Jet VS Scumbag, Relentless VS Violence!

On the same night that Darby Allin defends the AEW World Championship against Brody king, Kevin Knight defends the TNT Championship against MJF! Will the landscape of AEW change all over again?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• AEW TNT Championship: Kevin Knight VS MJF; Knight wins and retains the title.
• The Brawling Birds VS Emily Jaye & Jordan Blade; The Brawling Birds win.
• AEW International Championship: Kazuchika Okada VS Ace Austin; Okada wins and retains the title.
• Adam Copeland & Christian Cage VS Roppongi Vice; Cope & Cage win.
• AEW Women’s World Tag Team Championships: The Divine Dominion VS Hikaru Shida & Kris Statlander; Divine Dominion wins and retains the titles.
• Rush VS Steven Fuerte; Rush wins.
• AEW World Championship: Darby Allin VS Brody King; wins and

PLAY BY PLAY

AEW TNT Championship: Kevin Knight VS MJF!

The Jet called out The Scumbag for sneaking away with a win when they battled for the AEW World Championship, and wants to prove that this title is for truly the best wrestlers! But will Knight be #2Fly2Stop? Or will Maxwell Jacob Friedman look to put more gold on his resumé?

The introductions are made, and MJF makes sure Justin Roberts says, “He doesn’t hail from a white trash state like Virginia…” The belt is raised, and we see who is truly the Face of TNT!

The bell rings and the fans fire up already. The two step up, but MJF kicks low! MJF TOSSES Knight out, then hurries to THROW Knight into the steel steps! Then he whips Knight hard into the railing! Knight writhes, the fans boo, but MJF soaks up heat. MJF talks trash as he reels Knight in, lift shim up, and BARRIER BOMBS him! The fans boo but MJF takes the camera to film while he scuffs Knight. “He’s a nobody!” MJF puts Knight in the ring, tells fans to shut up, and he pushes Knight to a cover, ONE!! Knight toughs it out but MJF clamps on tight. The fans rally as Knight endures and fights around. Knight rises, fires body shots, then runs.

Knight ducks ‘n’ dodges to springboard and CROSSBODY! Knight keeps moving, ducks ‘n’ dodges more, but MJF ELBOWS Knight down! The fans boo but MJF drags Knight up again for a back suplex. Knight lands out, back suplexes, but MJF lands out! Another back suplex, but into the CUTTER! Cover, TWO! MJF argues with the ref but the count was fair. MJF huffs ‘n’ puffs as he storms over to Knight at the apron. The fans taunt him about his hair but MJF just frowns. MJF drags Knight up, but Knight HOTSHOTS MJF away! Knight hurries in, slides under, then hurdles over to SATELLITE DDT! Both men are down but the fans fire up!

The fans rally again as both men rise up. MJF stands first, storms up, but Knight counter punches! Knight fires haymakers, fires body shots, then has MJF on the ropes! The fans fire up as Knight fires off, but the ref backs Knight off! Knight storms back up, whips, but MJF reverses. Knight goes up and over, hurdles again, then DROPKICKS! The fans fire up as both men are back down! But then Knight kips up! Knight is feeling it, and he runs up to UFO SPLASH! Cover, TOW! MJF survives but Knight stays cool. Knight drags MJF around, then climbs the corner. The fans cheer as Knight aims, but MJF hurries out of the ring!

The fans boo but Knight hops down to PLANCHA! Down goes MJF and the fans fire up again! Knight puts MJF back in, but MJF hurries back out! The fans boo again, but Knight builds speed! Knight DIVES and down goes MJF yet again! The fans cheer as Knight gets MJF in the ring, but then MJF bails out another side. The fans boo but Knight shrugs and builds speed again. Knight FLIES and that’s three for three! The fans cheer as Knight stands tall on the desk! Knight then brings MJF back into the ring, but MJF says let’s make it four. MJF goes to the ramp side, but Knight says might as well complete the set!

Knight aims, springboards, and FLYING LARIATS MJF down at the ramp! All four sides belong to Knight and the fans are thunderous! Knight drags MJF up, puts him in the ring a fifth time, and now MJF is stuck in the drop zone. Knight is up top, but then MJF just goes to the far side. Knight runs up, MJF DUMPS Knight out, and then the HEAT- NO, Knight powers out! Knight springboards, MJF gets under, but Knight comes back and sunset flips! MJF flails to stay standing, but Knight brings him down to a cover! TWO and MJF sits on Knight, TWO as Knight sunset flips again! TWO and both men stand! SATELLITE denied into a CUTTER! Cover, TWO!

The fans cheer as both men are down again. Knight crawls away to a corner, MJF runs up, but Knight goes up and over. MJF ELBOWS Knight, goes up top, and calls his shot. But Knight BODY SHOTS first! Knight goes up to get MJF, but MJF resists. Knight CLUBS away on MJF, but MJF SHOVES Knight! Knight backflips, but he hobbles from the landing. MJF wobbles, Knight still goes to the UPPER ROOM! MJF is down but Knight clutches his knee. Knight fights through the pain to go to the apron. The fans rally behind Knight as he climbs again, MOTHERSHIP FLOP as MJF moves! MJF hobbles over to Knight, he grabs the leg!

MJF steps through, but Knight BOOTS him away! MJF hits buckles, Knight runs up, but Knight’s leg buckles! MJF SUPERKICKS Knight, then goes up for the LONG ISLAND SUNSRISE! Cover, TWO!! Knight survives the Sunrise and MJF is beside himself! The fans rally up again while both men are down, and Dynamite goes picture in picture.

Knight and MJF stir, Knight still clutching the bad leg. The ref checks him but Knight says he can still go. Knight goes to the ropes, hobbles around, but MJF runs up to KICK the leg out! Knight flounders but MJF stalks him. MJF KICKS the leg out again! Knight flounders against the ropes before falling down. MJF drags Knight to center, talks trash about the leg, then turns Knight over for the HALF CRAB! Dynamite returns to single picture as the fans rally and Knight endures! Knight powers up, crawls his way forward, but MJF drags him back to center! MJF sits deep, even CLUBS the leg, but Knight manages to turn over and BOOT MJF away!

The fans cheer as Knight hobbles up, but he still can’t run! MJF grins, then goes up the corner again, for the LONG- SUPERKICK! Knight suckers MJF in and hurries up the corner himself! The fans fire up for the MOTHERSHIP SPLASH!! But Knight can’t make the pin from how he landed so hard! Knight crawls his way back to cover, TWO!! MJF survives thanks to that delay, but the fans know, “This is Awesome!” Knight pounds the mat in frustration, then clutches his leg as he crawls over to the ropes. MJF is on the apron, Knight hobbles and runs up, but MJF blocks the kick! DRAGON SCREW in the ropes! MJF is foaming at the mouth!

MJF DDTS the foot again and again and again! MJF blows snot AND spits on Knight! The fans boo but MJF just snarls as he looms over Knight. MJF Alabama Lifts, and he ALABAMA SLAMS Knight down! Kneeling cover, TWO!! MJF covers again, TWO! Another cover, ONE!!! The fans fire up as Knight refuses to stay down! MJF is furious but the fans cheer Knight on! MJF storms outside, grabs the belt, then snarls as he goes back to the ring. The fans boo but the ref reprimands MJF. Th eref takes the belt, but duh! Dynamite Diamond Ring! But Knight LOW BLOWS MJF first!! Knight cradles, KNIGHT WINS!

Winner: Kevin Knight, by pinfall

MJF is absolutely shocked! He got outsmarted! He got beat at his own dirty game! But then MJF CHOP BLOCKS Knight! The sore loser then scares the ref off before he winds up with that diamond ring. But wait! DARBY ALLIN literally drops in from the ceiling! Darby unhooks himself from the harness, then storms into the ring to dragon sleeper MJF! SCORPION DEATH DROP!! Darby makes sure justice is served, and the fans cheer him on as he gets a mic. MJF also gets a mic, and MJF says, “You people suck! Darby, real typical. Two peas in a pod! Two low life cheaters getting along, huh?!”

