Coverage

Mitchell’s NJPW G1 Climax 32 Results & Report! (7/30/22)

Will the Ace #JustTapOut?

Published

2 years ago

July 30, 2022

Steven Mitchell

Don’t count the Once in a Century Talent out yet!

NJPW’s biggest G1 Climax yet pits two of their biggest names against each other, as once again Hiroshi Tanahashi faces Zack Sabre Jr!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

SHO & Yujiro Takahashi VS Kosei Fujita & Ryohei Oiwa; Sho & Yujiro win.
Tama Tonga & Jado VS El Phantasmo & KENTA; ELP & Kenwin.
Six Man Tag: Suzuki-Gun VS The United Empire; The United Empire wins.
Tetsuya Naito & BUSHI VS EVIL & Dick Togo; Naito & Bushi win.
10 Man Tag: Chaos VS Bullet Club; Chaos wins.
G1 Climax, D Block: David Finlay VS Shingo Takagi; Finlay wins.
G1 Climax, A Block: Tom Lawlor VS JONAH; Jonah wins.
G1 Climax, B Block: SANADA VS Great-O-Khan; Sanada wins.
G1 Climax, C Block: Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Zack Sabre Jr; Tanahashi wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

G1 Climax, D Block: David Finlay VS Shingo Takagi!

The Rebel shocked many, but especially Juice Robinson, just last Tuesday. And since Juice slayed The Dragon, that should put Finlay over him. Will Takagi change all that with one good Pumping Bomber? Or will Finlay continue this momentum and go 2-1 in the block?

The bell rings and fans rally as the two stare down. They circle, feel out the grapple, and tie up collar ‘n’ elbow. Finlay waistlocks, Takagi switches but Finlay hammerlocks. Takagi headlocks, but Finlay powers up to turn things around. Takagi endures the headlock and powers out. Finlay RAMS Takagi but Takagi rebounds to RUN Finlay over! Takagi brushes himself off, runs the ropes, and he catches Finlay’s jump to a fireman’s carry! Finlay fights free, rolls Takagi up, ONE! Finlay arm-drags Takagi down to an armlock! Takagi fights up, Finlay wrenches, but Takagi powers him to ropes. The ref counts but Takagi whips Finlay away.

Finlay comes back but Takagi elbows him! Takagi runs but Finlay DROPKICKS him down! Fans fire up and Takagi bails out. Finlay slingshots but Takagi moves out of the way. Finlay lands on the apron but Takagi trips him up! Finlay smacks off the apron then Takagi kicks low to DDT to the floor! Fans fire up and Takagi drags Finlay up to POST him! Finlay holds his arm but Takagi bumps him off the apron. Takagi grabs the IWGP US Championship belt and taunts Finlay with it. Finlay kicks Takagi but Takagi kicks back. Takagi digs Finlay’s face into the belt! The ref reprimands but Takagi puts Finlay in, for a slingshot STOMP!

Takagi says that’s not all! ROPE GUILLOTINE! Finlay sputters and fans fire up again. Takagi pushes Finlay to a cover, ONE! Takagi clamps on a chinbar and wrenches Finlay’s neck. Finlay endures, so Takagi brings him up and around to cravat. Finlay endures this neck wrench and throws body shots. Takagi CLUBS Finlay on the neck, and has him in a corner. Takagi whips Finlay to ropes, KNEES him against the ropes then DDTs! Fans fire up as Takagi sits Finlay up. Fans rally as Finlay resists but Takagi keeps driving in elbows! Takagi drags Finlay up, reels him in for a facelock, but Finlay throws body shots.

Finlay throws forearms, but Takagi HEADBUTTS him down! Fans fire up as Takagi stands Finlay up. Takagi goes to lift but Finlay fights it! Finlay powers up to back drop Takagi! But Takagi’s right back up to CLUB and KNEE Finlay! Takagi whips Finlay but Finlay comes back with a FLYING UPPERCUT! Fans cheer as Finlay knocks Takagi down. Finlay gets to a corner, Takagi gets up, and Finlay runs in to rally with big forearm smashes! Finlay whips, Takagi reverses but Finlay holds ropes top stop himself. Finlay kicks Takagi, but Takagi rushes in! Finlay dumps Takagi out, then takes aim to PLANCHA! Direct hit and down goes Takagi!

Fans fire up and Finlay encourages them to get louder. Finlay drags Takagi up and into the ring, then fires the fans up from the apron. Finlay springboards to CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Finlay gets Takagi up but Takagi throws down elbows. Finlay whips but Takagi reverses again, only to swing into Finlay’s BACKBREAKER, and BLUE THUNDER BOMB! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up while Finlay catches his breath. Finlay drags Takagi back up, but Takagi fights the clinch. Takagi throws Finlay away to ELBOW, JAB and YUKON LARIAT! Fans fire up again and Takagi encourages them to keep going. Takagi kicks Finlay around and brings him up.

Takagi scoops Finlay to SLAM him, then goes up for the FALLING ELBOW! Takagi drags Finlay right up to POWERBOMB! High stack, TWO, but into an STF! Step-over Takagi Facelock? Either way, fans rally as Finlay endures! Finlay crawls and drags Takagi along but Takagi pulls way back on the hold! Finlay still fights forward and gets the ROPEBREAK! Takagi lets off, fans rally up, and Takagi stalks Finlay to ropes. Takagi CLUBS Finlay, drags him up to CLUB away, but Finlay fights the pump handle. Takagi throws knees, then pump handles. But Finlay slips out to IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER!

Fans fire up while both men are down! Finlay grits his teeth and nods as he watches Takagi get to a corner. Finlay runs in to UPPERCUT! Finlay hoists Takagi up top, throws forearms and climbs up after Takagi. SUPERPLEX! Cover, TWO! Fans fire up again while Finlay grows frustrated. Finlay fires up and he cravats Takagi. Takagi fights that off to back suplex but Finlay fights that with elbows. Finlay uppercuts, cravats, ACID- NO, Takagi tosses Finlay, then SLIDING FOREARMS the back! Fans rally, Takagi runs, but Finlay ducks the lariat to ghost pin! TWO, Takagi catches Finlay to a half nelson, but Finlay rolls through to a pin! TWO!!

