases Anderson down to ringside and CLOBBERS him! Anderson throws body shots and CHOPS but Tama throws body shots and a haymaker! Anderson EuroUppers then brings Tama back to ringside. Anderson whips but Tama reverses and sends Anderson into railing! Fans rally up and Tama brings Anderson up to snap suplex to the floor!
Anderson writhes and Tama stalks up behind Anderson. The ring count finally starts but Tama RAMS Anderson into railing. Tama then puts Anderson in at 5 of 20 and fans rally up. Tama goes to the apron, keeps his eyes on Gallows, but Anderson uses that opening to HOTSHOT Tama off the ropes! Tama tumbles, Anderson wants after him but the ref gets in his way. Anderson uses this argument to distract the ref so that Gallows can drag Tama up! APRON CHOKE SLAM! Gallows runs off as Jado storms over and Tama flops to the floor. Gallows then DECKS Jado! The ref counts, fans rally up for “GOOD BAD GUY!”
Tama gets up as the count is 9 of 20, and he’s on the apron at 11. Anderson BOOTS Tama right off! Tama hits railing and the ref goes out to check on him. Tama is somehow okay to continue so Anderson wants the ring count! The ref starts the count again, Anderson is watching as Tama is still down at 10 of 20. Tama drags himself up, stands at 15 but staggers at 16! Tama hurries to get up again, and is in at 19! Anderson drags Tama around for a rain of fists! Cover, TWO! Anderson drags Tama back up, scoops and SLAMS him, then soaks up the heat. Anderson runs to hit a BIG senton! Tama writhes while Anderson soaks up more heat.
Anderson paces around, brings Tama up and rains down fists into Tama’s head! The ref reprimands the closed fists but Anderson lets off. Anderson sits Tama up to BITE his forehead! The ref counts, Anderson lets off and wraps on a chinlock. Anderson grinds Tama down, fans rally up and Tama endures. Tama fights up and throws body shots, but Anderson CLUBS him down. Anderson tosses Tama out of the ring, wants to go out after him, but again the ref stops him. So Gallows scoops Tama! But Jado saves Tama, and together they POST the Big LG! Fans fire up and Tama gets back into the ring! Tama and Anderson throw hands but Anderson whips.
Tama ducks and dodges to CROSSBODY! Direct hit and both men are down! Fans rally up, Tama throws a forearm! Anderson throws a forearm, but Tama gives another. Anderson hits Tama again, but Tama fires off more! Anderson ROCKS Tama, then whips him to the corner. Tama comes right back to CLOBBER Anderson! Fans fire up with Tama and he brings Anderson up for haymakers! Tama CHOPS, haymakers, repeat! Tama whips and dropkicks Anderson down! Off comes the vest! Fans rally, Tama runs corner to corner and STINGER SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Tama keeps focus and he goes to a corner to climb up top.
Anderson trips Tama up first! Anderson throws hands, climbs up after him, and throws more hands! Anderson brings Tama up but Tama throws body shots! Tama shoves Anderson down, then adjusts, and leaps over Anderson. Tama runs into a SPINESBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Fans fire up as Tama survives, but Anderson drags him back up. Anderson fireman’s carries but Tama fights free! Tama throws hands and a forearm, then leaps, SATELLITE DDT! Cover, TWO! Anderson survives but Tama fires back up! Fans rally behind him as Tama pounds the mat. Anderson slowly stands, Tama runs in, GUN-
NO, Anderson denies Tama, but misses in the corner. Anderson dodges in the corner to JUMP KICK! Anderson then gets Tama up, SIT-OUT POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO! Tama survives but Anderson says he’ll finish this! Anderson scoops Tama, but Tama fights free to get the dragon sleeper, TONGAN TWIST! Cover, TWO! Both men are down and fans fire up again! Tama stands but Anderson follows. Tama throws a forearm, but Anderson CHOPS back. Tama SLAPS Anderson, ROCKS him with a forearm, then waits on a response. Anderson throws a forearm, Tama gives it back. Anderson uppercuts then forearms, then throws another forearm.
Anderson backs Tama down, talks trash, but Tama hits back with forearms and body shots. Tama gets the strike fest going but Anderson UPPERCUTS! Tama PELES! Both men are down but Anderson goes to a corner. Anderson drags himself up and Tama runs in, but the splash hits buckles! NECKBREAKER from Anderson! Both men are down again, and fans build up to another rally. Anderson scowls, and he even tells Tama that “it” is coming. Anderson pounds the mat, Tama slowly gets up, GUN- NO, Tama denies it, but so does Anderson! Anderson follows Tama to ropes, GUN- NO, Tama denies Anderson again!
Tama copies Anderson’s shove and follow, but goes around him to build up speed. Anderson follows again, but Tama suckers him into GUN- NO! Anderson manages to hold off the Gun Stun and turns Tama around to reel him in. But Tama wrenches out, only to run into a scoop! BERNARD DRIVER! Cover, TWO!?! Tama survives and the fans are thunderous! Anderson is still focused, he loads up and aims, but Tama fireman’s carries! ROLLING DEATH VALLEY, the S R C! Tama climbs up top, for SUPREME FLOW! Cover, TWO!! Tama fires up and the fans are with him! Tama loads up, brings Anderson around and tucks the arms!
But Anderson back drops free! Anderson claims he’s hurting and that’s just to distract the ref so Gallows can get on the apron! Jado tries to stop Gallows but Gallows kicks him away! Tama sees Gallows, GUNSTUN for Gallows! But Tama turns around into GUNSTUN from Anderson!! Cover, Anderson wins!!
Winner: Karl Anderson, by pinfall (NEW NEVER Openweight Champion)
The Machine Gun needed a tank in his corner to take Tama down, but he still gets the win and this title! Will the Good Bad Guy ever get away from Bullet Club?
Vacated IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship: SANADA VS Will Ospreay w/ Aaron Henare!
Given Juice Robinson’s Rock Hard message to NJPW saying he would be staying in America, NJPW stripped him of the title! So now, the Cold Skull and the Commonwealth Kingpin face off as they were always meant to for this title! Who wins this rematch from the New Japan Cup to become the NEW IWGP US Heavyweight Champion?
The introductions are made, the belt is still in America with Juice, but official ownership is on the line in Osaka!
Ospreay rushes in at the bell but Sanada avoids the shotgun dropkick! Ospreay avoids Sanada’s standing moonsault, cravats to snapmare but Sanada handsprings through! Ospreay avoids the basement dropkick but Sanada avoids the buzzsaw! Fans applaud the fast exchange as the two stand off. Sanada and Ospreay circle while fans rally up. They feel out a knuckle lock but Ospreay headlocks. Ospreay hits the takeover, Sanada headscissors but Ospreay kips free. Sanada dropkicks Ospreay down and Ospreay bails out! Sanada PLANCHAS, and down goes Ospreay at the ramp! Fans fire up and Sanada encourages the fans to get louder.
Sanada stops going around the ring when Henare is there. Sanada goes back for Ospreay, puts him in the ring, then has him in a corner. Sanada stomps Ospreay, CLUBS him, then brings him around to CLUB him again. Ospreay ROCKS Sanada with a forearm, and another! Sanada blocks the kick to trip Ospreay, and fans fire up as he has the legs! But Ospreay kicks Sanada away, and CHOPS him on the return! Ospreay whips, Sanada reverses but Ospreay catches the hurdle to fireman’s carry and HOTSHOT! Ospreay runs and BOOTS Sanada down! Cover, ONE!! Sanada checks his face while going to center.
Ospreay brings Sanada up just to DECK him! Fans rally up with “SA-NA-DA!” “O-SU-PREAY!” Ospreay bumps Sanada off buckles, CHOPS him in the corner, and pretends to take a bite out of a sweet fruit. Ospreay whips Sanada corner to corner, then runs in but into a BOOT! Sanada runs, ducks and dodges, but runs into the SPIN-OUT BACKBREAKER! Fans fire up and Ospreay covers, TWO! Ospreay keeps cool, and he watches Sanada writhe. Fans rally, Ospreay sits Sanada up to knee him in the back and elbow him in the head! Ospreay traps an arm and leg then clamps on a cravat neck wrench!
Sanada endures, fans rally, and Sanada fights his way up. Sanada has the leg but Ospreay throws a forearm. Sanada throws a forearm back and they go back and forth! Fans rally and Ospreay wobbles, and Sanada throws more shots. Ospreay rakes eyes! The ref reprimands and counts, Ospreay lets off, and then he whips Sanada to ropes. Sanada reverses, Ospreay handsprings but Sanada lets him go up and over! The leg jams, then Sanada dropkicks the leg out! Both men are down and fans rally back up! Sanada kips up and fans fire up as he runs at Ospreay! Sanada CLOBBERS Ospreay, arm-drags, then gets around to atomic drop!
Ospreay hobbles, Sanada trips him up! Sanada ties Ospreay up in Paradise! Ospreay gets one arm free and escapes Paradise! Ospreay runs at Sanada, big jump for the sunset flip, but Sanada rolls through to tie Ospreay up again! Sanada makes sure to push down harder to keep Ospreay trapped, and now Ospreay is in Paradise. Fans fire up as Sanada aims from a corner, and he encourages the fans to get louder. The fans get louder and Sanada runs in to dropkick Ospreay out of Paradise! Cover, TWO! Sanada keeps cool and he brings Ospreay up. Sanada fireman’s carries, but Ospreay slips off and waistlocks!
Sanada elbows free, whips but Ospreay handsprings to NEURALIZER! Sanada is down and he goes to the outside. Ospreay hurries to the corner and climbs up, to SUPER SKY TWISTER!! Direct hit and down goes Sanada! Fans fire up and Ospreay makes sure his legs are okay. Ospreay gets up, brings Sanada up and into the ring, and then Ospreay aims from a corner. Fans rally, Sanada stands and Ospreay springboards, PIP PIP CHEERIO! Cover, TWO! Ospreay is annoyed but the fans fire up again. Ospreay brings Sanada up, reels him in, but Sanada fights the lift. Ospreay gives Sanada some Kowata Kicks!
Sanada stands up, looking annoyed. He DECKS Ospreay with a EuroUpper! Fans fire up and Sanada eggs Ospreay on. Ospreay snarls and gets up, and Ospreay fires a forearm! Sanada fires it back! Ospreay throws another so Sanada gives it back. Fans rally, the forearms fly faster, and Sanada gets the edge! ROLLING- ROUNDHOUSE! Ospreay calls his shot, springboards, but Sanada catches the cutter to a dragon sleeper! Ospreay snapmares free, tiger wall kick and ENZIGURI! Ospreay runs but Sanada catches him going low! Ospreay slips out of the facelock to full nelson but Sanada breaks free, only for Ospreay to HOOK KICK in the bad eye!
Ospreay springboards, OSCUTTER!! Cover, TWO?!? Sanada survives and Ospreay is shocked! Fans fire up again and Ospreay smirks. Ospreay drags Sanada up, reels him in, underhooks the arms, Canadian rack, STORM- RANA! Cover, TWO!! Ospreay escapes, and slips around Sanada to get him up! Sanada slips out of the bomb, and now Sanada lifts Ospreay into a Canadian Rack! AK-47! Fans fire up, Sanada hauls Ospreay up into chicken wings, TIGER SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Sanada hurries to scoop Ospreay and hits a BACKBREAKER! Ospreay is in the drop zone, Sanada goes to the corner!
Sanada climbs up, ROUNDING BODY PRESS onto knees! Ospreay takes aim, HIDDEN BLADE to the face!! Cover, TWO!?!? Sanada survives again but Ospreay vows to end this! Ospreay hauls Sanada up, underhooks the arms, Canadian Rack, but Sanada slips off! Sanada waistlocks and brings Ospreay to ropes for the O’Conner Roll! JAPANESE BRIDGE! TWO!! Sanada hurries but Ospreay pops him up to ROCK him with the forearm! Armband off, HIDDEN BLADE!! Ospreay hurries to get Sanada back up, Canadian Rack, STORMBREAKER!! Cover, Ospreay wins!!