But joke’s on you! MJF doesn’t care about Knight, this match doesn’t count, he was barely trying! The fans laugh given how MJF’s red, sweaty and gasping for air. But MJF says what he cares about is HIS Triple B, HIS AEW World Championship! The fans boo but MJF says shut up! MJF wants his rematch! Darby paces, but the fans already chant “NO! NO! NO!” Darby also says, “NO! I’m not giving you that rematch until you put something on the line! And if I survive tonight with Brody King, I think I know exactly who deserves a shot next week.” MJF says MJF, but Darby looks to The Jet. The fans cheer but MJF says don’t even think about it!

But Darby indeed says, it will be Kevin Knight! The fans cheer, but then BRODY KING shows up! The King of Death stares The Devil down, then moves past him to join Darby and Knight in the ring. Brody and Darby stare down, then Brody says, “I have some bad news for you, Darby, cuz you’re not gonna survive tonight! And Jet, I got even worse news for you. Next week, you’re not gonna be facing Darby Allin. You’re gonna be facing the NEW AEW World Champion! ROOF!” The fans cheer that, and Brody returns backstage. The main event is gonna be wild, but who carries the title into next Wednesday?

Backstage interview with Adam Copeland & Christian Cage.

Renee Paquette is with The Rated R Superstar and Captain Charisma, and notes that Cage has a fractured arm, how is he feeling? Cage says his arm feels fine, don’t worry about the arm. Then they also have to address FTR upping the ante on their New York Street Fight by making it part I Quit match. Do they accept? Cage says, “We accept!” Cope says that’s a bit quick given Cage’s history with I Quit matches in AEW. Just saying… Cage says if he’s told you once, he’s told you a thousand times, he never said those words! He didn’t! Cage storms off, Cope says he totally did. But neither of them will say it again. Will C&C be more than ready to make the Top Guys give up?

The Brawling Birds VS Emily Jaye & Jordan Blade!

Jamie Hayter may have missed a week, but she’s back to 100% and ready to pick up where she left off. But will she and Alex Windsor be able to bounce back from losing to Thekla back to back? Or will they get caught off guard by Lady Stunner & The Ankle Breaker?

The teams sort out and Jamie steps to Jordan. They circle as the fans rally, then Jamie blocks a kick to ROCK Jordan! Then she BLASTS Emily just because before she BOOTS Jordan! Jamie bumps Jordan off buckles, DOUBLE CHOPS, then tags Alex. Alex DOUBLE CHOPS, then she tags Jamie! Another DOUBLE CHOP, and then tag back to Alex for a DOUBLE CHOP! Jamie tags back in, The Birds wind up, but Emily runs in! The Birds DOUBLE ELBOW Emily before they DOUBLE DOUBLE CHOP Jordan! Jamie then hauls Jordan up to snap suplex! SLIDING LARIAT and then ground ‘n’ pound! Jamie brings Jordan up, Windsor joins in, DOUBLE HEADBUTTS!

Then they set up, The Birds DOUBLE LARIAT SANDWICH! Jordan sputters, right into TWO BIRDS ONE STONE! Cover, The Brawling Birds win!

Winners: The Brawling Birds, by pinfall

Yep, it’s like Jamie wasn’t even out a week! But will they make sure to settle the score with The Triangle of Madness on the road to Double or Nothing?

The Triangle of Madness speaks.

Thekla says everybody says Thekla, why do you always call people “dumb b*tches?” Thekla would love to stop calling people dumb b*tches, but there are just too many dumb b*tches in AEW! Skye Blue adds that what happened on Collision to Persephone was entirely The Birds’ fault. But getting mist in the face was the best thing to ever happen to Skye, so maybe it opens Perse’s eyes, too. So what happened to Jamie & Alex? They’re supposed to be the big bad Brawling Birds, but they just can’t seem to handle a little ol’ Toxic Spider. Thekla’s advice is to stick with the tag team, because when it is 1v1, Thekla is everything, and they are nothing!

The AEW Women’s World Champion continues to be confident in her toxic dominance, but will someone come along and figure out how to wipe this spider out?

AEW International Championship: Kazuchika Okada w/ Don Callis VS Ace Austin w/ Juice Robinson!

While The Rainmaker wants his fight with The Alpha, Konosuke Takeshita, he still has a duty to defend this title. Will Okada prove what a real champion looks like? Or will The Inevitable make him Fold?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who wins this gamble!

The bell rings and Callis admits, Ace has impressive quads. Too bad his hometown of Atlantic City is a dump. The fans tell off Callis even though he’s just on commentary, and the two tie up. Ace and Okada push each other back and forth, but Okada’s height becomes his leverage. Okada has Ace in a corner, but the ref counts. Okada lets off, then fakes the chop. Okada pats Ace on the shoulders, then stomps low! The fans are torn as Okada stomps a mudhole, but he backs off as the ref counts. Okada soaks up heat, then he ROCKS Ace with a forearm. Okada whips, Ace ducks and rolls to drop toehold and ENZIGIRI!

The fans cheer while Ace steps over to cradle, TWO! Ace DROPKICKS Okada down and the fans fire up! Ace KICKS Okada in the back, then CLUBS his arm. The fans rally as Ace lines up a shot and ROCKS Okada. Okada goes to a corner, Ace KICKS and CLUBS him. Ace whips Okada to ropes but Okada reverses, only for ace to fireman’s carry! Ace does squats to then DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! The fans fire up for “The Quad God” as he poses. Ace runs up, Okada dodges, and Okada comes back. Ace slips into the ropes and Okada hits buckles! Ace then slips back inside to FLYING CHUCK! Okada staggers while the fans fire up again!

Okada bails out, Ace takes aim, but Okada avoids the plancha! Ace avoids the leg sweep, and Okada is stunned to see the handstand! Okada applauds, that’s impressive even to him. But then Ace DROPKICKS Okada again, then PLANCHAS! Okada avoids the impact, kicks low, and DDTS to the floor! Ace writhes and Okada grins while the fans applaud. The ref checks Ace while Dynamite goes picture in picture.

Okada “apologizes” to the ref, then drags Ace up. Okada RAMS Ace into the railing! The ref reprimands, Okada rolls into the ring, but only to refresh the count. Okada then RAMS Ace into more railing! Ace drops to his knees, Okada offers a high-five, and a young fan returns it. The fans applaud that, then Okada offers one to Callis. They high-five, cheapening the moment. Okada puts Ace in the ring, Ace checks his head, but Okada brings him up. Okada bumps Ace hard off buckles! Okada slaps Ace around, then stands him up to whip hard into buckles again! Ace falls back, checking his mouth, but his mouthguard did its part to protect his teeth.

Okada stands Ace up but Ace fires a body shot! And a CHOP! Ace then lifts Okada, but Okada fights free to kick and DDT! Okada pushes Ace over to the cover, TWO! Ace is tougher than that but Okada brushes it off. Okada paces, sneaks a middle finger at the fans, then scuffs Ace. Okada kicks Ace around while Dynamite returns to single picture. Ace stands but Okada Alabama Lifts, tucks, and REVERSE NECKBREAKERS! The fans rally as Okada brings Ace up again. Okada scoops to SLAM Ace in the drop zone! Standard formula says Okada goes up, and he aims for the MACHO ELBOW! Direct hit, and Okada winds up… The Rainmaker Middle Finger!

Okada drags Ace up, wristlocks, but Ace fights the ripcord! They run around and tumble out of the ring! The fans rally up as Ace is on the apron. Okada stands, but he blocks Ace’s Penalty Kick! Okada THROWS Ace, Ace handstands again! Ace then handsprings over the sweep! PENALTY KICK! The fans fire up as Okada staggers around the way. Ace builds speed to FOSBURY FLOP! Ace just manages to clear the apron and the fans fire up for that! Ace gets Okada up and into the ring. Ace climbs, springboards, but Okada dodges! But then Ace fireman’s carries! Okada slips free, ROLLING- NO, Ace blocks to KNEE low!

Ace KICKS and RUSSIAN LEG SWEEPS! Then “CLICK CLICK!” BOOM DROP! The fans fire up for Ace as he runs corner to corner, forearm SMASH! Ace pushes Okada out, springboards, and FLYING LEG DROPS! Cover, TWO!! Okada survives and Ace is stunned! Ace takes out his ace card, and runs up for- A BOOT! Ace still reels Okada in, but Okada fights the suplex. Ace wrenches, Okada rolls Ace, TWO! Okada CLUBS Ace down! Okada drags Ace up, whips him to ropes, but Ace avoids the dropkick! Ace then lines up the shot again, THE- NO, Okada pops Ace up, but Ace sunset flips! TWO!! Okada rises, BOOTS, and Ace falls!