Finlay hurries up and LARIATS Takagi down! Fans fire up while both men are down again. Fans rally as Takagi and Finlay stir. Finlay sits up first, drags Takagi up to a cravat, but Takagi throws body shots. Takagi shoves Finlay away, blocks his boot, then CLUBS Finlay into the corner. But Finlay uses the corner for PRIMA NOCTA! And then ACID DROP!! Cover, TWO!! Takagi survives and Finlay can’t believe it! Finlay throws off his armbands and he glares at the camera. Finlay is determined so he gets back up. Finlay slashes his throat, drags Takagi up, but Takagi blocks the suplex. Takagi CLUBS Finlay, fans rally up and Takagi wrenches, but Finlay ROCKS him!

Finlay suplexes but Takagi knees free! Takagi suplexes, Finlay fights it, but Takagi snap suplexes through! Both men are down and the fans keep rallying. Finlay flounders to a corner, Takagi pounds the mat to fire up. Finlay stands, Takagi runs in but blocks a boot. Finlay BOOTS with the other leg, uses the corner to springboard again, but Takagi catches him! Gory Especial to NOSHIGAMI! Takagi gets up and runs, PUMPING BOMBER! Cover, TWO!! But Takagi drags Finlay right up to the pump handle! MADE IN JAPAN!! Cover, TWO!?! Finlay survives and shocks Takagi! Fans are thunderous as Finlay stirs.

Takagi shouts, “OI! OI! OI!” Fans clap along, and Takagi stands Finlay up for boxing elbows! Takagi throws about 10 but Finlay ROCKS Takagi back with one! Takagi JABS, HEADBUTTS, and then SLIDING BOMBERS! Finlay is down but Takagi grabs at him. The ref has Takagi hold on, he needs to check on Finlay. Takagi doesn’t care, he hauls Finlay up anyway! But Finlay leaps, PRIMA- NO! Takagi blocks the stunner and dragon sleepers! But Finlay gets to the ropes! Takagi swings but Finlay avoids his Takagi GTR! Finlay steps in, PRIMA NOCTA! And a victory roll, FINLAY WINS!!

Winner: David Finlay, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Takagi earns 0)

Another shocker from Finlay! Finlay already claims ownership of the IWGP US Championship, will this win lead Finlay to take the KOPW 2022 trophy from Takagi? Or can Takagi still make this the year of the Dragon?

G1 Climax, A Block: Tom Lawlor w/ Royce Isaacs VS JONAH w/ Bad Dude Tito!

Lance Archer gave Lawlor a Blackout while Toru Yano gave Jonah the slip, and both of these men are 0-1! But will things get Filthy as Lawlor gets his first win? Or will Jonah prove The Mighty Don’t Kneel when he crushes Lawlor?

The bell rings and fans rally for “TOM! LAWLOR!” Off come the denim shorts to reveal the tights. Lawlor throws the shorts at Jonah then dropkicks him! Jonah stays up so Lawlor keeps his distance. Lawlor throws testing kicks but ends up cornered. Lawlor manages to slip away and fans rally up. Lawlor winds up but Jonah still blocks the kick! And then CLOBBERS Lawlor! Fans fire up while Jonah waits on Lawlor. Lawlor sits up, Jonah rushes in, but Lawlor throws Jonah out! Lawlor goes out the other side and fans rally as he builds up speed around the way. PENALTY KICK! Lawlor gets fans rallying and he drags Jonah up.

Lawlor kicks Jonah, fans clap for “TOM! LAWLOR!” and Lawlor builds speed again. Lawlor makes a full lap, but Jonah POUNCES him into the ring! Jonah then drags Lawlor from the apron to trophy lift, and drop onto the railing! Fans fire up while Lawlor crashes and burns! The ref checks on Lawlor while Jonah returns to the ring. The ring count starts and fans rally up. Lawlor stirs at 7 of 20, stands at 11 of 20, and Bad Dude Tito keeps Royce Isaacs back. Lawlor flounders over the railing at 15 and hurries in at 17! But Jonah is there to stomp away! Jonah stands on Lawlor at the ropes! The ref counts and Jonah steps off at 4.

Jonah drags Lawlor up to DECK him with a forearm! Fans rally, Jonah drags Lawlor up and HEADBUTTS him down. Jonah drags Lawlor up again to wrap on a rear bearhug! Lawlor endures, fans still rally, and Lawlor fights up. Lawlor throws back elbows and then stomps a foot! Jonah lets him go, Lawlor runs, but into a BIG back elbow! Lawlor flounders but Jonah stalks him. Jonah kicks Lawlor around, then stands on his neck! The ref counts and Jonah steps off again. Jonah stands Lawlor up to bump off buckles, then he whips Lawlor corner to corner hard! Jonah smiles as Lawlor bounces off buckles and falls back.

Jonah drags Lawlor up but Lawlor throws body shots. Lawlor throws a kick but Jonah CLOBBERS him! Jonah drags Lawlor back up, scoops him and SLAMS him! Jonah runs and SENTONS but flops as Lawlor moves! Jonah goes to the apron but Lawlor hurries after him. Lawlor gets Jonah in the ropes with a cravat and throws knee after knee! The ref counts, Lawlor hits one last KNEE before he lets off. Jonah wobbles, Lawlor runs side to side to forearm smash after forearm smash! But Jonah CLOBBERS Lawlor right back! Jonah gets in the ring, drags Lawlor up, and whips him to ropes. But Lawlor ducks under the body press to roll Jonah for a HALF CRAB!

Fans fire up as Lawlor has Jonah’s leg! Jonah endures, Lawlor turns it for a HEEL HOOK CRAB! But Jonah rolls! Lawlor holds on, and has the GRAPEVINE! Jonah flails and reaches out, ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Lawlor lets off slowly and fans fire up. Lawlor waits for Jonah to stand to KICK at the leg! And again! And again! Fans rally, Lawlor runs, but Jonah reels him in! Lawlor dodges the haymaker to BLINDSIDE ROLLING ELBOW! Jonah stays up, Lawlor runs and WHEEL KICKS Jonah, then ZIGZAGS!! Cover, TWO!! Jonah sends Lawlor flying with that kick-out! Lawlor hurries back to fire off forearms!

Jonah ROCKS Lawlor with one, but Lawlor throws another. They go back and forth and fans rally up! Lawlor EuroUppers then KICKS and BOOTS Jonah! Lawlor wrenches, reels Jonah in, and fires off “TOM! LAWLOR!” elbows! But Jonah HEADBUTTS Lawlor! Lawlor ENZIGURIS back! Jonah staggers but stays up, so Lawlor clamps on a SLEEPER! Lawlor hops on but Jonah stays on his feet! Jonah backs up but Lawlor sends him into buckles! Lawlor kicks a leg out, headlocks, but Jonah powers out to BODY PRESS! Fans fire up and Lawlor is dazed! Jonah puts Lawlor in a corner then hoists him up top.