Winner: Will Ospreay, by pinfall (NEW IWGP US Heavyweight Champion)
The Cold Skull wanted this title and his revenge, but he got neither! Now the Rev-Pro British Heavyweight Champion can call him self the Two Belt Billy GOAT! And even #GrandSlamOspreay as he has had the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship, NEVER Openweight Champion, and now the IWGP US Heavyweight Championship! Combined with Khan & Cobb taking back the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships, will the United Empire soon take over all of NJPW? Also, when will Juice give the belt over? Or will Ospreay have to make him?
IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Kazuchika Okada VS Jay White w/ Gedo!
AEW’s Cowboy, Hangman Adam Page, called out the Rainmaker for Forbidden Door, wanting at this title. But Adam Cole said that Okada won’t even have this title, it’ll be The Switchblade that brings it to Chicago. Will White prove Cole right? Or will Okada make it rain in Osaka-Jo Hall and accept Hangman’s challenge?
The introductions are made, the title is raised, and another chapter of this rivalry is written in the main event!
Before the bell, White gets fans to join in on the Too Sweet. Then the bell rings and fans fire up as these two stare down. White taunts fans being prohibited from cheering for Okada, but the fans still clap, “O-KA-DA! O-KA-DA!” White is annoyed so he gets in Okada’s face, saying he’ll show Okada who’s really the top guy in NJPW. They start circling but Gedo gets on the apron. Okada is wary, but White just Too Sweets Gedo again. Okada and White circle again, tie up, and are in a deadlock. White talks trash even then, but Okada starts backing White down! White turns it around to put Okada on the ropes.
Red Shoes calls the ropebreak, White lets off and mocks Okada’s shoulder pats. White eggs Okada on but Okada keeps his cool. Fans clap, “O-KA-DA! O-KA-DA!” but White dares them to say it! White resets with Okada and they tie up again. They’re in another deadlock, but Okada again backs White down. White turns it around but Okada turns it back around to put White on the ropes. Red Shoes again calls for the break, Okada slowly lets off, and he still fakes the chop to pat White on the shoulders. But White kicks low and CLUBS Okada on the back! White says he knows Okada’s game, and bumps him off the buckles.
White stomps a mudhole into Okada, then Too Sweet CHOPS Okada! Fans applaud, Okada goes to another corner and White Too Sweet CHOPS again! White smirks as he whips but Okada reverses to kick and turn White to a NECKBREAKER! Okada even mocks the Too Sweet while fans fire up. Fans rally behind “O-KA-DA!” as he brings White up to CLUB him on the neck. Okada stands White up again to ROCK him with a forearm. White staggers around but Okada brings him around for another CLUB to the neck. Okada snapmares White and runs to basement dropkick! Fans fire up while White bails out of the ring.
Okada waits for White to get up, and he builds speed, but Gedo trips him up! White gets in to CLOBBER Okada! White stomps Okada down at the ropes, then kicks him out of the ring. Red Shoes watches Gedo this time but White says he’s got this. Gedo backs off, White goes out after Okada, and even mocks Tanahashi on commentary. But Okada dodges the chop to kick low! Okada puts White in, and he stares Gedo down. Red Shoes tells Gedo to back off, and Okada gets in the ring. White gets Okada for a DDT! Gedo applauds and White gives a thumbs up and says he’s a genius! Okada flops back out of the ring so White pursues.
White again taunts fans with how he can chant, “O-KA-DA!” Fans clap “O-KA-DA!” but White brings Okada up to whip him hard into railing! Fans still rally with the claps and White “apologizes” to Okada. White whips Okada the other way and Okada hits more railing! White drags Okada up again, puts him on the apron and CLUBS Okada on the edge. White then undoes the Velcro apron skirt to strap it on over Okada to smother him! Red Shoes reprimands as White shouts at Okada to “breathe with the Switchblade!” Red Shoes counts, White lets off at 4 and again wants fans to chant Okada. Fans clap for “O-KA-DA!” as White undoes the apron skirt.
White tells Red Shoes to fix the skirt while he pushes Okada into the ring. White covers but Red Shoes refuses to count given the shenanigans. So White says if he’s not counting, he’ll CHOKE Okada! Red Shoes counts now, and White says fine, let’s cover! Red Shoes counts the pin, TWO! White is annoyed and he wants Red Shoes to shush. Fans rally up for “O-KA-DA!” again but White Too Sweet CHOPS! And Too Sweet CHOPS again! And Too Sweet Chops again! Okada staggers to a corner, White whips him corner to corner, and CHOPS Okada off his feet! Cover, TWO! White keeps his cool and he mocks the fans by clapping along now.
White flips everyone off then wraps on a rear bearhug. White wants Okada to look into the camera and admit defeat, but Okada fights up instead. White throws Okada down, covers, TWO! Another cover, TWO! A third cover, TWO!! A fourth, ONE! A fifth, ONE! Sixth, ONE! Seventh, ONE! Eighth, TWO! Ninth, TWO!! White is pissed, he stomps Okada, but Okada gets up to DECK White! Fans fire up but White gets up to CHOP. White whips, Okada reverses but White holds ropes to avoid a boot. White runs in, Okada dodges and BOOTS White on the return! Fans fire up while both men are down and catching their breath.
Fans rally, “O-KA-DA! O-KA-DA!” while White sits up in a daze. Okada and White stand, and Okada rushes in to rally with forearms and elbows. Okada whips, White reverses, but Okada ducks and dodges and CLOBBERS White with an elbow! Fans fire up as Okada is getting on his formula. Okada drags White up, whips him to a corner, and then runs in to back elbow! Kick and DDT! Cover, TWO! Okada is annoyed but he drags White up. White kicks low, runs, but into the FLAPJACK! White flounders away, right out of the ring. Fans rally again and Okada goes out to fetch White. Okada brings White up to whip him into railing!
Okada runs in to BOOT White over the railing! But Gedo CLUBS Okada! Okada doesn’t flinch, and Gedo begs for mercy. Okada EuroUppers Gedo, then tosses him over the railing to join White! Fans fire up and Okada gets some space. Okada runs back in, to FLY and CROSSBODY White and Gedo out! Fans fire up with Okada, but he needs a moment to catch his breath. Fans rally back up for Okada as he fetches White again. Okada CLUBS White on the neck, brings him to ringside, but White clings to railing. Okada CLUBS White again and again, and White lets go of the railing. White says they should get in the ring, but Okada goes to gut wrench!
White resists, clamping onto Okada’s leg. Fans rally, Okada CLUBS White again, and Okada tries again. White kicks and flails, then RAMS Okada into railing! Red Shoes reprimands but White RAMS Okada into railing again! White tells Red Shoes to wait on the count as he goes in then back out. White drags Okada up, HALF HATCH SUPLEX into the railing! White grins then bops Okada with a Too Sweet. White says now the count can start. White gets in the ring, fans rally up, and Red Shoes does start the ring count. Okada stirs at about 4 of 20, slowly turns over and pushes himself up. The count is past 10, and then 15 before Okada stands!
Okada hobbles at 17, gets in at 18, but White is watching from a corner. Okada slowly rises, White runs corner to corner and uppercuts! White then suplexes for the BLADE BUSTER! Cover, TWO! White is annoyed and Gedo is furious but the fans fire up that Okada survives. White talks trash, slaps Okada around, slapping to the rhythm of “O-KA-DA,” but Okada swings a punch! White catches it to a COMPLETE SHOT! White then hits a DEADLIFT GERMAN! White flexes and fans applaud, having to admit that was impressed. White mocks Okada, “Is this how you lead a company?”
White brings Okada up, reels him in, but Okada blocks the lift. White knees low, then lifts Okada to knee even harder! White tells Red Shoes to check on Okada but the fans rally up. Okada refuses to let this stop here so White drags him back up. White holds an arm in a top wristlock to then throw a heavy body shot! Okada doubles over as he staggers to a corner but White is after him. White RAMS his shoulder in again and again, then lets off to mock the fans again. White scowls as the clapping returns and he goes over to Okada. White brings Okada up, reels him in, but Okada fights the urenage again.
But White gets around to SAIDO Okada out of the ring! Okada has a rough tumble from apron to floor and White wants Red Shoes to check. Okada refuses to give up, so White goes out to RAM Okada into railing, right in front of Tanahashi! White is taunting Tanahashi and then he gets Okada up, APRON GOURD BUSTER! White watches Okada writhe while the fans rally up and the ring count starts again. White gets Okada in at 10 of 20, and White gets in to drag him up, URENAGE! Cover, TWO!! Okada survives and White is growing frustrated. White checks with Geod, what should he do to finish this?
White sits Okada up and wraps on the sleeper hold! But Okada fights and pushes White back into buckles. Okada tries again but White throws Okada into the corner and RAMS his shoulder in. White hoists Okada up top, CHOPS him, then climbs up after him. White reels Okada into another clinch, but Okada fights with elbows! Okada brings White down, then ROCKS him with a right! But White comes back, only for Okada to DECK him this time! White is dazed and fans rally up! Okada adjusts, aims, BIG missile dropkick! But double-edged because of the bad ribs! Fans fire up while both men are down again!
Gedo coaches White but Okada drags White up first. White throws a body shot and Okada backs off, only to come back with a SHOTGUN! Okada scowls but more in anger than pain, and he drags White back up. Scoop and SLAM, and Okada goes to the corner. The bad ribs don’t slow the climb, and Okada MACHO ELBOWS! Okada does wince as he stands back up, but he still gives the fans the Rainmaker Pose! Fans fire up and Okada brings White back up. White trips Okada and GROUND DRAGON SCREWS! White stares Tanahashi down as he GROUND DRAGON SCREWS Okada again!
White is sending a message to two NJPW greats as he gets the legs for the TTO, the Tanahashi Tapped Out! Or will it be renamed the OTO, the Okada Tapped Out, here tonight? White makes sure Tanahashi sees the inverted figure four as Okada endures and fans rally up! Okada fights, moves around, reaches out, but White drags him away! White even says it’ll be the OTO in just moments! But Okada refuses to give up! Okada drags himself towards other ropes, but White lets the hold go just to drag Okada away, into a TEXAS CLOVERLEAF! A direct message to the Ace! But Okada still fights as fans rally, and he gets the ROPEBREAK!!
White is frustrated but he holds until 4. White grinds his forearm into Okada’s head and he claims Okada has passed out. Red Shoes checks for himself but Okada is moving, so no, he’s not out cold. White tells Red Shoes to GTFO then, and he brings Okada up. Okada fights the sleeper, throwing elbows. White catches it to spin and CHOP Okada! Okada flops down, but White brings him back up just to CHOP again. And CHOP again! Fans still rally for Okada but White CHOPS again! Okada just glares at White! White knees low instead! White runs, but into a DROPKICK! But the bad leg and ribs hurt Okada again!
Fans rally, White flounders, and Okada brings him up by an arm. Okada wraps on the MONEY CLIP! White endures, fights up to his feet, pries at the hold, but Okada cranks the hold! Red Shoes keeps White from grabbing him, but then Gedo pesters Red Shoes. White RAMS Okada into Red Shoes!! Red Shoes goes down, White scurries away from Okada, and Gedo slides him a chair! But it goes too far! Okada sees the chair, though, and he grabs it first. Gedo freaks out and White realizes the problem. Okada kicks the chair out of the ring, shoves White into Gedo, then puts on the MONEY CLIP! Red Shoes gets up while White endures!