Okada lines up a shot, he runs up, but he blocks a boot. Okada flips Ace, Ace lands safe on the apron and ROCKS Okada! Ace steps in again, FLYING- DROPKICK! The anti-air hits hard, then Okada ripcords! RAIN- NO, Okada ducks it to backslide! TWO!! Callis freaks out at how close that was! Ace runs, but into the DROPKICK! Okada snarls, gut wrenches, and TOMBSTONES!! Okada roars because he’s not done! Okada ripcords for THE RAINMAKER!! Cover, Okada wins!

Winner: Kazuchika Okada, by pinfall (still AEW International Champion)

Ace was so close to the jackpot, but Okada isn’t one of the best ever for nothing! Mark Davis congratulates his Don Callis Family brother, while Callis himself SMOTHERS Ace for pushing Okada this far! Juice Robinson scares Callis off, but then wait! Konosuke Takeshita is here! The Alpha stares down Okada, and signals that he’s taking that title. Will Takeshita avenge himself for that Continental Classic controversy? Or will no one dry up the reign?

A country town is in chaos!

They’re all running away from the saloon as someone is putting the hurt on everybody. This man then picks up a wanted poster, the bounty for The Most Wanted, Bandido. And that man… is Swerve Strickland! Prince Nana hands Swerve his lighter, and Swerve burns the bounty. Is The Outlaw about to enter Swerve’s House, and never return?

The Death Riders speak.

While Marina Shafir grapples with Wheeler Yuta, Daniel Garcia says, “This is who we are, and this is how we train. You don’t get to be the best out there until you’re the best in here first.” But then look who walks in! Will Ospreay is here, and Jon Moxley says he has arrived! Did Ospreay get cleared? Nope. Might as well say it now, though: Ospreay is going to Japan, he and the Empire boys have a big title match, and then we’ll see. Moxley says, “Loyalty. You are too good to be true.” Moxley looks to Pac, kinda pokes at him, then says first thing’s first: Moxley needs Ospreay to drop everything.

Everything up here in the mind. The clouds, the vision, the thing that makes you see things up there. Then everything in the heart. The tugs, the pulls. And then everything in the gut, the anger that burns a hole. Drop it all. Excess baggage, they don’t need it. The feelings Ospreay has about Moxley, drop ’em. They don’t need excess baggage. Moxley makes no promises, he is not a miracle worker. But when Moxley makes a commitment to something, he sees it through all the way to the end. All he asks is the same in return. Ospreay nods and says okay. Moxley says beautiful! Ospreay and Pac stare down, but they leave it at that.

Ospreay asks where’s the ring. Moxley says they don’t need a ring. They’re starting from the ground up. The rest is proprietary, so sorry. Moxley pushes the cameraman out of the room, and now the real work begins. Will, or rather, can Ospreay survive the Death Rider dungeon and come out a stronger wrestler on the other side?

FTR is here!

Fairfax boos as the AEW World Tag Team Champions and #BigStoke make their way to ringside, but to sit by commentary so they can watch this next match.

Adam Copeland & Christian Cage VS Roppongi Vice!

While C&C want revenge on FTR so badly, they’re willing to stake their career as a team on it, this is to settle a different score! Will this tag team that reeks of awesomeness bring down Rocky Romero & Trent Beretta? Or will tonight belong to Azucar & #JustTrent?

The teams sort out and Cage starts against Rocky. The fans rally while Cage keeps that bad arm away from Rocky. They tie up, Rocky wrenches the bad arm, then wristlocks. Cage powers Rocky to a corner, the ref counts, but Cage backs off at 4. The fans cheer while Cage talks trash on FTR. Cage and Rocky reset, feel things out, but Rocky kicks low. Rocky wrenches, CLUBS, and CLUBS the bad arm. Rocky CLUBS away on the arm, then wrenches again. Cage KNEES low, then runs, but into a DROPKICK! Rocky slides for the soccer celebration, but Cage snatches him! REVERSE DDT! Cover, TWO!

Cage tags Cope and the fans cheer as they THROW Rocky into the corner again and again and again! Then BOOT LEG SWEEP COMBO! Cover, TWO! Rocky toughs it out, but Cope flips off FTR. Cope whips Rocky but Rocky KICKS back! Tag to Trent but Cope kicks and CLUBS Trent! Cope whips, Trent reverses, then Trent drops down to STANDING METEORA! Trent snarls, covers, TWO! Cope is tougher than that but Trent stalks Cope to a corner. Trent pie faces Cope, CHOPS him, then CHOPS again! Trent whips corner to corner, Cope reverses and Trent tumbles up, down, and into a BOOT! The fans cheer as Cope stands tall.

Cope drags Trent up, but Trent powers free! Cope drop toeholds Trent onto the ropes, tags Cage, and Cage stands on Trent to CHOKE him! The ref counts, Cage steps down, and he slingshots to the outside. Cope SPLASHES Trent before Cage UPPERCUTS him down! Cage then drags Trent out, THROWS him into barriers, and the fans cheer as Cage drags him up again. Cage ROCKS Trent, brings him around, and he SMACKS Rocky along the way! Cage puts Trent against the post, but Cash Wheeler shouts at him. Cage grabs Cash through the ropes, but Trent wrenches the bad arm, to SWING it into the POST!

The fans boo as FTRPG Vice are talking trash on C&C, but even Stokely talks trash from commentary. Wait, who is this standing up in the matching hoodies? It’s THE CONGLOMERATION! The fans cheer as Orange Cassidy, Kyle O’Reilly & Roderick Strong make their presence known, and Stokely senses it. Stoke turns around to see Conglomeration having snacks, and Stoke takes a swing!? Cassidy dodges that easily, and then SMACKS Stoke with the popcorn! FTR is furious, but they end up brawling with Conglomeration! RPG Vice mugs Christian while Conglomeration handles FTR & Stokely, off into the crowd!

The fans fire up as this brawl moves through the aisleway, and Cassidy is giving Stokely a noogie to his bald head! But Trent sets Cage up for Rocky’s FLYING KNEE! RPG Vice still has control while Dynamite goes picture in picture.

Rocky talks a lot more trash on Cage, but Cope scares him off! The ref reprimands everyone, and Cope backs off while Trent stands Cage up. Trent whips Cage hard into railing! Trent then tags Rocky, and Rocky digs his boot into Cage’s bad arm against the railing! Rocky puts Cage in the ring, stomps the bad arm again, then drags Cage around. Tag to Trent, they double wrench to double BODY BLOW! Then they run to JUMP KNEE and LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Cage toughs it out but Trent slaps him around. Trent drags Cage up, snapmares, and he clamps on a top wristlock! Cage endures, Cope coaches him, and the fans rally up.

Cage rises, fires body shots, then runs the ropes, but into a kick! Trent hits an ARMBAR DDT! Cover, TWO! Cage scrambles to ropes but Trent tags Rocky in. Rocky steps on Cage very much like Cage would, then steps off as the ref counts. Rocky argues with the ref and with Cope, letting Trent SMACK Cage in the distraction! Cope seethes but he can’t do anything while Rocky traps Cage’s arm for an ELBOW JAMMER! Rocky then double wristlocks the arm and puts on the pressure. Cage endures, fights back up, and Dynamite returns to single picture. The fans rally again as Cage wrenches out, but Rocky wrenches to headlock, only for Cage to hit a BIG back suplex!

Both men are down and the fans rally harder! Rocky crawls, hot tag to Trent! Trent BLASTS Cope, the fans boo, but Trent tags Rocky back in. Trent puts Cage on the ropes, Rocky DOUBLE STOMPS Cage down for Trent to SLIDING KNEE! Cover, but Cope breaks it! The fans cheer but Rocky keeps Cage from Cope. Cage fires a body shot, but Rocky KICKS the bad arm! And KICKS, and KICKS, then CHOPS! Rocky puts Cage up top, climbs up after him, and goes for the arm. Cage fires body shots, shoves Rocky back, but Rocky returns for a SUPER ARM-DRAG! Then the ARMBAR! Cage endures while the fans rally up again!