Jonah CHOPS Lawlor, climbs up after him, and fans fire up! Lawlor throws body shots to stop the superplex, then he BELL CLAPS Jonah! Jonah wobbles, Lawlor slips around and waistlocks! Jonah CLUBS Lawlor away but Lawlor HEADBUTTS a leg out! Then he SUPER URENAGES Jonah down!! Cover, TWO!! Jonah survives and fans fire up again! Lawlor gets up, throws knees into Jonah’s head, then PENALTY KICKS him! Lawlor calls his shot, brings Jonah in, TORNADO- Jonah blocks to fireman’s carry, and F5 Lawlor onto ropes! Jonah then drags Lawlor off those ropes to POWERBOMB! And then Jonah climbs the corner!

Fans fire up as Jonah reaches the top! DEATH FROM ABOVE!! Cover, Jonah wins!!

Winner: Jonah, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Lawlor earns 0)

The Top Dog destroys the Filthy Lawlor with that massive splash! Will Lawlor have to bring even more fire if he’s to get a win? Will Jonah continue to bring Death From Above to the rest of the block?

G1 Climax, B Block: SANADA VS Great-O-Khan!

These two faced off back at WrestleKingdom, and the Cold Skull came out on top. Sanada also came out on top against Taichi last round, while The Dominator was the victim of a heist at the hands of Chase Owens. Will Sanada keep this momentum going and be 2-1? Or will Khan redeem himself for the honor of the United Empire?

Khan stays firmly in the center of the ring, even as Sanada makes his entrance. Then Khan goes to his corner as Red Shoes does his checks. The bell rings and fans rally as the two circle. They feel out the grapple, Khan shoots to a waistlock and then gets an arm. Sanada goes to wrench out but Khan shoots to get a leg. Sanada floats around but Khan clinches with him. Khan waistlocks, uses a wristlock to roll Sanada, but Sanada keeps his shoulders off the mat. Khan pushes Sanada through to try again. Cover, ONE, and fans applaud as the two stand off. Khan and Sanada circle, Khan shoots in but Sanada dodges.

Sanada and Khan tie up, Sanada still wants an arm, but Khan still goes after a leg. Khan drags Sanada down, Sanada turns but Khan traps one of his arms against the mat. Khan then floats around, waistlocks and rolls to a bridge, ONE! Khan facelocks, Sanada fights up and fireman’s carries for the takeover! Khan guards with body scissors and goes for an arm but Sanada stays out of the triangle. Khan kicks Sanada away and gets back up, and fans cheer the newest standoff. Sanada and Khan circle again as fans rally up. They feel out another grapple, knuckle lock and Khan puts Sanada on ropes. Red Shoes counts the break and Khan lets off cleanly.

Sanada applauds with the fans, and the two reset again. They knuckle lock, Khan facelocks then gets a leg! He ties Sanada’s legs up and rolls but Sanada prevents the cover. Khan pushes through and gets an arm for a double wristlock! Sanada resists, Khan drags him up and waistlocks. Sanada fights that but Khan still drags him down. Sanada moves around, Khan goes for a headlock. Sanada keeps his shoulders up, gets a leg guard involved, but Khan moves up and around. Sanada moves to defend, but Khan just grabs the legs for a toehold! Then Khan shoots in to lateral press. Sanada slips out, and Sanada puts Khan on ropes now.

Red Shoes calls the ropebreak while fans applaud. Sanada lets off clean and fans cheer the sportsmanship. Khan slaps his face a bit to wake himself up. Khan and Sanada go again, and Khan drags Sanada right down to a KNEEBAR! Sanada endures, moves around, but Khan shifts to a HEEL HOOK! Sanada still fights to get around, reaches out and gets the ROPEBREAK! Fans applaud as Khan lets off slowly. Khan stomps Sanada’s leg then drags him up. Khan wrenches while fans rally, and Khan whips corner to corner. Sanada goes up and out and springboards in to missile dropkick! Khan bails out, Sanada PLANCHAS him down!

Fans fire up and Sanada encourages them to get louder. The fans oblige and Sanada is satisfied. Sanada then goes back for Khan, drags him up and puts him in the ring. Cover, TWO! Sanada drags Khan up, fireman’s carries, but Khan claws Sanada’s ribs! Khan slips off the fireman’s carry, pushes Sanada with the claw to the abs, but Sanada powers up! Sanada pushes the claw back but now Khan is after Sanada’s face! They fight for control and the fans rally up! Sanada dropkicks the legs! Sanada runs, but into a BOOT! Fans fire up as both men are down! Khan checks his neck then storms over to Sanada.

Fans rally as Khan stands Sanada up. Khan dribbles Sanada’s head off buckles, then SLAM DUNKS him! Khan runs but Sanada DROPKICKS him! Khan is right up but Sanada dodges the boot! Only to run into Khan’s LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Fans fire up again while both men are down. Khan sits up and he looms over Sanada. Khan drags Sanada up for Mongolian Chops! Sanada falls back down and fans fire up. Khan dares Sanada to get up, and then he Mongolian Chops again! Sanada falls back down but he grits his teeth as he gets back up. Khan aims, Mongolian Chops! Sanada falls again and Khan mockingly asks what’s wrong.

Khan kicks Sanada around and fans fire up. Sanada gets up in a huff and he fires off forearms! And an uppercut! Khan shakes his head, but Sanada dares him to hit back. Khan brushes himself off to Mongolian Chop! Sanada grits his teeth as he falls to a knee, but he stands back up. Fans fire up as Khan Mongolian Chops again! Sanada wobbles but he stays up! Khan can’t believe it! So he Mongolian CHOPS! Sanada falls, but the accidental low blow happens again! Jay White felt that, and Sanada takes advantage again! O’Conner Roll, TWO!! Sanada forearms, ROLLING ELBOWS and RUNNING ROLLING ELBOWS!