White is turning red but he reaches for ropes. Okada brings White back, for a BACKBREAKER! And then the MONEY CLIP is on again! Fans rally, White is turning purple, and he moves around. Okada keeps holding on, keeps cranking the hold, and White is fading! Gedo gets on the apron to distract Red Shoes, White LOW BLOWS Okada! White is free and both men are down again! Fans rally for “O-KA-DA!” as hard as they can but White crawls over to Okada, talking trash through the sputtering. White drags Okada up, coughs and gasps, and he brings Okada up while talking more trash. Okada ROCKS White with a forearm!
White flops out of the ring again, and fans fire up as Okada dares White to get back in. White returns, he eggs Okada on, then throws a forearm. Okada snarls and White waits on the response. Okada ROCKS White, and White staggers, but White comes back to ROCK Okada! Okada shakes that off, White fires another, and another, but Okada gives it back! Fans rally up as the forearms fly fast and furious! Okada DECKS White and roars! Fans fire up and Okada drags White by his arm. White pulls away, so Okada kicks him around. Okada CLUBS White, showing him some anger! Okada gets White up, short arm- SHOULDER to the ribs!
White smirks, and he stands Okada back up, but Okada still reels White in! White gets around the lariat to SNAP SLEEPER SUPLEX! Gedo fires up and White hurries to get Okada up again. REGAL PLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Okada escapes and fans fire up again! White says he’s got this, and he brings Okada up with a double wristlock. White reels Okada in, lifts, BLOODY SUNDAY! Shout out to The Prince! White then slashes his throat and he drags Okada up. Fans rally, White says it is time, and he short arm LARIATS! White still says it’s time, he brings Okada up again, another short arm LARIAT!
White says it IS time, BLADE- NO! Okada slips to a backslide, White rolls through, short arm LARIAT from Okada! Fans fire up again as Okada holds onto the wrist! Okada slowly rises, he drags White back up, but White kicks and kicks. Okada just stares at White, before the LARIAT! Okada roars, fans are thunderous, and Okada wants to get the arms. White resists, reaches for ropes, but Okada spins. White dodges, BLADE- NO, Okada slips out and gut wrenches, SPINNING TOMBSTONE! Okada hauls White up again, DISCUS LARIAT! Fans fire up, Okada drags White back up, ripcord and- NO, White dodges!
White has the wristlock and he ripcords, stolen RAIN- NO, Okada dodges! Okada scoops again, but White slips off. White clinches, BLADE- NO! Ripcord, RAIN- NO! White dodges and runs, into the DROPKICK! Fans are thunderous and Okada scoops White for a LANDSLIDE! Shout out to the KING of Strong Style! Ripcord and- BLADERUNNER!!! Cover, White wins!!!
Winner: Jay White, by pinfall (NEW IWGP World Heavyweight Champion)
The Switchblade cuts down Okada outta nowhere!! Gedo celebrates with his man while White mockingly pats Okada on the shoulder. Is the end of this reign the end of the rain? And of course, to celebrate their leader’s massive victory, Bullet Club comes out to celebrate with White! Karl Anderson, the new NEVER Openweight Champion! Taiji Ishimori, the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion! Ace Austin, the newest member and Impact X-Division Champion! El Phantasmo is with them, that trio victorious earlier tonight. Doc Gallows gets White a beer to celebrate, the club toasts this moment while Okada is taken away.
White gets a mic and fans do applaud to admit White was the better man here tonight. White tells the camera to stay right on him. “I have one quick message. HANGMAN ADAM PAGE! You want Okada? You want Okada!? You can have him. Because you ain’t f**king getting this! You dumb cowboy bitch!” White stands up to tell Osaka, “Say something. Say something! C’mon, say something! SAY SOMETHING! Don’t you wanna chant? C’mon!?” Fans do “Woo!” and holler, even though they aren’t really supposed to.
White wants to take us back to June 19th, 2016, “in this very building.” White had his last match as a Young Lion. He said good-bye to Japan and said, “You are my family.” Fans applaud that, and White continues with, “So f**king say something! SAY SOMETHING! I told you you are my family, are you not happy for me?!” Fans woo again and White demands more! The fans “WOO~” and White says yes, they are his family! And he wasn’t wrong. But today, June 12th, 2022, almost six years to the day, White is here as the Switchblade, the number one asset in ALL of pro-wrestling, the Last Rock ‘n’ Rolla, “the man who single-handedly sold out Madison Square Garden, and the United Center!”
White says he is King Switch! And once again, Tanahashi, White is the first, only and true GRAND SLAM CHAMPION! He is the REAL Belt Collector! And as you can see, he is the leader of Bullet Club, the Catalyst of Pro-Wrestling, and now, he is the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion!! Fans applaud and cheer and he wants more! They cheer more, and he says that’s right! The world now breathes with the Switchblade, this is still his era!! Fans cheer as White holds up the belt and the golden streamers fly! Will Hangman be denied a title match at Forbidden Door? Will Bullet Club take over NJPW and the world?
My Thoughts:
What an event for NJPW! I still skipped everything non-title, but if I’d known Yano was going to beat Gallows in just four minutes, I would’ve kept it. Bullet Club and United Empire were both strong tonight, setting up big Junior Heavyweight title matches. There’s a chance Six or Nine (Taguchi & Wato) manage to retain the tag titles since they lost here, and there’s a very good chance Hiromu takes the singles title off Taiji since LIJ lost here, too. I should’ve expected the House of Torture to retain the NEVER Openweight Six Man titles, Suzuki-Gun put up a good fight but that combo of Desperado, Kanemaru & ZSJ just didn’t feel like the right combo.
Great to see that Khan & Cobb got the heavyweight tag titles back, though at the same time, Chase & Fale not having anything to show for the night in the big group celebration kinda hurt Bullet Club’s dominance. But I hope this brings about a feud between Empire and Bullet Club to push both factions forward this summer. For one, what a STACKED G1 Climax this year. For another, Ospreay VS Sanada for the title Juice held. Juice will surely want that belt back, though not sure if he’ll be 100% in two weeks to have a match at Forbidden Door. At the same time, Forbidden Door is about NJPW VS AEW, maybe Juice waits to see who wins before making a move. But I would totally expect Juice VS Ospreay for that title at some point.
Tanahashi winning against Goto to go to the Interim AEW World Championship match was expected but that was a great match all the same. Tanahashi VS Moxley is going to be great stuff, too, but I would think Moxley wins to keep the AEW title in AEW. Takagi VS Taichi in that scramble match was great stuff, I really like Takagi’s ideas for these matches. It makes sense he wins to keep the trophy, who knows who steps up next. Tama VS Anderson was great stuff, especially with how they’re both Founding Fathers of Bullet Club and Tama was the young guy Anderson helped get going in NJPW. Anderson winning with cheating should’ve been expected, but still good for Anderson as he has always come close but had yet to win singles belts.
Already mentioned Sanada VS Ospreay but that was an awesome match. And the world title, Okada VS White, was an awesome match, too. Really cerebral but also really physical, and of course Gedo gets involved where he can. White winning was quite the shocker, as was White, a Heel, being able to get fans to defy Japan’s COVID regulations and make noise with their mouths. White of course refuses to defend his title against Hangman, that’s a very Heel move, but I bet that Hangman will still get his shot at the IWGP World Championship. Much like AEW keeping the (albeit interim) AEW World Championship, I would think White retains the IWGP title, no matter who AEW puts up against him. But you can bet White VS Hangman will be amazing because there’s history there.
My Score: 9.2/10
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Could this be the biggEST and strongEST SmackDown of the year?
SmackDown in Knoxville sees the returns of Bianca Belair, Cody Rhodes and John Cena, along with some final Money in the Bank qualifiers!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match Qualifier Triple Threat: Jade Cargill VS Naomi VS Nia Jax; Naomi wins and advances to Money in the Bank.
- R-Truth VS JC Mateo w/ Solo Sikoa; Mateo wins.
- Rey Fenix & Je’Von Evans VS Los Garza w/ Santos Escobar; Los Garza win.
- Zelina Vega VS Alba Fyre w/ The Green Administration; Zelina wins.
- Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match Qualifier Triple Threat: Carmelo Hayes VS Andrade VS Jacob Fatu; Andrade wins and advances to Money in the Bank.
PLAY BY PLAY
Bianca Belair is here!
Knoxville fires up for their strongEST, fastEST, quickEST, toughEST, roughEST, and greatEST hometown hero as she struts out to the ring. Bianca high-fives and hugs fans along the ramp, as well as mom and dad at ringside. Bianca then grabs a mic to say, “Man, it feels good to be in Knoxville!” The fans cheer and chant for “EST! EST!” Bianca says she loves them so much. And she couldn’t come out here without singing Rocky Top! Y’all ready? The fans cheer, and the music plays! Bianca conducts the fans as they sing for the University of Tennessee. In fact, the Lady Vols softball team is playing in the Super Regionals right now!
Bianca smiles and says this city is so special to her. Not just because it is her hometown, but because it is her safe space. She has her love and support from mom ‘n’ dad, and has all the fans who show up and show out for her. With everything Bianca’s been going through, losing at Mania, getting injured, losing tag titles and friends along the way, she just wanted to come back home to her safe space. The fans cheer, and Bianca says she came home to heal. While she’s not 100%, she is doing everything she can to get back to the ring and continue to show us why she is the EST of Tennessee and of WWE! The fans cheer that!
Bianca says with all that said, Knoxville, welcome to Friday Night SmackDown! But wait, she’s interrupted by Naomi! The fans boo but Naomi says, “Oh my gosh~! Finally! B, I am so glad you finally here on SmackDown!” Bianca says now is not the time, Naomi. Naomi asks Bianca to please hear her out. It has been way too long. Not a day has gone by when Naomi doesn’t think about what happened to them. What is there to talk about? What could Naomi say? What could she want from Bianca? The fans chant “YOU SUCK!” at Naomi, and Naomi says she just wants forgiveness. She is begging for it!
Naomi knows things go toff the rails, but she is here because she wants to fix it, she is trying to fix it, but she alone can’t fix it. Months have gone by, and Naomi has tried to communicate, to say the past can be the past and that they can move forward. Bianca has not responded back to Naomi once. Naomi even visited Bianca’s parent’s house! But no one would answer! WHAT?! Mom ‘n’ Dad don’t know about that, but Naomi says no one was home, so she let herself in! Naomi looked through the photo albums, the one right on the front coffee table. And in those photos, Bianca looked so happy. It reminded Naomi of how they were as tag team champions.
Bianca stops Naomi there. Naomi, Bianca will make this perfectly clear. They were best friends, but Naomi betrayed Bianca’s trust. Naomi took their friend, Jade, and threw her onto a car, then lied about it for months! Bianca said she was done with Naomi, she meant that, and if Naomi ever comes near her family again, what Naomi did to Jade will be nothing compared to what Bianca does to Naomi. The fans fire up for that! Naomi gets emotional, but then she gets mad. “Y’know, Bianca, it wouldn’t be good for you and your mama to be in a wheelchair.” The fans boo as Naomi laughs maniacally. Naomi says she’d hate if something happened to Bianca here and now!
Naomi storms up on Bianca, but then JADE makes her way out here! Naomi is even angrier now, but this Storm starts throwing hands! The fans fire up as Jade BOOTS Naomi down! Bianca and Jade look to each other, neither really saying or doing anything. Naomi runs up but Jade TOSSES her out! Jade and Bianca look to each other again, but then here comes NIA! The Irresistible Force won’t be left out of this, especially when this is the Women’s Triple Threat Qualifier for the night! This match now opens the night, who earns SmackDown’s final golden ticket to the Women’s Money in the Bank ladder match?
Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match Qualifier Triple Threat: Jade Cargill VS Naomi VS Nia Jax!