Cage fights around, reaches out, ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer while Rocky lets go in frustration. Tag to Trent and he storms up on Cage. Trent ROCKS Cage but Cage fires hands in return! Cage fights off RPG Vice, sneaks under Trent, but Rocky tags in! Rocky whips Cage to a corner, but Cage ELBOWS him away! Cage goes up, but Rocky grabs the arm! But Cage CLAWS Rocky’s face! Cage then TORNADO DDTS Rocky! The fans fire up while both men are down again! Cage and Rocky crawl, hot tags to Trent and Cope! The fans fire up as Cope BACKDROPS Trent! Then FLAPJACKS! Then he whips corner to corner, runs up, but into an ELBOW!

Trent has Cope, TORNADO- NO, Cope denies the DDT, then hits the IMPALER! Cover, but Rocky runs up! Cope moves, the ELBOW DROP hits Trent! The fans cheer, and Cope ROCKS Rocky! And CHOPS Trent! Cope runs, but into a DOUBLE JUMP KNEE! And then another DOUBLE JUMP KNEE! Trent Alabama Lifts Cope while Rocky climbs, but Cage SHOVES Rocky down! And a BOOT into the CODE RED! Cover, but Rocky breaks it! Cage has Rocky but Rocky CLAWS Cage’s face! Rocky runs, but Cage SMACKS him with the brace! Trent CLOBBERS Cage! But Cope SPEAR- NO, Trent leaps over! Roll-up, with feet on the ropes! The ref sees it in time!

The fans cheer as Trent is caught cheating! Trent argues with the ref, then pleads with him. But Cope runs up, only for Trent to BOOT him! Trent runs up, but Cope pops him up, for Cage’s SPEAR! Cover, C&C win!

Winners: Adam Copeland & Christian Cage, by pinfall

They may be less than 100% physically, but they’re still 100% mentally! As for emotionally, Cage grabs a chair and brings it into the ring. Given the role RPG Vice played in Cage’s arm injury, he SNAPS the crossbar of the chair off, and he hands it to Cope! Bent as it is, Cope uses it to GAG Trent! TORONTO SMILE!! Cage grabs a mic and he asks Trent, “Do you know what to say?! Say it!” Trent shouts, but the crossbar is kinda muddying it into “I qwimt!” They take the bar out and Cage asks again. Trent shouts, “I QUIT! I QUIT!” Cope lets Trent go and the fans cheer. Cage says, “I will never say ‘I quit,’ you little b*tch.”

Cope & Christian have their payback on RPG Vice, but now it will be a matter of getting their revenge on FTR. Will Cash & Dax prove they’re truly the best tag team of all time? Or will they have to admit defeat in the worst way possible?

Backstage interview with Chris Jericho.

Renee Paquette is with Y2J and brings up that this is twice now that Ricochet has defeated him with the “Ricosault.” Does Jericho think there is any validity that this Ricosault is an improvement on the Lionsault? Jericho says what he does think is that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. But he’s not really flattered right now, he’s more pissed off. But here’s the thing, Ricochet has obviously been following Jericho’s career very closely. But not close enough because if he was- THE DEMAND ATTACKS! Ricochet, Kaun & Liona beat Jericho down 3v1, then get him up to his knees. Ricochet asks if this is what Jericho wanted. Is this what Jericho thought this would be in his big return to AEW?!

No more jokes, no more games, no more subliminal messages! Ricochet told Jericho to leave or get hurt! Look at him! What do you gotta say?! Is this what you wanted?! Jericho says, “Eat s*it, bald!” Ricochet HAMMERS away on Jericho, then RIPS the shirt away! Then The Gates of Agony THROW Jericho into a road case! Ricochet says that’s what you get! Then Ricochet uses the case to backflip over Jericho, and says, “You’re not even worth it. AHA~!” The Demand leaves Jericho down and out, but will they be the ones to kick him out of AEW?

AEW Women’s World Tag Team Championships: The Divine Dominion VS Hikaru Shida & Kris Statlander!

Megan Bayne & Lena Kross have been a dominant team since Dynasty, and are perhaps the most dominant team of all time! But will they make these former AEW Women’s World Champions #BowDown? Or can #Shidalander truly become the Galaxy’s Greatest Duo?

The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who has true power!

The teams sort out and Shida starts against Lena. The bell rings and Shida DROPKICKS Lena! Then she fires a shot on Megan, but Megan doesn’t move! Shida fires shots on Lena, on Megan, but then Lena KNEES low! Lena bumps Shida off buckles, RAMS into her again and again, but stops as the ref counts. Shida fires more shots on Lena, but Lena THROWS Shida away! The fans applaud, as does Megan, but Shida BOOTS Lena away! Shida runs up, but Lena RUNS her over! Lena soaks up cheers and jeers, then drags Shida up to bump her off buckles. Tag to Megan, Divine Dominion double whip, and they DOUBLE SHOULDER Shida down!

The fans are torn but Megan soaks it all up. Megan drags Shida up, back suplexes, but then counters Shida’s sunset flip into a FALL AWAY SLAM! Not the cleanest throw but an effective one. Megan “kicks rocks” at Shida, then runs up, but Shida slips around! Shida waistlocks, she RAMS Megan into a corner, then runs corner to corner to JUMP KNEE! Shida climbs up and the fans cheer, but Megan stops Shida before she even starts! Shida still throws hands, slips free, and kicks low. Shida runs, but Megan blocks the jump knee! SPINEBUSTER! Shida tumbles out while Megan seethes. Shida is frustrated but she storms back in!

Shida dodges Megan, CLAWS Megan’s face, then she grabs her kendo stick! But Kris grabs it, telling Shida to stop! They argue, but then Kris uses the stick to yank Shida out of the way! Megan POSTS herself instead of hitting Shida! Shida tags Kris, they have Megan in the ropes, and then Shida kicks Kris?! Oh, so she can snap suplex her into Megan! A unique attack, but Kris drags Megan up. Megan RAMS Kris into the Divine Dominion’s corner! Tag to Lena, they double whip Kris, but Kris ducks ‘n’ dodges to DOUBLE RAN- NO! The champs stop Kris to SLAM her down! Then they drag Kris up, bring her in, and DOUBLE SUPLEX! But Kris lands out!

Kris BOOTS Lena, DUMPS Megan, but Lena ROCKS Kris! Lena whips, Kris reverses and ELBOWS Lena, then PELES! Lena staggers, Kris gut wrenches and tucks, but Lena drops down! So Kris makes it a cross-legged cover, TWO! Kris ends up on ropes, Lena blocks the ref’s view, Megan hits a DRIVE-BY DROPKICK! Megan grins as she gets one in, then Lena Electric Chair Lifts Kris! To HOTSHOT her on the ropes! Divine Dominion is indeed dominating as Dynamite goes picture in picture.

Divine Dominion revels in the cheers and jeers, then Lena argues with the ref before she brings Kris up. Lena bumps Kris off buckles, tags Megan, and Megan stomps away in the corner. Megan stops as the ref counts, but that lets Lena CHOKE Kris! Megan drags Kris up, RAMS into her again and again, then CHOPS! Tag to Lena, and Megan BLASTS Shida for good measure! Then a SPLASH and BUTTERFLY PLEX for Kris before Lena adds a SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Kris survives but she’s isolated with Shida down on the floor. Lena stomps Kris down, then stalks her to the ropes. Lena CHOKES Kris, the ref counts, but Lena steps back.

Kris flounders around but Lena drags her up. Kris fires body shots but Lena CLUBS her. Lena snapmares, runs, and SLIDING- NO, Kris turns that into a ghost pin! TWO, and Lena LARIATS Kris down! Lena snarls as she covers, TWO! Lena clamps onto Kris with a chinlock and grinds her down. Shida is back on the corner, and she rallies with the fans for Kris to get up. Kris rises, but Lena THROWS her back down by her hair! Lena “apologizes” to the ref, then covers, TWO! Kris toughs it out but Lena keeps on her. Lena stands Kris up, but Kris JAWBERAKERS! And throat chops! And LEG SWEEPS! Dynamite returns as Kris crawls!