Fans fire up as Khan goes down! Sanada drags Khan up, fireman’s carries, and T K O!! Cover, TWO!! Sanada hurries up top for the ROUNDING BODY PRESS onto knees! Double-edged for Khan right now but the fans fire up as both men are down. Khan slowly rises but that knee is bothering him. He tells Red Shoes he’s okay to continue, and he rises in a corner. Sanada is in the other, and Khan roars as he runs corner to corner! Sanada elbows Khan! Sanada goes up but Khan CLUBS Sanada! Khan brings Sanada off the corner in a cradle, for a BACKBREAKER, to HITSUJIGOROSHI LUNA! The variation on the Sheep Killer makes it a rack!

Fans rally as Sanada endures, and he fights up pulling Khan’s ponytail! Sanada gets the dragon sleeper! Khan claws at Sanada’s face! IRON CLAW, into CLASSIC HITSUJIGOROSHI! Sanada endures, fights his way over and goes up the corner! Sanada uses that to go up and over and get the SKULL END! Sanada has the body scissors in and Khan is caught! Fans fire up as Khan endures, and Khan kicks and flails! Khan claws at Sanada’s bad eye! Red Shoes reprimands but Khan drags Sanada up. Red Shoes tells Khan to let go of the bad eye. Khan does, and Sanada SOBATS! Sanada runs, but Khan uses Red Shoes as a shield!

Sanada moves Red Shoes aside, but Khan’s IRON FIST knocks Sanada down! Red Shoes misses the closed fist punch and both men are down! Khan drags himself over to the corner, drags himself up with the ropes, and he headbutts the buckle to fire up! Fans fire up and Khan says he’ll end this! Khan hits a SECOND ROPE MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO!! Sanada survives and Khan can’t believe it! Khan clamps onto Sanada, drags him up, but Sanada arm-drags out of the Eliminator! POP-UP CUTTER! Sanada hurries to the corner to go up, ROUNDING BODY PRESS!! Cover, Sanada wins!

Winner: Sanada, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Khan earns 0)

The Cold Skull pulls it off again! Will Sanada be able to make a comeback and take this block? Will Khan continue to fall further away?

G1 Climax, C Block: Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Zack Sabre Jr!

The Ace has split his first two rounds, losing to Aaron Henare but defeating the already down Tetsuya Naito. However, the Submission Master is undefeated at 2-0, having made Kenta and Henare #JustTapOut. Will Tanahashi be able to make it through with love and energy? Or will ZSJ be unstoppable in the block?

Tanahashi shows off the muscles and fans applaud. The bell rings and fans rally up, “Let’s Go, Ace!” “Z S J!” Tanahashi and ZSJ circle, feel things out, and tie up collar ‘n’ elbow. They’re in a deadlock, ZSJ shoots around to a waistlock, but Tanahashi wrenches free. Tanahashi waistlocks, ZSJ switches, Tanahashi switches back, but ZSJ slips away from the leg takedown. Fans applaud this opening exchange and the two go again. Fans rally up more as the two go again. ZSJ gets the arm, wrenches through to a hammerlock, but Tanahashi moves around. Tanahashi drop toeholds, headlocks, but ZSJ turns to headscissor.

ZSJ pushes up to put on pressure, then holds tight. Tanahashi bridges, but ZSJ pushes up again. Tanahashi uses that to turn ZSJ over and tie up his legs! Fans applaud, but ZSJ reaches back to get a headlock. ZSJ shifts to a cravat, then he puts Tanahashi on ropes. Red Shoes counts the break but ZSJ lets off at 4. Fans applaud as ZSJ taunts Tanahashi. Tanahashi and ZSJ reset, and Tanahashi calls for a test of strength. ZSJ wipes his hands off on Red Shoes to make sure they’re dry. ZSJ then knuckle locks with Tanahashi, but then he spins to wrench and wristlock! ZSJ twists the wrist and shoulder, but Tanahashi powers through to wrench back!

ZSJ rolls, wrenches Tanahashi back, and fans applaud the exchange. Tanahashi slips through, wrenches and wristlocks, but ZSJ squats, uses a leg to break free, and he wrenches, wrenches and wristlocks again! Fans applaud the speed, and ZSJ BENDS Tanahashi’s fingers! Red Shoes reprimands but ZSJ wrenches the wrist. Tanahashi rolls, wrenches back, but ZSJ steps over to wrench right back! ZSJ uses one hand on the wristlock and taunts Tanahashi with it. Fans rally as Tanahashi endures, and Tanahashi throws a heavy body shot! ZSJ staggers away and Tanahashi promises Red Shoes that wasn’t a closed fist.

Tanahashi throws more body shots on ZSJ in the corner and fans fire up. Tanahashi drags ZSJ up to whip him corner to corner, but ZSJ reverses! ZSJ runs in but into an elbow! Tanahashi goes up, CROSSBODY! Fans fire up and Tanahashi air guitars. Tanahashi then gets ZSJ for a NECK TWIST! The Ace copies one of ZSJ’s favorites, and ZSJ bails out of the ring. Fans rally, “Let’s Go, Ace!” “Z S J!” as Tanahashi fetches ZSJ from the outside. Tanahashi puts ZSJ in the ring and fans applaud more. Tanahashi gets in but ZSJ gets the leg! DRAPING DRAGON SCREW! And then an arm assisted ARMBAR! Red Shoes counts, ZSJ lets go at 4.

ZSJ drags Tanahashi to the apron to isolate the arm, and STOMP it down! Tanahashi clutches his elbow, but ZSJ bends it back against the apron’s edge! Fans rally as Tanahashi endures and Red Shoes calls the ropebreak. ZSJ lets go and slides back in. ZSJ kicks at Tanahashi while fans rally up. ZSJ kicks Tanahashi as he sits up, then again. Tanahashi eggs ZSJ on so ZSJ KICKS him down! ZSJ stands on Tanahashi’s bad arm, then scuffs him. ZSJ clamps onto the bad arm and wraps it around ropes! Red Shoes reprimands and counts but ZSJ twists Tanahashi’s nose! The fans rally and ZSJ lets off at 4. ZSJ then eggs Tanahashi on.

Tanahashi sits up, ZSJ KICKS him, and KICKS him! ZSJ stands Tanahashi up to EuroUpper! ZSJ asks what’s up as Tanahashi drops to his knees. ZSJ taunts him with “Tanahashi sucks!” Tanahashi gets up to fire off forearms! ZSJ gets the bad arm and wrenches, to a FUJIWARA ARMBAR! Tanahashi moves around as he endures, and ZSJ floats to get an ANKLE LOCK! Then a stepover, to have both leglock and ARMBAR! And then DOUBLE ARMBAR! Then he shifts to a JIM BREAKS ARMBAR, then to BARRY FROM EASTENDERS! Tanahashi endures and fans rally up! Tanahashi pushes this to a cover, TWO!! ZSJ shifts to have the double wristlock, but Tanahashi gets the ROPEBREAK!