SmackDown returns, this match is already going, and Naomi POSTS Nia! Naomi stalks Jade, rains down forearms, and the fans boo. Naomi stomps to BITE Jade’s hand! Jade still fights back, so Naomi has the arms to STOMP Jade down! Naomi flexes, the fans boo, and Naomi puts Jade in a corer. Naomi runs to DROPKICK Jade in the corner! Naomi SLAPS Jade, drags her into the drop zone, then goes up, up, and twerks! HIP DROP! Naomi covers, ROPEBREAK! Naomi is annoyed but she sits Jade up to stomp a mudhole in. But Nia runs up! Naomi dodges, the HIP ATTACK hits Jade! Naomi goes to the apron to ROUNDHOUES Nia!
Naomi reels Nia in for a HEATSEEKER! Nia flops to the floor, the fans rally for Jade, but Naomi kicks her around. Naomi goes up the corner, leaps, but Jade catches her! Jade FALL AWAY SLAMS Naomi, then kips up! Knoxville fires up with Jade and she runs up to LARIAT! And ELBOW! And SCRAPBUSTER! Cover, Nia breaks it! The fans boo but Nai huffs ‘n’ puffs and drags Naomi up. Nia whips Naomi, pops her up and HEADBUTTS her down! Then she SAMOAN DROPS Naomi! Nia soaks up heat, then lines the two up. Naomi grabs at Nia’s leg but Nia CLUBS her down! Nia stomps Jade for good measure, then drops a leg, brother!
Nia TOSSES Jade out, then goes up the corner. Nia SUPER LEG DROPS on Naomi!! Cover, TWO!!! Naomi survives and Nia is shocked! The fans rally while Nia stalks Naomi. Naomi clings to ropes as Nia pulls at her arm. Nia CLUBS Naomi, whips her to ropes, then SAMOAN DROP- NO, Naomi makes it a CRUCIFIX DRIVER! Ghost pin, TWO!! Nia survives the sudden turnaround, Naomi sees Jade crawling in, and Naomi goes after her as SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Naomi KICKS Nia while she’s down, then kicks her more. Naomi puts Nia in a corner, CHOKES her on the ropes, then clamps on with a SLEEPER! Nia THROWS Naomi away, then TOSSES her out. Nia soaks up heat, but Jade runs in and rolls Nia up! TWO! Nia stands, and she HEADBUTTS Jade down! Nia looms over Jade, drags her up, but Jade fires forearms! Jade backs Nia down, then runs, and she CLOBBERS Nia outta the ring! Jade fires up and has the fans with her. Jade drags Naomi up from the apron but Naomi fires hands. Nia is back to HIP ATTACK Jade against the POST! Nia soaks up more heat, then taunts Naomi.
Naomi stands on the apron, argues with Nia, but they apparently agree to mug Jade for both their benefit. They put Jade in the corner, Naomi digs her boot in, and then Nia sends Naomi in for a SPALSH! Nia adds a SPLASH of her own! Naomi snapmares Jade, runs, and SLIDING LARIATS! Jade sputters and Nia taunts her. Nia and Naomi soak up the heat together, but Jade fights back! Nia HEADBUTTS Jade down! Nia drags Jade up, and Naomi KICKS Jade low! They soak up more heat, talk trash on Jade, and SmackDown returns to single picture. Nia scoops and SIDEWALK SLAMS! Naomi runs to SPLIT LEG DROP! Cover, but Nia drags Naomi away!
Nia and Naomi argue again, and then Naomi rolls Nia up! ONE, and Nia grabs Naomi to shove her to a corner! Nia SPLASHES, then pushes Naomi down. Nia runs to SENTON! Nia grins while Naomi sputters and the fans rally up. Jade rises to fire forearms on Nia! Then she ELBOWS Naomi in a corner! She ELBOWS Nia, but then Nia follows Jade! Jade dodges so Nia SPLASHES Naomi! Jade then SUPERKICKS! Nia wobbles, Jade SUPERKICKS again! And SPINEBUSTERS! But Naomi METEORAS! Cover, TWO! Jade survives and the fans rally up. Naomi goes up, SPLIT- LEG MOONSAULT on Nia! But Jade has Naomi in the chicken wings!
Jade brings Naomi around, JADED!! Cover, Nia CLOBBERS them both! The fans rally while all three women are down! Nia climbs a corner, Jade is after her with forearms! Naomi joins in, drags Jade back, but now they trade shots! Nia DOUBLE CROSSBODIES! Cover on Jade, TWO! Cover on Naomi, TWO! Nia grows frustrated but the fans rally up again. Nia drag Naomi up, fireman’s carries, and she climbs the corner! The fans already anticipate what’s coming, SUPER SAMOAN DROP!! Cover, JADE FROG SPLASHES IN!! Cover, TWO!!! The fans fire up while all three women are down again! “This is Awesome!”
Jade rises, she clamps onto Nia, but Nia HEADBUTTs her! And HEADBUTTS Naomi! Jade BOOTS Nia down! Cover, TWO! Jade runs up on Naomi but Naomi BOOTS her! Naoim goes up top but Jade is right on her! They fight for control, but then Nia joins in! TOWER OF DOOM!! Nia double stacks her opponents, for a A-NIA-LATOR!! Naomi avoids it, Jade takes it all! Naomi ghost pins Nia, AND WINS!!
Winner: Naomi, by pinfall (advances to Money in the Bank)
Nia did a lot of the damage, but it is Naomi who wins out! Will everyone in the Women’s MITB Ladder Match now have to #ProceedWithCaution?
Solo Sikoa’s crew arrives.
Solo says they will win Money in the Bank together! Jacob Fatu, Solo Sikoa, whichever one wins MITB wins it fof the family! But then they hear R-Truth talking to… Lil’ Jimmy? Solo says Truth’s childhood hero beats him, and now he’s talking to ghosts. Truth taps Solo on the shoulder and asks if there’s something Solo wants to say. Solo says Truth is crazy touching him. JC Mateo steps up but Solo has him stand down. Truth says he wants to be honest. He’s never seen JC a day before in his life. Is this Solo’s son? He’s husky! Truth asks if he can teach Solo’s husky son a lesson in the ring. Solo says that sounds good to him.
Truth says he’ll go talk to Nick Aldis. “Boy, y’all big boneded!” Truth heads off, and Solo says don’t worry, they’ll take care of him. Let’s have fun. Fatu says keep it 100. They can have their fun, he’s got his own business to take care of. Yadada mean? The Imperial Unit against Truth, Samoan Werewolf in a qualifier, will everything go the family’s way?
Chelsea Green confronts Nick Aldis.
The Hot Mess hides behind a cardboard cutout of herself as she tells the SmackDown General Manager, “What happened on Saturday night was a deliberate-” Piper Niven has to direct Chelsea to point at Aldis, and Aldis says he can’t quite understand her from behind the cardboard mask. Piper holds the mask between Chelsea and camera, though we do get a glimpse of her fancy headgear. Chelsea repeats herself, but Aldis says she needs to be looking at him when they talk. Chelsea hides her face in shame, but she says it is still a deliberate hitjob put on by vicious Zelina Vega! Even her Secret Her-vice could not stop it!
Chelsea demands that Zelina be suspended, stripped of her title, and that Chelsea be reinstated as the champion! Chelsea, no need to be so ugly about this. Gasp! Aldis says what he means is, no suspensions, and we can talk a rematch down the road once Chelsea is medically cleared. Then he is doing nothing for what Zelina did to Chelsea?! Alba says if he won’t, then they will! Yeah, Zelina VS Alba! Tonight! Alba is a bit surprised, but Aldis says, “Chelsea knows best. Alba VS Zelina, I actually like the sound of that. I will make that official right now, if you do one thing for me. Please leave me alone.”
The Green Administration hurries away, but will Alba make sure Chelsea brand justice is served? Or will La Muneca just keep racking up the wins?
Backstage interview with Tiffany Stratton.
Byron Saxton is with the WWE Women’s Champion, and says that MITB is around the corner. Tiff successfully cashed in her own contract to become champion, but how is she handling the pressure of knowing the same thing could happen to her? Tiff says she can’t wait to see who wins MITB. Then she can handle the pressure by being prepared. Having this title makes her the top threat to the division, but let’s be fair. She’s always been the girl everyone has been obsessed with. So whoever wins, targeting her will be a big mistake. But then in steps Naomi.
Naomi says if Tiff thought Nia was a problem, then she ain’t seen nothing yet. Naomi vows to win MITB and cash in for Tiff’s title, wherever and whenever she wants. And in case Lil’ Miss Tiffy forgot, when Naomi was fighting for a championship, Tiff stayed in Naomi’s way. Wanna know what happens when people play with Naomi? Just ask Jade. Naomi heads out, and Alexa Bliss steps in. Alexa says she wouldn’t be so worried about Naomi. Be worried about Alexa. Alexa heads out now, Tiff clutches to the title a little bit tighter, who will be trying to run the clock out on Tiffy Time?
R-Truth VS JC Mateo w/ Solo Sikoa!
To Solo’s point, #RonCena could not make John Cena see the light at Saturday Night’s Main Event, and Truth might be relapsing if he’s talking to Lil’ Jimmy again. But will Truth relapse so far that we get the R-Truth that was once United States Champion? Or will a Tour of the Islands send Truth off the deep end?
SmackDown returns and JC makes his entrance, Solo backing him up. The bell rings and Truth runs up, only for JC to RAM him into a corner! JC RAMS Truth again and again, then lets off. JC whips corner to corner hard and Truth falls in a heap! JC whips corner to corner again just as hard, and Truth falls in a heap again. Solo talks trash but the fans rally behind Truth. JC runs up but Truth dodges! Truth SHOULDER TACKLES! JC stays up, so Truth runs and SHOULDER TACKLES! “What’s Up?” Truth runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, and SHOULDER TACKLES! Then he hits the SPIN OUT- CROSSBODY! JC then gets up to GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULT!
JC smirks as he looms over Truth, and Solo says to finish this off now. JC runs to SENTON but Truth moves! Truth calls for it! “YOU CAN’T SEE ME!” FIVE KNUCKLE SHUFFLE! Truth fireman’s carries JC, but JC is too much! Truth falls over again! Solo laughs, JC whips, TOUR OF THE ISLANDS!! Cover, JC wins!
Winner: JC Mateo, by pinfall
Truth tried to be like John Cena of old, but it just wasn’t meant to be. JC beats up on Truth more, then stands him up for Solo! But here comes BIG Jim! Jimmy has a chair, he runs JC off, but Solo stands his ground. Solo says his brother wouldn’t hit him with that chair, would he? Jimmy steps to Solo so Solo steps out, but that lets JC CLOBBER Jimmy! But then Solo has JC stand down! They’re family! Solo and JC leave, leaving Jimmy wondering what this is about. Will Jimmy make it clear to Solo that Jimmy’s not the one who has to come to his senses?
The Street Profits are here!
The WWE Tag Team Champions walk through the smoke to be on stage and the fans cheer. Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford hold up the titles, walk to the ring, then step inside. The fans cheer as they hold up the belts again, then the Profits grab the mics. Ford says, “Knoxville, Tennessee, oh I love everything about you, and what I have, too. But lemme rap to y’all real fast. This tag team division that we’re a part of, the greatest tag team division on any brand, any promotion… It’s on fire right now.” Dawkins says, “Talk to ’em.” Ford says, “But just like how the gorilla fears us, make no mistake about it, let’s not forget who’s leading the charge right now: The Street Profits.”