Lena tags Megan, and Megan runs up to BLAST Shida! Then Divine Dominion reel Kris in for a DOUBLE- NO, Kris fights the suplex! Kris fires CHOP after CHOP after CHOP on the champs! The fans fire up as she runs, then DOUBLE RANAS! The Divine Dominion tumbles around, Shida reaches out, but Megan drags Kris back! Kris fights the fisherman, but Megan BOOTS her! Kris rebounds to DISCUS LARIAT! Both women are down again and the fans fire up! Kris crawls, reaches out, but so does Megan. Hot tags to Lena and Shida! The fans fire up as Shida fires off on Lena! Lena ROCKS Shida, but Shida fires another flurry!

Lena ROCKS Shida again, then whips, but Shida reverses, only for Lena to block! Shida fires a flurry, Lena shoves her away, but Shida dodges! Shida goes up, up, and MISSILE DROPKICKS! The fans fire up for Shida and she runs the ropes, but Megan snatches her! Lena BOOTS Shida while the fans boo. Lena whips, Shida dodges to KNEE Megan down! Then she drop toeholds Lena into Megan! And then Shida DOUBLE SLIDING KICKS them down! The fans fire up as Shida hurries to the apron! Shida aims to DOUBLE MISSILE DROPKICK! Divine Dominion is down but Shida rises again! The fans chant “HOLY SHIDA!” as she brings Lena around.

Shida puts Lena in the ring, drags her up, and reels her in, but Lena fights the suplex! Lena suplexes, Shida slips free, but Lean HOOK KICKS! Kris tags in and fires off shots! Lena ducks a kick to ROCK Kris! Lena whips, Kris goes up, but Megan traps her! Lena YANKS Kris down, then tags Megan! Lena forearm SMASHES, then ELBOWS Kris! Lena runs side to side, and so does Megan! BOOT follows BOOT, then Megan GERMAN SUPLEXES! Cover, TWO!! Kris survives and the fans fire up! Megan drags Kris up, ROCKS her, then whips her. Kris reverses, Lena tags in, but Kris goes Matrix to avoid Megan’s flying lariat! Kris kips up, but into Lena’s SUPERKICK!

Shida runs up to ROUNDHOUSE Lena! SHOTGUN BOOT from Megan to Shida! Kris BLUE THUNDER BOMBS Megan! Then she ROUNDHOUSES Lena! The fans fire up as Divine Dominion is stacked on top of each other, and Kris climbs a corner! Kris aims to 450 SPLASH!! Two for one on the impact and Kris hurries to cover Lena, TWO?!? Kris is stunned but Lena is dazed. Kris hauls Lena up, but Shida tags herself in! Kris is upset but she SLAMS Lena down for Shida to METEORA! Then the FALCON ARROW!! Cover, TWO?!? Lena survives again and now Shida is shocked! Shida aims for the KATA- NO, Megan intercepts with a BELLY2BELLY!

But Kris SUPERKICKS Megan! Lena waistlocks Kris, Kris switches, but Lean switches back. Megan returns, BOOT GERMAN SUPLEX COMBO! Then they get Shida up, DIVINE INTERVENTION!! Cover, Divine Dominion wins!

Winners: Divine Dominion, by pinfall (still AEW Women’s World Tag Team Champions)

Granted, Shida went a bit rogue changing things on Kris there, but it’s hard to deny that Megan & Lena have the stats to reign forever and ever! Will no one, no matter who they are or what they’ve done, ever dethrone Divine Dominion?

Programming note for next week!

Wednesday, May 6th, North Charleston, South Carolina is in for a treat! They don’t just get AEW Dynamite, they get AEW Collision as a THREE HOUR COMBO! All live on TBS and HBO Max, make sure you schedule accordingly so you don’t miss a minute of the action!

Backstage interview with The Don Callis Family.

Renee Paquette is now with The Jackal himself, as well as Andrade El Idolo, and speaks to the incredible tear- MJF steps in and says, “No, no, no, Renee, I’m sorry, incredible tear? Here’s what you have done. You have ruined this company! Thanks to you, Darby Allin is on a reign of terror!” Andrade says okay, how you know? W-what? How does MJF know? Because Darby is world champion, that’s how! How you know? Because Don told MJF that Andrade lost his contender’s match! How you know? Because MJF saw it later with his own two eyes! Andrade again asks, “How you know?” Andrade smiles, and MJF says (sarcastically) that Andrade’s real funny.

MJF then shoves Andrade! Callis steps in and has them stop. Andrade is Callis’ money man. MJF is THE money man! Business is business. MJF doesn’t have a belt, there’s no reason for Andrade to fight MJF. And MJF, you need to get that belt back! They’re all better off when MJF is on top! So let’s just focus on business, guys. Okay? Just this once? MJF storms off one way, Andrade the other, and Callis says, “Wild horses, they’re gonna run. What’re you gonna do?” Callis follows Andrade, but will The Real Latino Man accept this truce with The Scumbag?

Rush VS Steven Fuerte!

From wild horses to El Toro Blanco, Rush has certainly been on a stampede since returning from injury. However, he is only getting hungrier and hungrier for gold around his waist. Will that stampede finally lead him to opportunities at Double or Nothing? Or will he have to make due with an appetizer?

The bell rings and Fuerte offers a handshake. Rush DECKS Fuerte instead! Fuerte tumbles out of the ring, Rush goes out after him, and Rush THROWS Fuerte into barriers! The fans fire up as Rush then THROWS Fuerte back into barriers, then stomps away! The ref counts but Rush fires body shots! Rush SMACKS Fuerte off the barriers, then snarls as he drags Fuerte back up. Rush puts Fuerte in the ring, watches him flounder to the corner, and he CHOPS! Fuertes falls, Rush puts him in the corner, then rains down forearms! The ref counts, especially as Rush stomps away! The ref backs Rush down, and Rush just pumps it up!

The fans chant for “RUSH! RUSH! RUSH!” Rush goes corner to corner, “You mess with the bull…! You get the horns!!”” BULL’S HORNS! Cover, Rush wins!

Winner: Rush, by pinfall

Rush made quick work of this one, then he grabs the mic to say cut his music, but in Espanol. Rush continues by saying that he is done with all these dogs! He is Rush, and remember! When you mess with the bull… You get the HORNS! Who else will be trampled under El Toro Blanco as he hunts after gold?

Backstage interview with The Opps.

Renee Paquette is now with Samoa Joe, Katsuyori Shibata, Hook, and newest member, Anthony Bowens. Renee says Joe is back, looked great back in action, but what is the game plan moving forward? Joe says, “Game plan… Maybe a declaration of intent. Well, it is simple. The Opps, we intend to reassert our dominance here in AEW. How do we plan to do that? I’ll tell you. We plan to do it with men like Katsuyori Shibata, fury made flesh, a man who is kind enough to put on a kick pad so he doesn’t cave in your head when he kicks your skull off.

“We’re gonna do that with men like Anthony Bowens, multiple time world tag team champion here in AEW. A man who has been undervalued, underappreciated, and most importantly, underestimated. And you will see the best version of him now in The Opps. Then we come to Hook, a man who intends to become the new King of Television when he captures the TNT Championship this weekend on Collision. But more importantly, our reign to the top, it includes strategic acquisition. And that brings me to you, Will Ospreay. Y’see, Will, I hope and I pray that you’re not suffering from Stockholm Syndrome.

“Because those boys in the Death Riders, they had you in the very same position that they saved you from not too long ago, and you know who came and took you out of that? We did, Will. We had your back. So you have to ask yourself, what kind of relationship do you want? Do you want one of convenience? Or one of confidence? Because The Opps are here, and the choice is yours.” That is quite the offer from the Samoan Submission Specialist. But will Ospreay change sides now that he’s already started down the road with the Death Riders? Or will he help The Opps get back on top?

FTR speaks.