Fans fire up as ZSJ lets Tanahashi go quickly. Tanahashi clutches his arms but ZSJ eggs him on. ZSJ kicks at Tanahashi, but Tanahshi fires up! Tanahashi fires off forearms, but ZSJ EuroUppers! Tanahashi wobbles, but fires up to fire off fast hands! Tanahashi runs, but into a COBRA TWIST! Tanahashi switches it around! ZSJ fights that off, they go around and around, and around and around, and Tanahashi gets a leg! DRAGON SCREW! Fans fire up as both men are down! Fans rally up again, “Let’s go, Ace!” “Z S J!” Tanahashi drags ZSJ up for forearms and body shots! ZSJ goes to a corner, Tanahashi scoops and SLAMS him!

Tanahashi climbs up and SUNSET SENTONS! Cover, ROPEBREAK! Fans rally and Tanahashi waits on ZSJ to stand. ZSJ stands, and Tanahashi dropkicks his legs out! Fans fire up, Tanahashi runs, but ZSJ avoids the slingblade to get the arm! Fans fire up as Tanahashi clasps hands to resist the armbar! ZSJ twists the fingers to get the ARMBAR! Tanahashi rolls, ZSJ has the DISARMER, but Tanahashi gets the ROPEBREAK! ZSJ lets go and fans fire up. ZSJ drags Tanahashi up by his arm and wrenches through. Tanahashi throws a forearm! And another! And another! But ZSJ holds onto the wrist to wrench and ELBOW BREAKER!

Tanahashi goes to a corner, ZSJ runs in to EuroUpper! But Tanahashi shoves ZSJ back! ZSJ BOOTS Tanahashi, Tanahashi fires up and runs in, but ZSJ catches him to a full nelson! Tanahashi switches that onto ZSJ, but ZSJ breaks free! ZSJ resists the straitjacket suplex, slips under and kicks Tanahashi’s legs out! REAR NAKED CHOKE! Then ZSJ switches to the ARMBAR! Tanahashi clasps hands to resist again and fans fire up, but ZSJ breaks the grip! Tanahashi hurries to turn towards the armbar, but ZSJ pushes him down! They move around, ZSJ has the TRIANGLE HOLD, but Tanahashi gets the ROPEBREAK!

ZSJ lets Tanahashi go, and fans fire up. ZSJ brings Tanahashi up to WRING the arm! Fans rally as ZSJ drags Tanahashi up to WRING the arm again! ZSJ drags Tanahashi up again, wrenches through, and PELES the arm! Fans fire up as ZSJ KICKS, but Tanahashi blocks it! ZSJ SLAPS Tanahashi but Tanahashi dropkicks the other leg! Fans fire up more and Tanahashi runs, but into a GUILLOTINE! Tanahashi stays up, and powers through to a TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Tanahashi holds on to TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT again! Tanahashi drags ZSJ up again, but ZSJ counters with a GUILLOTINE! Tanahashi endures but he drops to a knee!

Fans rally up and ZSJ brings Tanahashi around, ZACK- NO, Tanahashi scoops out of the driver to MICHINOKU DRIVER! Fans are thunderous as Tanahashi stands again and runs, to SLINGBLADE! Cover, TWO! Tanahashi fires up and goes to the corner! Tanahashi climbs, ZSJ stands, HIGH FLY ATTACK! But ZSJ rolls through to body scissor and EUROCLUTCH! TWO!!! Tanahashi escapes and fans are thunderous! ZSJ is pissed, he PENALTY KICKS, but Tanahashi blocks it! Some fans can’t help but shout out as Tanahashi DRAGON- NO, ZSJ steps through the screw to get the ARMBAR!! Tanahashi hurries to roll him up, TWO!!

ZSJ has the TRIANGLE HOLD! Tanahashi pushes forward to bridge! ZSJ’s arm is under the ropes but Red Shoes misses it! TANAHASHI WINS!!!

Winner: Hiroshi Tanahashi, by pinfall (gains 2 points; ZSJ earns 0)

ZSJ and Tanahashi aren’t even sure the match ended, but it has! ZSJ wants to point out the ropebreak but Red Shoes can’t call what he can’t see. The Ace snatches these points from the jaws of defeat, will ZSJ be more aware of his surroundings next time? As for Tanahashi, he goes to the ropes but the fans rally, “Let’s Go, Ace!” Tanahashi acknowledges them and gets the mic. And don’t trust El Phantasmo’s “translation” on English commentary, he’s biased.

“The G1 Climax is back in the summer, and back in Nagoya! This G1 is even more important to me, and here is why. Everyone wants to win this thing. But even as we’ve been through a lot, more than just the victory, the only one to lead the way after this tournament is ME!” Fans cheer but Tanahashi says he can get more than that. “It HAS to be me!!” Fans applaud louder this time, and Tanahashi says their support has really touched him. Tanahashi thanks them for that. Tanahashi sets the mic down, but of course fans want the “AIR GUI-TAR! AIR GUI-TAR!” A Young Lion brings it out from beneath the ring and throws it up to Tanahashi!

Tanahashi says, “LET’S ROCK!” And the air guitar concert begins! Tanahashi admits it’s been awhile. And he thanks the fans for the cheer. But now fans want the “EN-CO-RU! EN-CO-RU!” Tanahashi looks around and a fan throws another air guitar to him! “LET’S ROCK!” Tanahashi gives fans the encore, but his big jump hurts his knee a bit. But the fans rallying, “Let’s Go, Ace!” helps him get back up! “LAST ONE!” Another encore and Tanahashi throws the air guitar back. Tanahashi picks the mic back up and says, “Three air guitar songs after the match. I’m okay. I’ve never been tired in my life, and that’s why I can carry this company.”

Fans applaud as Tanahashi stands back up. “I will win this G1… in a snap! Nagoya…! ASHITEMASU~!” The fans in Nagoya love Tanahashi, but will The Ace be able to trump everyone to reach the Climax?