The fans cheer, and Dawkins says hey, they got all the teams coming at ’em! DIY, Motor City Machine Guns, Fraxiom, and now… The Wyatts?! The fans cheer that, and Ford says that’s sick. But what big bro is saying, it don’t matter who it is, the Profits will defend against anybody. Well hold on, here comes Fraxiom! Nathan Frazer & Axiom go to the ring to stand with the Profits, and they have mics. Frazer says alright, since the Profits are talking about defending the titles, well, Frazer & Axiom didn’t exactly get a fair shake. Ford says, “Fraxiom, is it?” He congratulates them for being on a roll, but up until the Wyatt Sick6 got in the Profits’ business…
Yeah, the Profits had them beat. Wow, oh, okay. Sure, maybe… But maybe not. Thanks to the Wyatts, we’ll never know. And now that those shenanigans are behind us, it is fair to say that Fraxiom and the Profits need to run it back! The fans like the sound of that! But wait, here come the Machine Guns! Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin have mics, and Shelley says okay, hold on, sorry to interrupt. Fraxiom’s entire basis for a rematch is that the Profits never beat them. Well, last time Shelley checked, the Profits never beat MCMG! So if they’re handing out title matches, MCMG will take one. But naturally, here comes DIY!
Tommaso Ciampa, Johnny Gargano, and Candice LeRae have their own mics, and the Poison Pixie says no no no no. She is pretty sure “you losers” have had a million chances, and “the nerds” just got here. Whoa, hold on? Just got here? Sounds like Candice just got back, so she should do us a favor and shut up. Gargano says you shut up, idiot! The reason DIY brought in Gargano’s beautiful wife is to even the odds against all of what this is! Everyone can see there is a conspiracy in the tag team division to hold down the BTTITW! And now with the Wyatts showing up- Ciampa has Gargano ixnay on the amily-fay.
Do not talk about you know who, scratch that, let’s get to business. All these teams have all KILLED the tag division that DIY built! Matter of fact, let us hold a moment of silence for the death of the SmackDown Tag Division. Everyone, stand up, bow your heads, and give a moment of silence… now. OH NO! The lights go out! All the teams panic, because when the lights turn on, UNCLE HOWDY is on the corner! Howdy laughs, because the rest of the Wyatts flank the ring! Erick Rowan drags MCMG out to DOUBLE LARIAT! Dexter Lumis is up top to CANNONBALL onto the Profits and Gargano! Joe Gacy is in, and he handsprings to bring Fraxiom to the UPSIDE-DOWN!!
Lumis then runs, POWERBOMB SENTON COMBO on Axiom! Ciampa freaks out, turns around, and Nikki Cross is there! CROSSBODY onto Candice! The fans fire up, and Howdy has Frazer for SISTER ABIGAIL! “We’re here!!” It is just as the Profits said, and now it is clear. Will some killer combination of the Wyatts go right after the gold?
Rey Fenix & Je’Von Evans VS Los Garza w/ Santos Escobar!
Worlds Collide is just over a week away, and all four of these men will be involved. The Immortal Firebird and the Young OG are going after the NXT North American Championship in a Fatal 4 Way while Legado Del Fantasma will be taking on AAA’s Pagano, Psycho Clown y El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. Who will be heading for Los Angeles with all the momentum behind them?
Speaking of that North American Championship, the champion is here! Ethan Page joins commentary and says what a year for him, to be honest. Wade says that title has never looked better than on Ethan’s shoulder. Fenix makes his entrance now, followed by Je’Von’s. The teams sort out and Fenix starts against Angel. Angel and Fenix circle, the fans rally up, and the two tie up. Angel fires a forearm, Fenix fires back, repeat! Fenix gets the edge but Angel shoves then drops down. Fenix cartwheels over the dropdown, then comes back, ducks ‘n’ dodges, and RANAS! Angel tumbles, the fans fire up, and Fenix somersaults, but into a fireman’s carry!
Fenix slips free, ripcords to ROUNDHOUSE, but Angel HEADBUTTS! Both men stagger back, tags to Berto and Je’Von! Je’Von dodges and springboards to BOUNCY~ roll-up! TWO, and Berto mule kicks! Berto CLUBS Je’Von, whips, but Je’Von reverses and slips around. Berto bucks the O’Conner, springboards and CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! Berto drags Je’Von up, but Je’Von kicks! Berto blocks, but the ENZIGIRI hits! Je’Von runs up, and BOUNCY~ RANAS! The fans fire up and Je’Von DROPKICKS! Berto bails out, Angel runs in, but Je’Von goes Matrix to dodge! Je’Von kips up, and STUNNERS! Angel flops back and the fans fire up!
Los Garza regroups, Je’Von tags Fenix, and they build speed, but have to dodge Angel first. Fenix SOBATS, Je’Von KICKS, and both men ENZIGIRI! Berto is up top, he leaps, but into DOUBLE SUPERKICKS! Cover, TWO! Fenix runs to basement CALF KICK! Cover, TWO! Berto stays in this for Los Garza while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Fenix drags Berto up to RAM him into the corner. Tag to Je’Von and they mug Berto. Berto fires hands back on Je’Von, but Je’Von headlocks. Berto powers up and out and Angel tags in. Berto drop toeholds Je’Von into Angel’s KNEE at the ropes! Angel TEARS OFF HIS PANTS! Angel drapes those over Je’Von before he KICKS Je’Von in the side! Angel stalks Je’Von to the corner, tags Berto, and they shove Je’Von for a double hip toss, TU LO SABE! Then DOUBLE SUPERKICK! Berto covers, TWO! Berto argues the count but the ref defends it. Berto shoves Je’Von to ELBOW him down! Berto then DUMPS Je’Von down to be under the ropes.
Tag to Angel and Berto sits Je’Von up on the apron. Angel runs to KNEE Je’Von down! Santos joins in with Los Garza as they soak up the heat, and Angel drags Je’Von back in. Angel stands Je’Von up, hoists him to the top rope, then climbs up behind him. Angel CLUBS away on Je’Von, mocks the clapping, and he THROWS Je’Von down. Angel KICKS Je’Von in the arm and Je’Von clutches his hand. Angel drags Je’Von to the ropes, CHOKES him, and the ref reprimands. The ref counts, Angel steps off at 4, and Berto BOOTS Je’Von down. ANgel clamps onto Je’Von with an armlock and chinbar but Je’Von reaches for Fenix.
Angel keeps hold of Je’Von but Je’Von fires hands! SmackDown returns to single picture as Je’Von dodges the lariat, leaps, but Angel catches him! Angel puts Je’Von in a corner and through ropes. Angel pulls an arm and leg against the ropes, but stops as the ref counts. Angel runs to KNEE Je’Von in the ribs! Je’Von slumps to the apron, and Angel sucker punches Fenix! Angel goes back for Je’Von but Je’Von fires body shots! Angel blocks a kick, slips around and Gory Especials! Angel walks over, tags Berto, and Berto slingshots, GARZA ESPECIAL! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up for Je’Von but Berto clamps onto him with a chinlock.
Je’Von endures, even as Berto traps an arm. Je’Von fights up, pries the hold open, and he arm-drags Berto! Je’Von leaps but Berto grabs a leg! Ethan laughs from commentary, but Je’Von kicks free to SUPERKICK! Both men are down, Je’Von and Berto crawl, hot tags to Angel and Fenix! The fans fire up as Fenix rallies on Angel with forearms! Fenix then dodges a shot to springboard and FLYING ARM-DRAG, to a DOUBLE STOMP! Fenix fires off KICKS on Berto, then fires up with Knoxville! Fenix uses Berto to jump up and RANA Angel! Fenix then goes corner to corner to JUMP SOBAT! Fenix fires hands, shoves Angel aside, then goes up.
Fenix springboards to QUEBRADA! Cover, Berto breaks it! Berto whips Fenix, Fenix goes Spider-Man, and Je’Von tags in! Fenix says HASTA LA VISTA, BABY! Angel is up, he pops Fenix up to KICK him! But Je’Von springboards to FLYING LARIAT! The fans fire up, Berto springboards to FLYING CHUCK! All four men are down and the fans fire up again! “This is Awesome!” as Angel and Je’Von crawl. Angel CHOPS Je’Von, Je’Von CHOPS back, and the fans “WOO~!” Angel CHOPS again, so Je’Von CHOPS again! Angel fires a forearm, Je’Von fires back, and they go around with forearm after forearm! The fans fire up, Angel CHOPS, a
nd Je’Von SUPER PUNCHES!
Je’Von runs, BOUNCY- NO, Angel makes it a SIT OUT POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Ethan is surprised and the fans rally up. Angel hoists Je’Von up top, tags Berto in, and they hoist Je’Von up even higher! But Fenix SHORYUKENS Angel down! Je’Von fires hands on Berto and SHOVES him down! Fenix climbs up to join Je’Von now, and ADIOS AMIGO DOUBLE STOMPS for Angel! Je’Von adjusts, to SUPER DUPER SWANTON onto Los Garza! Ethan says don’t get closer, keep this in the ring! He taunts both his challengers, Fenix and Je’Von stand down to put Los Garza in the ring. The fans rally up, but then Ethan CLOBBERS Fenix & Je’Von!
Ethan TOSSES Fenix over the desk! But Je’Von SUPERKICKS Ethan down! The fans fire up, Je’Von hurries in, and he dodges Angel! But Berto rolls Je’Von up, TWO!! Je’Von dodges Berto, rebound and RED DOT!! Berto is down, Angel gets up, but Je’Von DECKS him! Je’Von goes up, up, but Santos distracts the ref! Ethan SHOVES Je’Von down! The fans boo but Berto tags Angel! Los Garza hoists Je’Von up for M T Y!! Cover, Los Garza win!
Winners: Los Garza, by pinfall
All Ego grins as he screws over two of his three challengers, and now Legado is rolling towards Worlds Collide. But will these rudos get everything they deserve in LA?
The Wyatts speak.
“We won’t stop. Not until we get what’s owed.” A simple yet ominous threat, are the tag titles only the beginning?
Zelina Vega VS Alba Fyre w/ The Green Administration!
La Muneca held onto the WWE Women’s US Championship by smacking The Hot Mess in the face with a foot, and obviously Chelsea is not happy with it. But will Alba get payback on behalf of her fearless leader? Or will things only get uglier for the Green Regime?
The bell rings and Piper distracts Zelina so Alba can CLOBBER her! Alba fires off hands, then bumps Zelina off buckles. Alba bumps Zelina off more buckles, then more buckles! And then the fourth corner! Chelsea says Zelina should’ve never messed with her! Alba fireman’s carries but Zelina fights free. Zelina KICKS Alba, KICKS again, then KICKS, but Alba CLUBS Zelina. Alba whips, scoops, and- NO, Zelina swings through to RANA! Cover, ONE! Zelina headlocks but Alba fights up and lifts Zelina. Zelina holds on but Alba powers up and out to RUN Zelina over! The fans boo but Chelsea cheers as Alba stalks Zelina.
Alba ROCKS Zelina, whips her to ropes, but Zelina wheelbarrows and arm-drags! Zelina then runs up on Alba in the corner and rains down fists! Alba shoves Zelina away at three, but Zelina comes right back to rain down more shots! Alba stops Zelina at four now, but Zelina wants another go! Alba stops Zelina at four again, and RAMS her into the corner! The fans boo but Alba grins. Zelina BOOTS Alba, goes up, and FLYING RANAS! Alba tumbles out, Piper helps her up, and Zelina goes to the apron. Alba trips Zelina up, spins and ROCKS Zelina, then gets her up. Gory Especial, but Zelina flips through to arm-drag Alba onto ropes!
The fans fire up as Zelina dials up, but Chelsea is on the apron! The ref argues with Chelsea while Zelina redials, but Piper trips her up! The fans boo but Alba SUPERKICKS Zelina! Alba salutes to Chelsea, and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Alba stands on Zelina’s hair while pulling Zelina’s arms! The ref reprimands, Alba steps off, and she drags Zelina up to suplex for the GOURD BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Zelina stays in this and Chelsea argues with the ref. The ref says the count is fair, so Alba clamps onto Zelina with a COBRA CLUTCH! Zelina endures, the fans rally, and Zelina fights up. Zelina fires body shots, Alba ripcords and wrenches to SUPERKICK! Zelina rebounds to SHINING WIZARD! Both women fall and the fans fire up! Piper coaches Zelina, the fans rally up, and both women rise up. Alba is on Zelina and brings her to a corner, but Zelina buckle bumps Alba first!