Dynamite returns as #BigStoke informs us he just spoke with Tony Khan. Orange Cassidy, they have an “interesting proposition.” Next week, Dynamite Double Jeopardy! Cassidy goes 1v1 with Dax the Ax, and IF Cassidy wins, he and any member of The Conglomeration can challenge for the AEW World Tag Team Championships! But WHEN Dax wins, FTR gets the shot at the AEW World Trios Championships! And Stoke knows ol’ OC is begging for Stoke to get in the ring so they can be face to face, but guess what? That is not gonna happen. Stoke thinks they have a pretty good third partner, and it is the man who took Darby to his limit.

In steps Tommaso Ciampa! The Psycho Killer says last time he and FTR teamed up, if he remembers correctly, Ciampa shelfed Mark Briscoe indefinitely. This time, they take them trios titles. Ciampa picks the popcorn crumb from Stokely’s beard, and says, “Top Guys out.” Ciampa eats the crumb, then waves goodbye. Will these three truly be a dangerous combination? Or can Freshly Squeezed earn himself and… someone… another title opportunity?

AEW World Championship: Darby Allin VS Brody King!

The Relentless One promised to be a fighting champion, and so far that is mission accomplished. But he also promised that Kevin Knight gets the next shot next week! Will Darby continue to keep his promises? Or will the King of Death throw those plans for a loop?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we add another chapter to this storied and brutal rivalry!

Douki, a living legend, and LUMBERJACKS!

Tiger Mask has one last chance to be IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion again, in a LUMBERJACK MATCH! Will he bring the House of Torture down?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• 8 Man Tag: Shota Umino, Master Wato, YOH & Taisei Nakahara VS Chase Owens, Yujiro Takahashi, SHO & Yoshinobu Kanemaru; win.
• Toru Yano & Tomoaki Honma VS OSKAR & Yuto-Ice; Oskar & Yuto win.
• 8 Man Tag: Yuya Uemura, Taichi, Ryusuke Taguchi & Masatora Yasuda VS TMDK; TMDK wins.
• Six Man Tag: Bishamon & Tatsuya Matsumoto VS Great-O-Khan, Henare & Jakob Austin Young; Khan, Henare & Jakob win.
• Six Man Tag: Boltin Oleg, Aaron Wolf & Mistico VS Ren Narita, Don Fale & Dick Togo; Boltin, Wolf & Mistico win.
• 8 Man Tag: Shingo Takagi, Yota Tsuji, Taiji Ishimori & Robbie X VS Callum Newman, Jake Lee, Francesco Akira & Zane Jay; Callum Newman, Jake Lee, Francesco Akira & Zane Jay win.
• IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship Lumberjack Match: DOUKI VS Tiger Mask; Douki wins and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

8 Man Tag: Shingo Takagi, Yota Tsuji, Taiji Ishimori & Robbie X VS Callum Newman, Jake Lee, Francesco Akira & Zane Jay!

With the Rampaging Dragon going after THE IWGP Heavyweight Championship and Gene Blast defending his IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship for Wrestling Dontaku’s two day event, this is the last chance for momentum! Will the Unbound Company be golden going into Fukuoka? Or will The Prince and his United Empire conquer the day?

Callum taunts Takagi with the title, daring him to take it. Takagi doesn’t fall for the bait so the belt is put aside. The teams sort out, and after Unbound Company does their fist bump, Takagi calls Callum out. Callum steps up, but he does whisper something to Zane. Perhaps the Prince is planning ahead? The bell rings and the fans rally as Takagi and Callum circle. The crowd is split between the two as they feel things out. They knuckle lock, but then Zane CLOBBERS Takagi! Callum BLASTS Unbound Company’s corner, the plan already succeeding. Callum stomps Takagi, ROCKS him, then tags in Zane.

The fans rally as Callum & Zane double whip, but Takgai ducks the double lariat! Takagi waistlocks Zane, Zane switches, but Takagi BOOTS Callum. Takagi ELBOWS Zane, then sends Callum into Zane! Callum kicks Takagi for that, then whips, but Takagi reverses to HIP TOSS! Takagi LARIATS Callum up and out while the fans cheer. Zane grabs Takagi’s hair but Takagi KNEES low. Takagi runs, Zane hurdles and drops, to then DROPKICK! But Takagi rebounds to RUN Zane over! The fans cheer as Takagi is fired up already! “OI! OI! OI!” Takagi stands Zane up, but Zane scrambles away. Zane tags Francesco Akira, so Takagi tags Robbie X.

The fans rally as the two tie up, go around, and Akira cravats. Robbie flips through the snapmare, but Akira RUNS him over! Things speed up, Akira rolls over the dropdown, then RANAS, but Robbie handsprings through! The fans cheer, and Robbie eggs Akira on. Robbie dodges Akira to then ROCK, THROW, and slingshot SENTON! The fans cheer while Robbie covers, TWO! Robbie CHOPS Akira, then tags Taiji. Team Super Extreme double whip Akira to ropes, but Zane helps Akira stop at the ropes. Robbie runs up but Akira DUMPS him out! Akira then dodges Taiji to shove him and CALF KICK! Then The Empire attacks on the outside!

Callum brawls with Takagi as they go to the crowd! Takagi SMACKS Callum off a chair, and makes him take a seat! But then Callum KNEES in return, and SMACKS Takagi off a chair! Akira CHOKES Taiji using a fan’s umbrella, Jake CHOKES Yota using a fan’s rally towel! Akira even opens the umbrella as he digs it into Taiji! The ring count starts but Akira puts Taiji in the ring quickly. Callum POSTS Takagi! Akira clamps onto Taiji with a chinlock and grinds him down. The fans rally as Taiji endures and fights around. Jake swings the rally towel before he brings Yota back to ringside. Jake feeds Yota to Callum’s BOOT!

Taiji fights his way around, but Akira shifts to a dragon sleeper! Taiji still fights and makes the ROPEBREAK! Akira lets go while the fans applaud. Akira bumps Taiji off buckles, tags in Jake, and the Silent Jester digs his boot into Taiji’s neck! Callum argues with the ref but the ref still counts. Jake stops at 4, then he stomps Taiji. The Empire get their boots in there, but Takagi tries to counterattack. That only gets him mugged! Robbie tries to help but he also gets beat down. Callum grabs Milano Collection AT’s phone and threatens to smash Takagi with it! Milano begs he not, and Callum gives the phone back.

Jake drags Taiji up but Taiji fires body shots. Taiji fires haymakers but Jake kicks low! Jake lifts Taiji with both hands! But then Jake drops Taiji to let him sputter on the mat. Cocky cover, TWO! Jake drags Taiji up, KNEES him low, then whips him to ropes. Taiji handsprings and NEURALIZER KICKS! The fans fire up while both men are down! Taiji crawls, reaches out, and hot tags Yota! The fans fire up as Yota dodges Jake, kicks low, and reels him in. But Jake suplexes first! Yota slips free to shove Jake, then GENE TRIGGER! Akira runs up, but into a scoop and BACKBREAKER! Then Yota sends Akira into Callum, LARIAT DDT COMBO!

Zane kicks low, whips, but Yota pops Zane up to THROW him away! The fans cheer as Zane then ROCKS Jake and knocks him off the apron! Yota then builds speed to DIVE! Down goes Jake and the fans fire up again! Yota drags Jake up, puts him in the ring, and slingshots in, mostly showing off. The fans rally as Yota goes corner to corner for the STINGER SPLASH! Yota reels Jake in, but Jake suplexes again! Both men are down as the fans rally up, and Jake wrenches Yota to whip him into a corner. Yota staggers forward, into a BEARHUG! BELLY2BELLY! Cover, TWO! Yota survives but Jake powers up the hand!

Jake waits on Yota, Yota slowly rises, and Jake guzels! But Yota fights the choke slam! Yota runs, but Jake goes to the corner and CLBOBERS Yota! A very evil move from Jake, then he goes for the legs! Yota fights off the Boston Crab, then catches the lariat to the BACKBREAKER! FLATLINER! But Jake dodges the stomp! Jake back suplexes, but Yota lands out! Yota waistlocks, Jake switches, GERMAN SUPLEX! The fans rally as Jake aims, FACE BREAK- SUPERKICK! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! Yota and Jake crawl, Takagi and Callum call each other out from the corners! Hot tags to Callum and Takagi!