My Thoughts:

Another great night for G1 on a day that is stacked with wrestling. I was very surprised to see Finlay beat Takagi, but it was technically with a technical move, and he didn’t dominate Takagi. Depending on how things shake out with the US Championship, I’d also love to see Finlay take Takagi on for the KOPW trophy after the G1. Great stuff out of Lawlor and Jonah, though it was more of a grind out, cerebral kind of match. Fans weren’t quite as fired up for it but they were still into it. And I figured Jonah would win. Lawlor’s not small but he is small for A Block and all the monsters in it. Jonah is also taking on Jeff Cobb next and THAT is going to be wild!

Sanada VS Khan for the first time 1v1 since WrestleKingdom was a great rematch, and a great showing from both. Sanada wins to keep pace with Takagi, but it is surprising Khan went 0-2. If nothing else, we’ll see Sanada and Takagi in the semifinals, and I’d love to see Okada VS Sanada again. And of course, an awesome main event from Tanahashi and ZSJ. They always build off their previous matches, and a great finishing exchange for the somewhat controversial finish. But Tanahashi still gets the win as he needed it more than ZSJ. ZSJ is still strong in the block and he takes on Goto next, so he can get his win back by giving Goto his first loss. Tanahashi can still make a run for the top, there’s still a lot of time and C Block seems to be up in the air.

My Score: 8.8/10

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Mitchell’s NJPW G1 Climax 32 Results & Report! (7/31/22)

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Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (1/20/25)

WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!

Published

5 minutes ago

January 20, 2025

Steven Mitchell

Time to burn it down!

Ahead of entering the Royal Rumble, Seth Rollins and Drew McIntyre go one more round in a rematch from WrestleMania 40!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

The New Day VS ???
Bayley VS Nia Jax; wins.
Damage CTRL VS Pure Fusion Collective; wins.
PENTA VS ???
Seth Rollins VS Drew McIntyre; wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

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MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)

TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)

WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)

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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

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Coverage

Andrew’s TNA Genesis Results & Match Ratings: 1.19.25

Does TNA Believe in Joe Hendry more than Mokuba Nemeth believes in his big brother?

Published

21 hours ago

January 19, 2025

Andrew Balaz

Hot off the heels of the TNA and WWE working relationship announcement, the Kickoff show already has the first sprinkle of NXT talent with Ashante “Thee” Adonis coming out after Ariana Grace tries to take all of the credit for the partnership. Jake something runs over Ashante, but it’s a good quick nod on free YouTube. Oh it also looks like the ring announcer is McKenzie Mitchel again. I did like her first run in TNA in what was that… like 2016-2018 or 19? She’s got personality, she’s cute and a solid announcer, so nice to see her back.

I’m not gonna run down any predictions on who I think will win, because honestly, I just feel like Hendry needs to win today or it’s been an entire waste of momentum. So lets get to the main show!

Ratings:

X Division Championship: Moose (c) vs Ace Austin: Moose retains via Lights Out – *** 1/4
The System vs Maniac Marines: Marines win via K.I.A. – ***
Knockouts Tag Titles: Elegance Clique (Heather & Ash) w/Personal Concierge vs Spitfire (Dani Luna & Jody Threat) (c): Spitfire retain via Pressure Drop – **
Jordynne Grace vs Tessa Blanchard: Tessa wins via Magnum – ****
I Quit Match: Josh Alexander vs Mike Santana: Santana wins! – ***
TNA Tag Team Championships: The Hardyz (c) vs The Rascalz: Hardyz retain via Swanton Bomb – *** 1/2
Raven’s Clockwork Orange House of Fun Match: TNA Knockouts World Championship: Masha Slamovich (c) vs Rosemary: Masha wins via Avalanche Requiem – ** 3/4
TNA World Championship: Nic Nemeth (c) vs Joe Hendry: Hendry wins via Standing Ovation – *** 3/4 – TITLE CHANGE!!!!!!!

Results:

X Division Championship: Moose (c) vs Ace Austin

As soon as the bell rings, Ace jumps on him, forces him into the corner and stomps on him. Moose tries to fight out but Ace stays relentless. Ace has a counter for everything Moose is trying to counter in the early goings. Even when Moose catches him during the apron Handstand Dodge, Ace still has a counter for his counter. It’s not until a rake to the eyes from Moose that finally gives him a moment to start dictating the pace. A huge Irish Whip on the outside through the barricade is what Ace feels…twice. Ace tries to fight back from Moose continuing the momentum, Ace eats a Pump Kick, but blocks Moose’s attempt at a Suplex and counters with his own Vertical Suplex on Moose! JDC gets in the proximity of Ace so Ace kicks him, which delays his springboard, so Moose catches him and bounces him off the apron like a super ball.

Moose lets the count go, Ace barely gets in at 9, Moose throws him corner to corner, is slowing things down and being very deliberate. Ace starts powering through the pain, catches a Pump Kick, dodges a Spear into the corner and puts together a few strikes, Double Stomp, Triangle Kick, wants The Fold but Moose puts the brakes on there. Ace tries to spring off the ropes but Moose grabs him and hits Go To Hell for two! Fighting Spirit spot, Ace starts winning the trade, a Headbutt from Moose stops Ace, Moose flips him over the ropes to the apron, tries a few more things, Ace looks for a Springboard, Moose catches him but Ace slips it for a Frankensteiner. Moose powders to the opposite apron and Ace hits his Inside Out Headscissors sending Moose crashing to the floor. Alisha and JDC try to help up Moose, and while the referee is distracted JDC posts Ace. Moose goes for the Around the World Lights Out, but Ace moves and Moose kills JDC! Ace hits The Fold on the floor!

Eddie Edwards and Brian Myers run down the ramp, Ace sees them so he hits the Fosbury Flop to take them out. Ace is rolling, he goes for the Triangle Kick but Moose counters with Lights Out! 1-2- KICK OUT? Moose sets up for another Lights Out, Ace sidesteps it for the Cradle, kickout, Uranage, Cradle counter, Art of Finesse from Ace but Lights Out to the Spine from Moose! Moose sets up another and lands the Lights Out to retain!

Post Match the System looks to beat down on Ace, but Maniac Marines music hits and they go after Myers and Edwards. Guess the match is now!

The System vs Maniac Marines

Steve and Eric beat the hell out of the System members while the referee tries to set the match, it still hasn’t started but we get stereo 10 count punches in the corner, big fists causing Myers and Edwards to powder. This is essentially a Tornado Tag right now because the match hasn’t even started. Okay it eventually starts and Maclin hits the Backbreaker on Edwards and Busaiku Knee on Myers. He looks for a SCUD but Lish grabs the foot which is just enough! Maclin tries to charge anyway but gets caught in the Blue Thunder Bomb and now the match slows down and Eddie is in control.