The fans rally as Alba stalks Zelina, but Zelina bumps her off buckles again! Alba tries again, but Zelina ELBOWS Alba away. Then BOOTS her away! Zelina fires forearms on Alba, backs her down, then whips. Alba reverses but Zelina dodges to LARIAT! The fans fire up as Zelina LARIATS again! Zelina blocks a kick, ELBOWS Alba, but Alba blocks the saido. But Zelina keeps Alba from running, SNAP SAIDO! The fans rally for Zelina as she runs corner to corner, METEORA! Zelina pushes Alba out and goes up top! The fans cheer for some Latina Heat, and METEORA! Cover, TWO! Alba survives and Chelsea is relieved.
Zelina grows frustrated, but she goes back for Alba. Zelina reels Alba in, suplexes, but Alba blocks! Alba knees low, suplexes, but Zelina hits STUN DOG MILLIONAIRE! Alba is down, Zelina goes up, MOONSAULT FLOPS! Alba goes up now, and she SWANTON BOMBS! Cover, TWO!?! Zelina survives and shocks Alba! Chelsea is upset again but Alba hurries to bring Zelina up. Alba KICKS Zelina out, and now Chelsea takes off her face mask?! She tells Piper to stand Zelina up! Piper does as told, and Chelsea takes a swing, but Zelina ducks! The face mask SMACKS Piper!! Chelsea is shocked, then furious, and then she chases after Zelina!
Zelina slips into the ring, Chelsea gets on the apron, but Zelina sends Alba at her! They almost collide, and then Zelina rolls Alba up! Zelina hops on, CODE RED!! Cover, Zelina wins!!
Winner: Zelina Vega, by pinfall
Chelsea tried so hard to screw Zelina over that she just screwed up her own team! Zelina survives again, will no one take down the Vega Administration?
The Miz pep talks Carmelo Hayes.
Melo looks good, and he just has to follow the plan. If Melo follows that plan, with no mistakes, they will win. Melo says he knows what he’s doing. Miz asks if he really does. Because Miz has taken Black Mass after Black Mass, sacrificing himself for Melo. Does Melo understand? Miz gave up this chance at MITB for Melo! Miz has already done it twice! If Melo wins this match tonight, Miz will guide Melo to make sure “we are Mr. MITB.” Wait, we? Miz says, “Who do you think got you in this position?” Melo says Melo did. Melo appreciates everything Miz has done for him, from sacrificing to taking hits for him, and helping him win the Andre the Giant Battle Royal.
But nobody told Miz to do that. Melo will run the play exactly as Miz designed it, but what brought Melo to the dance is Melo’s talent. Melo goes out there and does it better than anybody else. Melo puts up 40 points on a bad day, because he is H1M. And Miz just needs to let Melo be H1M. They good? Miz nods, and Melo says okay, let’s do the thing. They are Melo Don’t Miz and they are Awes-H1M. Miz still nods, but he doesn’t seem genuinely happy. Will Miz let Melo be Melo? Even if that means letting H1M fail?
Giulia speaks.
“Throughout my entire career, even back when I started in Japan, I had one goal… It’s not to be ‘the best.’ Everyone says that. It’s hollow and empty. My goal is to be indisputable. You can love me or hate me, admiration or disgust, it means nothing. But I’m impossible to deny. My opponent doesn’t matter, because I only view them as an opportunity to build my legacy. Evidence you cannot refute. SmackDown, you will see. I will hit harder, move faster, think sharper, and conquer everything, just like I’ve always done. The question isn’t, ‘Who’s going to let me?” It’s, ‘Who’s going to stop me?'” She adds in Japanese, “If you can stop it, stop it.”
Will SmackDown and all of the WWE soon succumb to The Beautiful Madness?
Zelina returns backstage.
She refreshes for a second, but Giulia is there! And Giulia says she sees Zelina, but she also sees that title more. Zelina scoffs and leaves. Could Giulia be aiming for everything once she becomes Ms. Money in the Bank?
Damian Priest is here!
Knoxville cheers as The Archer of Infamy heads to the ring, victorious from Saturday Night’s Main Event and that brutal Steel Cage match. Priest grabs a mic to tell Tennessee, “Ever since I beat Drew on Saturday, it’s like I’m breathing in fresh air. Y’know, there was a time when I lived on the street, if we were beefing with another street, that war could go for years. But in WWE, you have a beef with somebody, you have a match and it’s over. But with Drew and I, we went well over a year, and that’s not normal. But we took that beef into a cage. Now, I can feel it, you can se it on my face, we went to war.
“At the end of this war, at Saturday Night’s Main Event, I gave him a Con-Chair-To, I walked out the door, and I put his ass in the past.” The fans cheer that. Priest says now he knows Drew is somewhere recovering from his scrambled brains, but he knows Drew is watching, so this is for Drew. “I still can’t stand yo ass. But the Drew McIntyre that stepped in that cage wasn’t the guy that hides behind his phone on social media. That was the old Drew, the warrior, and I appreciate that.” The fans applaud, and Priest says he won’t ask what is next for himself, he’ll just tell us all. And it is the same thing he wanted when he came to SmackDown: Championships!
The fans cheer, and Priest says this war with Drew cost him an opportunity at being in MITB. But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have his eyes on a certain champion. Somebody who he has unfinished business with, and a champion he considers the most badass. The fans know that means Fatu, and he knows they know! Priest calls out Jacob Fatu! Priest respects Fatu. Priest knows where Fatu came from, what Fatu had to live through, how it feels to stand in this ring as a champion. Real talk, Priest is proud of Fatu, he congratulates Fatu, that’s real. But what Priest doesn’t respect is the crew that follows him around.
Wait, check that. What Priest doesn’t respect is the crew Fatu follows around. Priest knows at some point, they will get in this ring, handle business, but that’s for them. As for Fatu’s so-called family, if they wanna get involved, they can catch a fresh one, too. Priest won’t make it just a nickname or moniker, he wants this to be fact! Priest is and forever will be EL CAMPEON! The fans cheer that! But will the Archer soon take aim at the Samoan Werewolf? Well, speaking of, Fatu makes his way out here for tonight’s other Triple Threat Qualifier! Fatu nods to Priest, but if Fatu wins his way into the ladder match, will this showdown have to wait a little longer?
Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match Qualifier Triple Threat: Carmelo Hayes VS Andrade VS Jacob Fatu!
SmackDown returns and El Idolo makes his entrance, followed by H1M. The bell rings and Miz distracts Fatu and Melo attacks! Fatu ELBOWS Melo away, Andrade is on Melo with forearms, and then Fatu adds a LARIAT! Fatu looms mover Melo but then turns to stare down Andrade. The fans rally as these two step up. Andrade fires forearms but Fatu SHOVES him to a corner. Fatu runs up, Andrade dodges then whips. Fatu reverses, Andrade goes up and out to then ROCK Fatu! Andrade goes up, up, and CROSSBODIES! Cover, ONE! Melo CLUBS Andrade, TOSSES him out, and then CLUBS away on Fatu!
Miz says that’s the way! Melo HAMMERS and CHOPS, then whips, but Fatu blocks! Fatu whips Melo, Melo springboards, but into an UPPERCUT! The fans fire up and Fatu sees Melo go outside. Fatu builds speed, but Miz trips him up! The fans boo, the ref reprimands, but Fatu drags Miz into the ring! Melo goes to roll Fatu up but Fatu stays up! Fatu YANKS Melo up, scoops, but Melo slips free! Melo SUPERKICKS and Miz DUMPS Fatu out! The fans boo but Melo builds speed, only for Andrade to LARIAT! The fans cheer, and now Miz sees he is in trouble. Fatu snarls, but Andrade DIVES, into a HAYMAKER!
Fatu then SUPERKICKS Miz! Fatu THROWS Miz into barriers! The fans fire up and Fatu grins. Fatu runs in, HIP ATTACK against the barriers! The Samoan Werewolf has dominated three men at once and the fans fire up while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Miz sputters and Fatu leaves him behind to go around the way. Melo is there to kick Fatu, RAM Fatu, but Fatu blocks another whip! Fatu ROCKS Melo and Melo staggers away. Fatu stalks Melo, Melo checks on Miz, but Fatu ROCKS Melo! Andrade goes after Fatu now, but Fatu THROWS Andrade into barriers! The fans cheer as Fatu lets Andrade go to the ring. Fatu brings Melo up, SMACKS him off the desk, then pushes him down. Fatu clears the desk off, but Melo CLUBS Fatu against the desk! Melo storms into the ring, brings Andrade up, but Andrade RAMS Melo into the corner! Andrade RAMS Melo, CHOPS Melo, then stalks Melo.
Andrade whips Melo, Melo reverses and Andrade hits buckles hard! Melo CHOPS Andrade down! Melo brings Andrade up, soaks up some heat, then makes it Latino Heat. But Andrade blocks the suplex to suplex Melo! Andrade hangs Melo out to dry, and Melo flops to the apron. Fatu is back but Andrade fires forearms first! Andrade whips, Fatu reverses, and Fatu BODY CHECKS Andrade! Fatu geeks out and the fans are with him while he stalks Andrade. Fatu drags Andrade up to HEADBUTT him into the corner. Fatu shoves Melo off the apron, then he HEADBUTTS Andrade again. Andrade sputters but Fatu is all fired up.
Fatu CHOPS Andrade, UPPERCUTS, and HEADBUTTS him again! Andrade CHOPS in return! SmackDown returns to single picture and Andrade CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS! Fatu UPPERCUTS and Andrade falls back! Melo stomps Andrade in the corner, then tells Fatu to come on in. Fatu runs up, but Andrade gets away! Hip attack hits buckles! Melo ENZIGIRIS Fatu, Andrade runs to dodge Melo and FLYING FOREARM! The fans fire up as Andrade kips up! Andrade has targets in the corners, and he rallies the fans with “SI! SI! SI!” CIEN KNEES for Fatu! CIEN- NO, Melo tilt-o-whirls and LA MYSTICA! Cover, TWO!
The fans rally, Melo runs to stomp away on Fatu, then he brings Andrade up. Fatu stands to CLOBBER Melo! Andrade SUPERKICKS Fatu! The fans rally, Melo brings Andrade up and springboards, but Andrade stops him at the ropes! SECOND ROPE SPANISH FLY! But Fatu SENTONS Andrade! The fans fire up as Fatu SENTONS Melo! Fatu drags Melo to a drop zone, then goes to the corner! The fans rally for Fatu as he goes up, up, but Andrade YANKS him down! Andrade goes up top, MOONSAULT DOUBLE!! Cover, Melo breaks it! The fans rally while all three are down! “This is Awesome!” as the three stir.
Melo brings Fatu and Andrade around, and he fires forearms on each of them. Andrade fires back on Melo, then Fatu UPPERCUTS! Andrade ROCKS Fatu, but Fatu UPPERCUTS Andrade! The fans rally as the three rise, and Melo springboards! DOUBLE FADE AWAY DDT!! Cover on Andrade, Fatu breaks it! Melo and Fatu stare down, and they run up! Melo dodges to hit the FIRST 48! Andrade adds a POISON-RANA! Melo slips around Andrade to KNEE and suplex, CUTTER! Cover, TWO!! Andrade survives and Melo grows frustrated. The fans rally for Fatu while Melo shakes his hands out. Andrade is on the apron but Melo rises.
Melo brings Andrade up but Andrade trips Melo! They go out to brawl, and Melo SUPERKICKS Andrade down! But Fatu SUPERKICKS Melo! The fans fire up for Fatu as he lines up a shot. Fatu gets the fans even more fired up, then he geeks out! Fatu runs in the full length, but Andrade & Melo move! HIP ATTACK through barriers!! The fans go nuts as Fatu crashes into the timekeeper’s area! Fatu sputters as SmackDown goes back to picture in picture.