The fans fire up as Takagi dodges, Callum blocks, then Callum whips. Takagi reverses, Callum ducks ‘n’ dodges, Takagi bypasses Callum by one, but Callum still BOOTS Takagi! Takagi rebounds to RUN Callum over, then scoop SLAM and SENTON! Cover, TWO! The fans rally as Takagi fires up, but Callum BOOTS Takagi before he can even start the catchphrase! Callum scuffs Takagi, eggs him on, then SPITS on him! Takagi eggs Callum on now so Callum fires more kicks. Callum KNEES Takagi again and again, but Takagi headbutts buckles! The fans fire up with the Dragon, but Callum SOBATS him down!

Callum smirks as Takagi sputters, then Callum pump handles?! MADE IN- NO, Takagi arm-drags free! Takagi then ELBOWS! JABS! YUKON- NO, Callum trips Takagi! Takagi dodge Excalibur to waistlock, but Callum ELBOWS free! Callum runs up, but into another ELBOW! Takagi reels Callum in, TORNADO DDT! Callum almost flips through, but he flops back down! The fans rally now as Takagi and Callum stir, and hot tag to Robbie! Robbie NO HAND HANDSPRINGS Zane & Akira down! Robbie fires off on Callum, then winds up, but Callum KNEES low! Callum whips, Robbie handsprings, dodges, and DROPKICKS!

Robbie handsprings again and the fans fire up! Robbie runs up in the corner but Callum dodges. Callum comes back, blocks a kick, but Robbie reels Callum in for an UPPERCUT! Robbie then goes up and out to springboard back in, MISSILE DROPKICK! High stack cover, TWO! Callum survives but the fans rally behind Robbie. Robbie drags Callum up, Taiji joins in, and they double whip. Callum grabs ropes, then ELBOWS Robbie! Taiji dodges, tilt-o-whirls, but Callum stops the DDT! Callum suplexes, but into STUN-DOG MILLIONAIRE! DREAMCAST KICK from Robbie! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up again as Robbie builds energy.

Robbie runs, handsprings, but Callum stops the cutter! Feed to Zane’s DROPKICK! Taiji kicks Zane, whips him to a corner, then runs up, but is put on the apron. Taiji RAMS Zane, springboards in, SEATED SENTON! Akira victory rolls for STOMP 182! Yota RUNS Akira over, Jake KNEES Yota down! Takagi gets Jake’s leg for a DRAGON SCREW! Takagi winds up and runs up on Callum. Callum BOOTS, ENZIGIRIS, then SUPER- NO, Takagi ducks it! Callum ROCKS Takagi with an elbow! Callum runs, but Takagi follows to LARIAT at the ropes! Takagi keeps going, PUMPING BOMBER collides with KISS THE CROWN! The fans fire up as Takagi stays on his feet!

Takagi brings Callum up for boxing elbows! Takagi then winds up, but Callum ROCKS, ROLLING ELBOWS, and- JAB! YUKON LARIAT! The fans fire up as Robbie then STANDING SHOOTING STARS! Cover, TWO! Robbie goes up, up, and X EX- NO, Callum dodges! But Robbie TIGER WALL KICKS! Matrix PELE! The fans fire up for Robbie as he handsprings, but the ref is used as a shield! KISS THE CROWN!! Callum then pump handles for MADE IN JAPAN!!! Cover, Empire wins!

Winners: Callum Newman, Jake Lee, Francesco Akira & Zane Jay, by pinfall

Message sent that anything Takagi can do, Callum can do, too! Callum then keeps mocking Takagi by sitting with the belt cross-legged, hands in prayer, then even gets in Takagi’s face with it. Takagi KNEES Callum then fires off forearms! Takagi hooks Callum up, but Callum wrenches out to HEEL KICK and springboard! OCSCUTTER 2.0!! Callum not only wins the match but he takes Takagi down! Will this be the same on May 4th for Wrestling Dontaku? Or will The Prince fail to slay the Rampaging Dragon when it is 1v1?

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship Lumberjack Match: DOUKI VS Tiger Mask!

Japones Del Mal has been cheating and cheating and cheating and cheating ever since he got this title, and everyone’s head enough of it! But can the living legend of Junior Heavyweight wrestling serve justice one last time? Or will gambling against the House of Torture come back to bite him?

Representing Hontai as lumberjacks, we have Shota Umino, Toru Yano, Master Wato, Boltin Oleg, Aaron Wolf, and even special guest, Mistico. Considering Douki has everyone in the House of Torture ringside, it’s actually considerate that Sho joins commentary for the time being. He’s probably doing it just to annoy Yoh, who has been on commentary most of the night. President Hiroshi Tanahashi is here for the formal introductions, and to raise the belt. Win, lose or draw, we witness a historic chapter in a storied career!

The bell rings and naturally, all the fans cheer “TA-I-GA! TA-I-GA!” Douki brushes that off as he circles with Tiger, but then backs away to the ropes. The fans boo and Tiger protests, but Douki steps back inside. Douki and Tiger circle, feel things out, and Tiger SLAPS Douki! Douki runs up and goes for the mask! Red Shoes reprimands but the two go around the ropes. Douki CHOKES Tiger, stops as Red Shoes reprimands, then kicks low. Douki whips, Tiger reverses, but Douki slides out. Douki taunts Tiger, but forgets he’s on the Hontai side of the ring! Shota & Yano throw Douki back in! Douki shouts at them but Tiger waistlocks!

Douki SLAMS Tiger, flips him over, but Tiger kips up to arm-drag! Douki tumbles out and he spots Hontai creeping up already! Douki gets to the apron and tells them to back off! Tiger storms up and has a SLEEPER on the ropes! Tiger drags Douki into the ring like that, then sits him down. The fans cheer Tiger as he wraps the body scissors on, but Douki scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! Red Shoes counts but Tiger lets go quickly. Tiger stomps Douki around, KICKS him at the ropes, then ROCKS him with a right hand. Tiger DECKS Douki, stalks him along the ropes, then ROCKS him again. Douki CLAWS Tiger’s eyes!

The fans boo and Red Shoes reprimands, but Douki runs, into a SOBAT! Douki bails out to the House’s side, and they shield him from the Hontai lumberjacks. Sho and Yoh even argue on commentary, but Yoshinobu Kanemaru drags Tiger out of the ring, right behind Red Shoes’ back! The fans boo as Kanemaru stomps away on Tiger, but Douki keeps Red Shoes distracted until Kanemaru puts Tiger back in. Douki drags Tiger up, TOSSES him back out, and then distracts Red Shoes so that the House can beat Tiger up! The blue buckle pad is even removed! Hontai rushes The House, they all brawl, and Tiger is saved.

Tiger drags himself up, but Douki drags him back into the ring. Douki whips Tiger into the bare buckles! Tiger slumps down in the corner, but Douki snapmares him. Douki vows to take the mask! The fans boo, Red Shoes reprimands, so Douki stops. Douki argues with Red Shoes, then drags Tiger up. Douki hoists Tiger to the top rope, then climbs up, to go after the mask! The fans boo again and Red Shoes reprimands, but Douki has loosened the strings! Red Shoes counts, Douki stops at 4, and Douki brings Tiger down from the corner. Tiger fires body shots and knees, but Douki knees low! Douki TOSSES Tiger back out!

The House swarms Tiger, and Ren JAMS Tiger with a chair! Kanemaru puts Tiger in, Douki covers, TWO! Tiger survives and the fans cheer, but Douki drags Tiger into a CAMEL CLUTCH! The fans rally as Tiger endures. Douki fishhooks Tiger but stops as Red Shoes reprimands. Tiger powers up as the fans cheer him on, and he pries an arm free! Tiger pushes his way around to the ROPEBREAK! Douki holds until Red Shoes counts 4, then takes his time bringing Tiger around. Douki slaps Tiger but Tiger fires body shots! Douki HELL STABS! Tiger goes to ropes. Douki runs up, but Tiger DUMPS him onto the House!