Maclin absorbs some Chops from Eddie in the corner, no sells a little and fires, Eddie tags out Myers tries to slow things down with a Russian Leg Sweep but Maclin continues to try and rally. Eddie’s back in, shortarm Gowan Lariat into a cocky cover for two. Eddie tries to keep moving but Maclin hits the Vertical Suplex. Maclin is too slow to tag out so Eddie tags out and Myers cuts off Maclin. After a few more quick tags from System members, Maclin finally lands a Lariat to get the simultaneous tag and EY comes in hot. EY does the Flair corner flip, knocks Eddie off the apron, Myers eats a Macho Elbow but only two. Eddie knocks Maclin off the apron, Tandem Tiger Driver for two, EY fights back to level Eddie, Tree of Woe Myers Caught in Crosshairs but Lish gets in the ring! Eddie grabs Eric and distracts the ref, Lish clocks Maclin with either knuckles or a full hand of rings, Spear from Myers is only a two!

System Overload attempt, it’s thwarted by EY, Myers gets crotched in like a Reverse Tree of Woe, so Maclin hits the Caught in the Crosshairs on the back, EY with a Plancha to the outside to take Edwards out and K.I.A. from Maclin means Maniac Marines win!

Knockouts Tag Titles: Elegance Clique (Heather & Ash) w/Personal Concierge vs Spitfire (Dani Luna & Jody Threat) (c)

Elegance duo comes out dressed like Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. They do a Go Eagles chant right before the bell rings to a chorus of Boos.

Even though Elegance Clique throws their pompoms and try a cheap shot, Spitfire just plow through them, literally. Quick tags, some assisted moves, Ash gets away from Spitfire, tags in Heather and shoves her forward trying to take them off guard, but they turn around…grab Heather and a long Tandem Stalling Suplex with a Deep Squat for two. Concierge distracts the referee, looks for a low Dive onto Heather but Ash just kicks Dani in the face, and the referee sees nothing. Heather rolls her back in, Kawada Kicks, Forearm Shiver, trip into a Dropkick to the face! Ash hangs Dani off the apron and Heather hits the Double Stomp from the apron to the floor.

Ash starts choking Dani on the ropes, distracts the referee and Heather paintbrushes Dani with pompoms as Ash goes for a series of pinfall attempts. Quick tags, Dani is in their corner, Cartwheel Back Handspring Elbow from Ash into a Seated Dropkick from Heather. Dani has been getting smacked around for the last 4 or 5 minutes. Ash leans on Dani for a while, but Dani gets a head of steam, comes off the ropes and Shotgun Dropkick gives her space. Jody gets a hot tag, she Sack of Shits them both, Vader Hammers in the corner into a Michinoku Driver, which Ash breaks up with a Meteora. Heather and Ash have a nice tandem move for a two count. Jody tries to fight back, but Elegance stops it, blind tag from Dani, Senton takes out both Elegance Clique members and Dani stalks her prey. Snap Suplex two times on Ash, but Heather stops the third and Jody just tosses Heather out of the ring in a rough way. Jody tries her Double Knees German Suplex spot but Ash moves. Dani with the Shinsuke Nakamura Inside Out German, Pressure Drop and Spitfire retains.

Boo…

Jordynne Grace vs Tessa Blanchard

Grace charges Tessa immediately, and the ref needs to pull her off, but Tessa gets thrown around the ring literally, the crowd is chanting “Fuck You Tessa”, Tessa powders, eats a Dive and then a Jackhammer on the outside! Grace puts Tessa on her shoulders up to the ring, but Tessa finally fights off and flips off the crowd, revels in it for a second, tries the Frankensteiner, but Grace holds on, smashes Tessa into the guardrail twice, looks for the Reverse Bomb on the apron, but Tessa gets out, stomps on Jordynne a few times, hooks Jordynne’s face with the crook of her leg and drives Jordynne’s face into the apron. Unique looking and decent.

Tessa has the correct intensity, pushes into two quick pinfall attempts and starts getting deliberate. Drags Jordynne’s face across the rope, throats Grace, kicks her in the face and Slingshot Elbow is another near fall. Tessa with the Front Facelock, Grace tries to fight out but Tessa holds on and drops her with a Scorpion Death Drop for another near fall. Jordynne fights Tessa off with a few elbows, looks for a Superplex, but Tessa fights off, wants the Avalanche Sunset Bomb, but Jordynne stops it, Tessa kicks Grace’s feet, looks for a Rope Hung Death Drop but Jordynne fights it off and smashes Tessa’s face into the turnbuckles but Tessa hits the Rope Hung Backstabber for two. Tessa looks for Magnum, but Jordynne cuts her off, they fight at the top, Avalanche Sack of Shit! They both sell the exhaustion of the match so far.

They trade blows, two Scoop Slams from Jordynne, Lawn Dart into the Top Turnbuckle! Package Powerbomb for two! Dragon Suplex attempt from Grace, Tessa breaks it, Headlock Takeover, quick counter wrestling, Tiger Destroyer from Tessa! Only for a two count, but still nice. Buzzsaw attempt is shrugged off, Tessa comes off the ropes and eats the Spinebuster from Jordynne for two quick pinfall attempts. Tessa with the Body Scissors and pulls herself up and fights back, Jordynne slaps her around, looks for the Suplex but Tessa slips it and Neckbreaker Counter for a two count! The brawl to the apron, Grace eats a forearm and Tessa hits the Tornillo on Jordynne! They posture on the steps, Tessa wants a move but Jordynne counters her and Spicolli Driver from the stairs to the floor from Jordynne!

More back and forth in the corner, just positioning and counters, it’s like watching chess. Jordynne grabs Tessa for an Avalanche Air Raid Crash, but Tessa fights it and turns it into an Avalanche Crucifix Bomb! After trying a grounded submission Tessa locks in the Octopus, tries to wrench the fingers but Jordynne counters, Rope Assisted German Suplex into a Capture Suplex for 2! Kudome Valentine attempt from Grace but Tessa gets out, Backfist from Jordynne, Tessa bounces off and Cutter gives her a two count! Tessa calls for Magnum, Jordynne dodges it, Tessa rolls through, tries boots but Grace grabs Tessa and hits the around the world Reverse Alabama Slam! Tessa keeps trying to remove Buckle Pads but they’re on good, Tessa reverses out of the Kinikku Buster, hits the Buzzsaw into the partially exposed buckle but Grace grabs the rope. Tessa removes another pad, Bulldog into exposed buckle, Magnum, and Tessa is still sexy.