Fatu stirs while Andrade and Melo go to the ring. They roll in, Melo grabs at Andrade and vice-versa. Melo fires a forearm, then goes back outside. Andrade goes to the opposite end while Melo looks under the ring. Melo makes Knoxville happy by bringing out a table! But then Melo makes them mad by dropping it! Melo goes after Andrade but Andrade ROCKS him first! Andrade brings out a chair! Andrade aims, but Melo dropkicks the legs out! Andrade crawls, Melo shakes his head, and he grabs the chair now. Melo aims, but Andrade kicks Melo low! Andrade and Melo go into the ring, and Andrade puts Melo in a drop zone.
Andrade goes up the corner, but Melo trips him up! Andrade is stuck up top and Melo hits the SLINGSHOT PLEX! Melo flexes, then decides to step through on the legs! Andrade cradles that, TWO! Melo and Andrade stand, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Both men fall and the fans look for Fatu. SmackDown returns to single picture as the fans rally, Melo and Andrade sit up, and Melo CHOPS! Andrade ROCKS Melo, then rolls away. Melo hurries to clamp onto Andrade with a facelock, but Andrade RAMS him into a corner! Andrade puts Melo up top but Melo fires forearms. Andrade drops back, Melo aims, but Andrade GAMANGIRIS!
The fans still want tables but Andrade climbs up to get Melo. They’re on the very top, but Fatu is back! Fatu makes the SUPER SPANISH FLY part ROCKER LAUNCHER!! The fans are thunderous as Fatu goes up now! SWANTON BOMB onto Melo! Cover, Andrade breaks it!! The fans rally up again and still want tables. Fatu runs at Andrade to SPLASH! Then Fatu runs at Melo, but Melo BOOTS him! Melo runs up, but into a pop-up! Melo fights the Samoan Drop, and Andrade adds the SHADOW ELBOW! But Melo makes it a ghost pin! Andrade adds a stack, TWO!!! Fatu survives the double cover, but here come Solo & JC!
The fans boo as Solo is here to coach Fatu up. Melo and Andrade trade forearms, then Melo dodges to springboard, FLYING LARIAT! Cover, Fatu breaks it! Fatu snarls, drags Melo up, and he HEADBUTTS Melo! Fatu finally notices Solo & JC, but Fatu puts Melo up top. Fatu CHOPS Melo, then he fireman’s carries Andrade. Fatu adds Melo to this, but Melo slips free. SAMOAN DROP for Andrade, and then Fatu goes to the corner. Solo says Fatu’s got this now! BEST MOONSAULT EVER FLOPS and Melo hits NOTHING BUT NET!! Cover, ANDRADE BREAKS IT! Andrade underhooks Melo, THE MESS- NO, Melo RANAS through! Cover, TWO!!
Andrade has a cover, TWO! Melo has a cover, TWO! Andrade has it, TWO! Both men stand, SHADOW ELBOW! FIRST 48!! SHADOW ELBOW AGAIN!! All three men are down and the fans are thunderous! Fatu crawls, Melo rolls to a corner, and Andrade stirs. Fatu rises, he brings Andrade up, IMPALER DDT! Then Fatu has Melo to RAM him into a corner. Fatu runs and HIP ATTACKS Melo! Andrade is up, Fatu hits him with another IMPALER DDT! Fatu puts Andrade in the drop zone, and he hits the BEST MOONSAULT EVER!! Solo says yeah, do that again! The fans boo but Fatu glares at Solo. JC says do what Solo is saying, Fatu!
But wait! Jimmy YANKS JC down, and SUPERKICKS him! The fans fire up, and then Melo RAMS Fatu into Solo! Then FIRST 48! But Andrade rolls Melo into THE MESSAGE!! Cover, ANDRADE WINS!!
Winner: Andrade, by pinfall (advances to Money in the Bank)
Solo just screwed things up for Fatu! Solo does his best to keep the peace between Fatu and JC, but the point is: Andrade is headed to Los Angeles! Will he make this El Idolo in the Bank?
Backstage interview with LA Knight.
Byron Saxton segues from congratulating Andrade for qualifying to welcoming in someone who already has qualified, but The Mega Star says, “My gawd. What is it with punching tickets around here? Everybody talks about punching tickets. WWE Instagram, punched tickets. Commentary, punched tickets. You’re talking about punched tickets. I guess I punched my ticket to MITB, it’s only eight days away. A few other guys who punched tickets, who are they? You got Andrade, you got Penta, you got what’s his name, Seth Rollins. You got Solo Sikoa! They’re all in it! They all punched their tickets!
“And everybody’s gonna be climbing that ladder, trying to get up, put everything on the line that they can. Now, if this was a one-on-one match, I’d go ahead and call my shot, and I’d say I’m gonna run up there, grab the case, and cash it in. But you gotta understand, this is my third year in a row, so I understand what this is. You can call me the vet in this match. Some people say maybe that Seth is the vet in this, but they would be wrong. For three years in a row now, you’re talking about the most robust and the most recent experience, YEAH. And what that means is now it’s anybody’s game. Anybody can come out with it, and I understand that.
“But with or without the case, what you need to understand is that the WWE title, the world title, they’re all in my future. With the way I’ve been running, at this point, they should be in my past, maybe even my present. Why don’tcha go ahead and punch that ticket? While we’re talking about-” Knight stops himself when he spots someone walking in. It’s Aleister Black! And Aleister says that win was supposed to be his. But he tells Knight, “You’re welcome, though.” The Dark Father lets the Mega Star shine, if only for now. Will LA win big in LA when we finally reach MITB?
Fatu and Solo regroup backstage.
Solo wants Fatu to listen. He was just trying to help. Fatu tells Solo to listen. For the last time, Fatu does not need his help! Fatu storms off, JC steps in, but Solo has nothing else to say. Is the Samoan Werewolf going to break away from this dysfunctional “family?”
Cody Rhodes is here!
Knoxville fires up and sings along, “WHOA~ OH~!” Cody gets his pyro, high-fives fans along the ramp and the front row, and even signs autographs. Cody goes to the ring, grabs a mic, and he hears the fans chant his name. Cody fires the fans up more, then hears them sing, “Cody! Cody Rhooodes~! Cody! Cody Rhooodes~!” Cody says, “So, Knoxville! Whaddya wanna talk about?” The fans cheer, and Cody says, “I’d be remiss if I didn’t point out that we could talk about the record crowd here this evening!” The fans cheer that, too! Cody says he loves them, too, thank you very much.
Cody says they could also talk about WrestleMania 41. The fans boo, but Cody says after WrestleMania 41, he went home, he drowned his sorrows, might’ve touched the “Tennessee Cough Syrup” a little bit, and he had a moment of doubt. He reached out to a friend. A friend who helps him prepare to wonderful audiences like this one here, or speaking to everyone at home. Cody asked him, “Was I a good champion?” The fans cheer for that, but Cody says the friend told him wasn’t quite as simple as yes or no.
The friend told him, “With everything that you faced here in the ring in front of all the fans, and with everything that you faced behind the scenes, being pulled in different directions, the waters that you had to navigate that no champion has ever had to navigate, yes, I feel that you were a good champion.” Cody says he felt good hearing that, it turned into a hopeful moment, the silver lining on a dark cloud. Cody looked back on his whole year. He thought about AJ Styles faking retirement to get the drop on him. Cody thought about his friend, Kevin Owens, sucker punching him against his bus while Cody’s family slept inside.
Cody thought about his boss, Triple H, who pushed Cody to the limit, and sees something in Cody that Cody doesn’t even see in himself. Cody even thought about The Final Boss, how he asked Cody for his soul, and the entire world wondering what that meant. As preposterous as that sounded, The Rock was 100% serious. No matter how many times Cody said no, the offer still stands. And Cody also thought about John Cena. The fans initially boo, but the “Let’s Go, Cena!” “CENA SUCKS!” starts up. Cody takes a moment, and then he says, “I thought about John Cena doing exactly what he said he was going to do. He forced me to make a choice, and I hesitated.
“I don’t know if John Cena is going to ‘ruin’ professional wrestling. But if he does, then I’m partially to blame. Now, I know, I’d love to say this to John Cena’s face. Not sure if he’s going to come out here right now, but if you are listening, if you are listening, Champ, I need you to know that I will never hesitate with you again!” The fans cheer that, and Cody says no matter how much Cena will tout the amount of days he has left, how much Cena will talk about what remains before he absconds with the WWE Championship and leaves all of us forever, that is NOT Cena’s expiration date! That is on the other side of Cody’s corneas, and it will burn Cena’s ass up!
The fans fire up for that, and Cody calms it down. Cody apologizes for that. This is his first night back on SmackDown, he is getting worked up. He thought so much about what he could do, what he could do for the fans. Hell, how about a surprise? The fans already “YEET! YEET! YEET!” so Cody says they’re hungry for it. Let’s yeet. Well, hold on, that’d be a very big surprise. That’d be the biggest surprise. That’d be Cody’s partner riding into battle for MITB, and hell YES he is here! Ladies and gentlemen, give it up for the World Heavyweight Champion, MAIN EVENT JEY USO! The fans go wild as Jey makes his way in from the pavilion!
The fans sing along with Day One Ish and bounce for that YEET! Jey makes his way down through the crowd to ringside, one verse at a time, and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Jey joins Cody in the ring now, mic in hand. Cody and Jey hear the fans want an encore, so we get even more YEET! But then John Cena makes his entrance to ruin the fun! The fans sing “JOHN CENA SUUUCKS~!” even though he wears that University of Tennessee orange and white. Cena goes to the ring, towel draped over his head, then grabs a mic before he joins Cody and Jey in the ring. Cena hears the fans boo, and he says, “I’m upset, too. If it isn’t professional wrestling’s biggest wannabes!” Cena tells Cody he is nothing more than a Cena Wannabe, and that Jey is nothing more than a Cena Wannabe.
The fans boo but Cena says they both wanna be Cena so bad, it makes him sick! Cody wants Cena’s fame, Jey wants Cena’s money, but they will get neither because Cody is too desperate and Jey is too lazy! There is only ONE other human being in the WWE who embodies hustle, loyalty and respect, and he’s got the fortune, fame and followers to back that up! Surprise, losers! Cena’s partner is here, too! The fans boo already, because “EY YO~!” Logan Paul IS here! The Maverick swaggers his way out, and Cena gives him a proper introduction. “Oh, you mad? You’re mad because Logan Paul does WWE better than any professional wrestler?”
Cena says Logan doesn’t need to pay his dues, because he is paying Jey’s mortgage! Everybody in this building did NOT come to see Jey! They came to see John Cena and Logan Paul! Logan asks, “What the hell you crying about, Knoxville? Look! I could walk on water, and y’all would still find a way to tell me it’s because I can’t swim! John Cena speaks the language of Logan Paul, and that is the truth! The truth! It is right in front of you! You deny it all you want, but look around, you stupid, stupid, simple Tennessee people! This is a moment in history! All of you get to witness the moment that John Cena stood side-by-side in the ring with Logan Paul.
“And look, all of you will live long, pathetic, miserable lives. But at least you will get to say that you saw that.” The fans tell Logan to STFU, and Cena tells Logan to ignore it. Logan says yeah, yeah, they’re so ungrateful. They don’t know what’s good for them. There is one problem, though. This does seem too perfect. The problem is… Logan should be standing next to THE WWE Champion as THE World Heavyweight Champion! Logan should’ve been the one to leave Saturday Night’s Main Event with that title around his waist. But look at him, Jey. Jey got lucky. Jey got lucky! He knows it, Logan knows, it, the fans know it, CODY knows it!