The fans cheer as Tiger gets some payback, and he builds speed to DIVE! Down goes The House again! The fans fire up as Tiger slowly rises back up. Tiger rolls inside, but where is Douki? He tries to run away, but Oleg & Wolf carry him back from the ramp! They throw him inside for Tiger to rain down fists! The fans cheer the ground ‘n’ pound, then the ARMBAR! Douki scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! Tiger lets go, then SLAPS Douki! And SLAPS, SLAPS, SLAPS! Tiger whips, scoops, and BACKBREAKERS! Cover, TWO! Douki toughs it out but Tiger waits for him to sit up. Tiger then KICKS, and KICKS, but Douki blocks one!

Douki CLUBS the leg, but then Tiger catches his lariat, only for Douki to wrench through! Douki SHOVES Tiger into Red Shoes! Down goes Red Shoes, and Douki KNEES Tiger against the ropes! The House rushes the ring, and they BLAST Hontai before they can do anything! The fans boo but Dick Togo ELBOWS Tiger, followed by ELBOW, LARIAT, LARIAT, ELBOW, and Don Fale’s SPLASH! Don shoves Tiger down, Dick goes up, and they set Tiger up for the DICK CHOP! The fans boo but The House gets away with the whole bag of tricks! Cover, TWO!! Tiger survives and the fans cheer! Douki is annoyed, but he drags Tiger to the drop zone.

Douki goes to the corner and climbs up. But Tiger trips Douki up! Tiger then SMACKS Douki, climbs up, and goes to the very top! The fans cheer as Tiger underhooks, SUPER BUTTERFLY SUPLEX! The fans fire up while Douki writhes and flounders! Tiger catches his breath while the fans rally up again. Hontai coaches Tiger, the House coaches Douki, and both men go to corners. Tiger rises first, and he runs up on Douki, but Douku uses Red Shoes as a shield! The ROUNDHOUSE hits Red Shoes! Then Ren Narita gets in and beats up on Tiger! Oleg & Wolf rush in, they scrap with Ren and Fale, but Ren CLAWS Oleg’s eyes while Fale BODY BLOWS Wolf!

Fale & Ren whip the big men at each other, but Oleg & Wolf reverse! Fale RUNS Ren over, and then Wolf & Oleg DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE Fale down! The rest of the House rushes in, but so does the rest of Hontai! This time, Hontai clears The House, and the fans fire up as Msitico lines up a shot! SUPER CROSSBODY and down goes The House! But Red Shoes is in no shape, Young Lions carry him away. Tiger goes after Douki with the ROUNDHOUSE, then underhooks! TIGER DRIVER!! But no ref to count!! Marty hurries in, counts, TWO!! Douki survives because of the delay! The fans rally for Tiger as he rises up again.

Tiger drags Douki up and clamps on the chicken wing. CROSSFACE CHICKEN WING! But Dick SHOVES Wato into the ring to distract Marty! And that lets Yujiro PIMP CANE Tiger in the head!! Douki is saved again, and he drags Tiger into the ITALIAN STRETCH #32!! Tiger endures while the fans rally up, and Tiger fights his way over! ROPEBREAK!! The fans cheer as Tiger survives again! Marty counts and Douki lets go in frustration. The fans rally as hard as they can for “TA-I-GA! TA-I-GA!” Douki goes to the apron, lines up the shot, and slingshots, only for Tiger to dodge! Crucifix takedown, TWO! DISARMER!!

Douki endures as Tiger pulls on the mounted armbar! Douki kicks and flails, but Tiger shifts things around to the CHICKEN WING CROSSFACE!! Douki endures again, but The House gest on the apron! Hontai trips them all up, and Tanahashi says enough is enough! Take them away! Hontai drags The House from ringside under President’s orders! But Sho CLOBBERS Yoh on commentary! The lumberjack in the hole distracts the ref, right as Douki taps!! Tiger would’ve won! Tiger SMACKS Sho down! But Douki LOW- NO!! Tiger blocks the low blow to gut wrench and TOMBSTONE!!! Tiger isn’t done there, though!

Tiger chicken wings Douki, but Sho YANKS the ref out! TIGER SUPLEX!! Bridging cover, and SHO counts the pin, just to taunt Tiger with a blatant TWO! Tiger is furious but Sho kicks and CLUBS away on Tiger! The fans boo, but Sho reels Tiger in! Sho tucks the arms, but Yoh SUPERKICKS Sho! Sho tumbles out but Yoh PLANCHAS him down! And Yoh gets Marty back in the ring! The fans are thunderous as Tiger drags Douki back up, to BUZZSAW! Douki sputters but Tiger sits him up for another BUZZSAW! Tiger vows this is it, and he brings Douki back up. Chicken wings and- DOUKI BOOTS MARTY! LOW BLOW!!

Douki drags Tiger down for ITALIAN STRETCH #32!! Tiger endures but Douki puts on a lot of pressure! The fans rally even harder as Tiger rises again! Tiger fights his way over to the ROPEBREAK!! Douki is furious, but he still lets go at 4! Douki argues with the ref, but all to distract as Sho SMACKS Tiger with the “Black Mirror!” LOW BLOW on Yoh, then a SMACK with the mirror!! The fans boo as Murder Machine continues to tip the scales! ITALIAN STRETCH #32!!! Tiger endures, but he is OUT! DOUKI WINS!!

Winner: Douki, by submission (still IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion)

Tiger Mask let Douki have all his House members ringside, and that ultimately cost him! Tiger will never again be Junior Heavyweight Champion, will this loss be a stain on his legendary legacy?

As for Douki, he found another way to survive by the skin of his teeth. And once again, Tanahashi has to reluctantly hand this title over to the winner, despite all the injustice he witnessed with his own eyes. Douki gloats as he wears the belt, then takes the mic to say, “Tiger Mask… This is the power of GOD!” Douki laughs but the fans boo. “Hey, you guys are so annoying with this booing!” The fans only boo more, but Douki says from Desperado to Wato to Yoh, and now Tiger Mask, Douki’s had one hell of a year as champion! There’s not a single Junior Heavyweight who can beat him! The fans boo, knowing those were never truly 1v1.

Douki continues by saying he’s already shown that he is THE strongest Junior Heavyweight wrestler, so why should he, of all people, need to participate in Best of the Super Juniors to prove that he IS the best? Yes, that’s right! He doesn’t know who entered him without his permission, but Douki is NOT competing in BOSJ! Seriously? Douki says they can all decide who will be his next challenger. And do you know why? Not that you idiots would understand! But it’s because Douki is the GOD OF JUNIOR HEAVYWEIGHT WRESTLING! Douki drops the mic as he apparently drops out of the tournament. But will he regret not having a hand in his own fate?

My Thoughts:

A great Hizen no Kuni as part of the overall Road to Dontaku series. Apparently, they won’t be broadcasting the last two dates so no Road to Dontaku at all for my coverage this year. But even so, great stuff going into that Wrestling Dontaku two day event. With United Empire winning their Six Man Tag over Bishamon, feels like Khan & Henare should get their chance at the tag titles next, but I guess we’ll see. Great 8 Man Tag of Unbound Company VS United Empire. Sadly, with Gabe Kidd out, he can’t finish his feud with Yota Tsuji. Seems Andrade El Idolo gets a second chance from his loss at New Beginnings USA. I don’t think Yota is losing, though, he was likely meant to win against Gabe anyway so that NJPW could have something over AEW.

As for Callum, he stands tall both by taking the win and knocking Takagi down, and go-home math would say the challenger wins now. But I can’t recall how often NJPW follows such a formula, so maybe Callum still wins out at Dontaku. To be fair, Takagi felt like he was being put forward as a solid first defense for Callum’s reign as it was, so this was perhaps always meant to be. Plus, the G1 Climax is a little earlier this year, being more late Spring since it starts in May, and that’ll do a lot towards determining the challenger for perhaps Dominion or beyond.

Douki VS Tiger Mask was great, especially for a lumberjack match. Those automatically call for overbooking and shenanigans, so of course the House helped Douki survive. Douki saying he’s NOT in the BOSJ is rather surprising, but I suppose it works in character that he sees himself above all of that. At the very least, there’s no “golden tickets” owed if someone gets a win off him, which they might not anyway since House of Torture would just cheat every round. In fact, it cuts down on how much the House is gonna cheat since it’ll just be Sho and Kanemaru. That said, the door is wide open to who can win BOSJ now, for quite a lot of intrigue going into the next title match.

My Score: 8.8/10