Jey needed Cody to save him! When Cody interfered with the match cuz these two cheaters can’t do a single thing in this business without it being handed to them! “These two nepo babies were born on third, thinking they hit a triple.” Logan points to himself and says, “Self-made man!” He points to Cena and says, “Self-made man!” Five years ago, nobody every would’ve believed Logan Paul would be a WWE superstar. And they certainly never ever would’ve believed that he’d be teaming with the Greatest Of All Time! But look at Logan now. He’s not just a superstar, he is THE superstar! His time is now! Cena told us that his time is almost up!
Cena is the Last Real Champion, Logan is the inevitable face of the WWE! So Jey, Cody, at MITB, if you want some, come get some. Jey tells Logan they don’t gotta wait! They can handle this right now! UH UH, YEET!! The mics drop, Cena and Logan talk this out, and Logan wants to throw hands while Cena wants to leave. Cody asks what they’re arguing about. They gonna go to the back so Logan can polish Cena’s Peacemaker? Now it’s a fight! The fans fire up as the hands are flying! Logan TOSSES Jey, Cena picks Cody up! Cody slips free, Jey is back to SUPERKICK! Cody hits the DISASTER KICK! Cena bails out, Jey PLANCHAS out onto him!
Logan goes to the apron, slingshot and- NO, Cody dodges the “Snapshot” Lariat and Jey SUPERKICKS Logan! Then Jey sets Logan up for the CODE D!! The fans fire up as Cody picks up the WWE Championship! Will Cody and Jey make it through Logan and Cena to then clear a path for the American Nightmare’s redemption? Or will Cena & Logan ruin wrestling together?
My Thoughts:
A very good SmackDown, but maybe with some wheel-spinning. As fun as Chelsea Green continues to be, can’t we move on from her and Zelina? Or are we about to do that with tonight’s win over Alba and then Giulia confronting her? Ironically, that seems to give away Giulia isn’t winning MITB. Giulia had a good promo video right before but they undercut it by giving us that confrontation. That said, Giulia deserves to be all the champions, but I suppose starting with the Women’s US Championship would be a good route. Very good promo from Bianca and Naomi to not just have Bianca’s homecoming, but to keep the feud between them alive.
The Women’s Triple Threat had a slow start but it turned out to be a very good match. Great win for Naomi, and good promo from her, Tiffany and Alexa to tease potential MITB winners. Great stuff in the tag match to build Worlds Collide just a touch. We only got one moment of Berto being passive aggressive towards Santos, and then Ethan Page screwing the Faces over, but that was still enough for the North American Championship. Of course, it depends on how many fans watch not just Raw and SmackDown but also NXT so that the fans already understand the story. But as someone who does, I do appreciate they’re bringing NXT story onto SmackDown.
Good promo from Priest to give some shoot respect to Drew and Fatu, but Priest wanting after the US title kinda gave away what was happening with the Men’s Triple Threat. It was a great Triple Threat, but of course Solo & JC cost Fatu. That team is just one moment away from breaking up, and it might be at MITB when Solo just expects Fatu to help him win the briefcase and Fatu refuses. And Fatu VS Priest will still be awesome whenever it happens. Good promo from Knight, and a good bit from Aleister with him, which I suppose means that’s the next feud for them. Was kinda hoping for Aleister VS Nakamura but that really depends if Nakamura is sticking with WWE or going home to Japan via Pro-Wrestling NOAH as rumored.
R-Truth relapsing to talking to Lil’ Jimmy is certainly a choice. I kinda wish he’d keep up the “Ron Cena” stuff, or they’d let Jeff Cobb do his own John Cena bit from NJPW, but I guess some things in WWE still won’t change. And closing with a big promo segment was also certainly a choice. Cody still did a good job, and nice surprise to have Jey show up. Not sure they needed to take a commercial break for Jey’s entrance, especially when they were obviously going to let Jey do his YEET encore. And Cena really must be brainwashed to put Logan over as if Logan’s on par with peak Cena. But naturally a brawl happened and the Faces stood tall.
Don’t count this as go-home math yet, they could easily revisit this on Raw and even next week on SmackDown. Even then, I still feel like Jey and Cody should win at MITB to properly set up Cody VS Cena 2 at SummerSlam. Raw on June 9th is still the move for the World Heavyweight Championship, but there’s also Saturday Night’s Main Event in July, who knows if Jey makes it to SummerSlam as champion.
My Score: 8.7/10
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
Coverage
Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 5.29.25
Stuff happens, maybe it doesn’t, Dreamer and Delirious can’t book.
Well Trick Willie is the new TNA champ and this is the first iMPACT since his win…so let’s just hear him talk about it.
"TNA turned into TRICK-NA. Lets talk about it"@_trickwilliams #WWENXT
WATCH #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/GrBQpdX5g5 pic.twitter.com/StU4pmi3oy
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) May 30, 2025
Ratings:
- The Rascalz vs Fir$t Cla$$ vs Laredo vs The System: Rascalz win via Meteora – ***
- Raj Singh vs Mustafa Ali: Ali wins via…No Shit – Squash Garbage
- ASH by Elegance vs Lei Ying Lee: Lei wins via Spinning TKO – ** 3/4
- Mance Warner w/SDL vs Jobber: Mance wins via Hit the Pay Winda – Squash
- Santino Marella & Arianna Grace vs Robert Stone & Victoria Crawford w/Tessa: Team Robbie wins via shenanigans – **
- International Championship: Steve Maclin (c) vs Matt Cardona: Maclin retains via KIA – ***
Results:
The Rascalz vs Fir$t Cla$$ vs Laredo vs The System
Octagon got jumped by The System earlier so Laredo is fighting alone. Another backstage jumping is getting a little dumb.
Laredo and Trey start. Typical Indie start with Simultaneous awful Dropkick spot and bad counters, AJ blind tag runs the smaller guys over, tags out to KC and the Rascalz instantly get the moment. KC is rocked, tags in Laredo and Laredo takes out the System before Lish gets on the apron and grabs Laredo. The referee kicks out Lish and Rehwoldt on commentary points out it’s a No DQ match so that’s dumb.
KC gets tossed at AJ, he catches him, Rascalz Dive and do their taunt as we go to commercial. We come back, Tennessee Whiskey into a KC tag in for the near fall on Laredo. Corner combo, Snapmare into Flip Forward Neck Breaker, KC is on a roll. AJ tags Laredo and starts talking crap to KC, they swerve and go Finger Poke of Doom, but it’s not a legal pin. Suddenly tornado attacks, System and Rascalz go for broke, AJ hits the Senton to break the eventual pin, Laredo counters AJ’s Chokeslam attempt. Trey clears out The System, Wentz sends himself and KC over and out, Laredo with a Corkscrew Moonsault, which looked cool but it’s the pile of morons waiting to get hit spot.
AJ hits the Down Payment on Laredo, but Trey blind tagged AJ. Meteora on AJ, Trey pins Laredo and Rascalz win.
Raj Singh vs Mustafa Ali
Raj looks like shit in the gear he came down in…and he wrestles equivalently. I would rather anyone else comeback…give me Anarquia.
Ali murders Raj, Instant Dropkick, Rolling Neckbreaker, Corkscrew Standing Moonsault, it’s not close. Raj tries to counter things but Ali Bellclap, a little Duck the left, connect the right. Raj even does a terrible looking Punch Combo, he’s in bad shape, a bad looking Ushigoroshi, Raj with a sloppy looking something, 450 ends it.
Fire Raj as quickly as you brought him back. You don’t need a comedically pathetic job guy when the roster is like 4 guys getting pushed and everyone else sucks. Stop being stupid. Ali still hates women too.
This Injury Report is the dumbest segment in the history of wrestling. Stop treating fake shit as “serious business”.
ASH by Elegance vs Lei Ying Lee
ASH mocks karate stuff, Lei throws a few Rising Crane kicks as ASH bails and then things slow down a little. But a Pump Kick, Sliding Kick and Low Dropkick cause ASH to cower and claim her tooth broke. It’s a bait to pull Lei into the turnbuckles and them get in a few stomps. Ash keeps Lei in the corner, Suplexes her ankles into the buckles and then Ash throws a few Booty Shots/Hit Attacks then starts a grounded stretch, Lei Headscissors her down, still sells the hips and ankles, but dodges and fires, combination strikes into the 10 Count Down Strikes. T-bone Suplex, into the pinfall, for only two.
Cheapshot into Running Meteora from ASH for two. Ash goes for the Miz Yes Kicks and Lei No Sells and asks for more. Gorgeous Capture Suplex into Thunder Struck and TKO with flair. My baby has a better finish now! Yay!
Mance Warner w/SDL vs Jobber
Hannifan cursing and being pissed at Trick for not even showing but is more entertaining than a squash match. Not that Mance’s offense is bad, but 2 out of 3 job matches is stupid.
.@milanmiracle and @AriannaGraceWWE make history as the first father/daughter tag team in TNA!
WATCH #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/GrBQpdX5g5 pic.twitter.com/3s8OhtYFPv
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) May 30, 2025
Santino Marella & Arianna Grace vs Robert Stone & Victoria Crawford w/Tessa
Marella tries to tie up with Robbie, but he bails and tags out to Victoria so Arianna comes in and aside from Alicia Fox’s silliness, the tie up was decent with Arianna and Victoria. Tessa interferes and the Referee throws her out. Victoria comes back in and aside from a slight miscommunication with how Arianna does her punches, Alicia Fox is making her look…pretty good. Transition moves, okay brawling and Arianna looks amazing in her outfit.
Rob and Santino distract the referee and Victoria hits a Figure Four into her Northern Lights Suplex, only for 2. Arianna finally Back Body Drop to find the tag, Santino and Rob, Santino does his split dodge into the Standing Headbutt, Arianna Cross Body onto Victoria. Rob pulls out the ref, then shoves the ref into Santino, Santino into the steps and Arianna attack but Alicia and Lish, the fix is in, Arianna eats the pin.
International Championship: Steve Maclin (c) vs Matt Cardona
A few quick brawl moves, Shoulder Tackles, Strikes, Back Breakers, Cardona does get dumped out and eats a SCUD. Maclin bounces Cardona’s face off the apron and hits an Elbow off the apron to keep Cardona reeling, but a dodged tackle sends Maclin into the steps. Cardona tries to Piledriver Maclin on the ramp, but Back Drop counter, into commercial.
Formulaic commercial etiquette of Cardona still in control, throws Maclin into the ropes, Diving Shoulder Tackle lays both dudes out and they get up by 8. Fighting Spirit spot, Cardona hits ropes and gets hit by Maclin twice, Thesz Press, Ground and Pound, Back Elbow and Olympic Slam has Maclin rolling. Splash into Lariat for two. Maclin has been all gas no brakes. Cardona tries to take a few shortcuts that turns into a Straight Jacket Takedown. Cardona to the top, Maclin cuts him off, Superplex spot. 1-2-kick out!
Maclin goes topside for a Jar Headbutt, Cardona hits the ropes so Maclin crashes into the corner, 2 Reboots connect, the third gets caught, counter into Busaiku Knee, Jar Headbutt. In and out, Cardona uses the middle rope for the Low Blow, Killswitch from Cardona but Maclin kicks out. Cardona dodges and shoves Maclin towards the ref, he puts the brakes on, Radio Silence! 1-2-Kick out! Maclin catches a top rope move, Power Bomb, Corner Splash, Tree of Woe, Caught in the Crosshairs, KIA and Maclin retains!
Overall Score: 4.5/10
Boring paint by numbers show, no Trick, System has one move, Robert Stone is a scumbag, too long to introduce new girls, lots of throw away segments and Rosemary sets up YET ANOTHER Monster’s Ball match. These aren’t interesting when there’s one every 3 months. So we can have terrible Monster’s Ball matches quarterly, Barbed Wire Massacre and Clockwork Orange House of Fun…BUT NO LOCKDOWN!?
Go home TNA, you’re drunk.
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
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