The turnbuckle pads being on too well made the finish a little flat, but it was a damn good match. There’s also a joke in the match with Tessa coming out wearing Red and Gold (Yellow), so the racism allegations are never going away if she keeps making it easy.

I Quit Match: Josh Alexander vs Mike Santana

There’s intensity but its all just technical tactics to take each other to the ground and grab a limb. But since we just came off of a pretty good match, things can’t start too hot. Every time Santana throws Josh to the outside, Josh scurries back to the ring, he’s playing scared. There’s a “He’s a bitch” chant that pops up. Santana cuts off Josh’s charge with a few well placed boots which sends Josh outside, Tope con Hilo levels the bald man. Santana throws Josh into a guardrail, Yakuza Kicks back to back rock Josh a bit. Fans call for tables and Santana slides one out to a huge pop. Santana sets it up, plays to the crowd, tries a Powerbomb onto the table but Josh slips it and Overhead Belly to Belly sends Santana crashing. A fan can be heard saying “That look like it hurt” to which Santana replies ” It did asshole”. Now Josh is dissecting Santana’s legs to soften him up for the Ankle Lock. Josh goes for the corner spot with the Figure Four around the post after bouncing the knee off the post a few times.

Josh tries to continue but Santana slides out and counters Josh and bounces his face off the post. Josh walks it off a bit as Santana stalks him and then a quick Chop Block has Santana writhing in pain. Josh decides to be a heel and do the Three Amigos instead of the Kurt Angle Germans. Disrespectful bald jerk. Santana gets throated, dropped to the apron on his ass, Low Crossbody but Santana flattens out and Josh goes flying! Santana tries a Dive, but Josh catches him and just drops him spine first on the apron. After a small resilient flurry of slaps from Santana Josh goes for the Germans. Santana brushes off on the third, goes for the Rolling Buck Fifty, gets caught in the Torture Rack, Santana fights off Josh’s shoulders, kicks him into the corner, Senton into the seated Josh. Perches him up top, points at the table, tries something but Josh fights him off, Moonsault from Josh misses and a Death Valley Driver gives both a moment to breathe.

Santana Spin the-BLOCK-ED! Josh sweeps the leg, Ankle Lock and Santana refuses to quit twice but slips the boot ala Eddie Guerrero. Josh pauses a moment, Santana charges and Josh dumps him over the top rope through the table! Santana says he doesn’t quit, Josh looks surprised, so he goes looking for more plywood. He also grabs the bottom set of stairs and throws them into the ring. Scoop Slams Santana into the broken table and continues looking for weapons, like a chair and zip ties. Santana crawls into the ring, Josh steps on the worked on leg and smashes it repeatedly with the chair. Josh goes into Full Mount, rains down strikes, exposes the elbow for Elbow Strikes and tries to soften him up for the zip ties. C4 Spike but Santana raises up like the Undertaker and fires into beating the piss out of Josh. Frankensteiner on Josh into the Frog Splash, Spin the Block! Josh doesn’t quit. Santana grabs the zip ties that Josh introduced, ties the hands behind Josh’s back, Spin the Block 2! Josh doesn’t quit. Santana sets up the steps as a ramp, table in front of Josh in the corner and Cannonballs through the table into Josh! Josh still doesn’t quit off the Jackass stunt. Santana finds a sock filled with quarters and starts beating Josh like it’s a slapjack. Josh still doesn’t quit. Santana tells Josh to bite the curb and is about to Curb Stomp him into the steps and Josh gets scared and quits.

TNA Tag Team Championships: The Hardyz (c) vs The Rascalz

Fraxiom comes out to watch the match, so this nicely sets up a potential early angle between NXT and TNA for the crossover.

Trey and Matt start, but it’s a slow Headlock basic counters and feint spots. Jeff and Wentz want to play, so this is very Japanese in giving each member a free chance to interact before any cutoffs or tandems. The crowd likes both men, so this is interesting but more Stalemate spots. Jeff manages a Polish Hammer to tag in Matt and go for a quick tandem move and keep Wentz in the Hardy Corner bouncing his face off buckles in Delete fashion. Tag from Jeff for another tandem Rocket Launcher into the bottom rope and Leg Drop from Jeff. Wentz counters the Twist with a Jumping Knee so he manages a tag to Trey and then a few quick striking double team spots. Quick tag to Wentz, Matt comes in to break it up, drops Matt and Wishbone. Quick Tag, MCMG ACS Rush homage. Wentz Dives onto Matt on the outside, Matt catches him into the Side Effect on the floor! Jeff gets the best of Trey after he’s a little distracted. Manhattan Drop from Jeff, into a tag to Matt and then some double team strikes for a near fall. Delete Head Smashes again on Trey.

Vertical Suplex from Matt for another 2. Matt tags out and Hardys look for more Tandem attacks, Plot Twist but Wentz recovers and makes the break! Trey flips out of Jeff’s arms, tags in Wentz, and Wentz cleans house on both Hardys. Corner to corner, tags back in Trey they hit the Saki Kashima assisted Dropkick on each Hardy and then they dump the Hardys at the feet of Fraxiom. FIVE HOLE DIVE FROM RASCALZ! Misses the Hardys and hits Fraxiom! This builds heat for The Rascalz and Fraxiom as Hardys attack the Rascalz while distracted. Poetry in Motion off the stairs from Jeff!

Facebuster from Jeff for two! Wentz hits a Busaiku Knee on Jeff to stop him from hitting Trey, Side Effect drops Wentz, Enzuigiri from Trey drops Matt and all four are down to catch their breath a bit. Original Poetry in Motion on Trey! Twist of Fate from Matt but countered and Matt is thrown into Jeff who’s selling a knee. Superkick into Feed Em to the Lions! Wentz Dives on Matt but Trey can’t quite make a clean pinfall. Jeff eats a Cheeky Nandos and Top Rope Tiger Feint, Twist of Fates for everyone and Jeff re-NO Trey kicks out! Another Twist but eats a Superkick from Wentz, tries the UFO Cutter on Matt but Matt just throws him to the outside. A Twist of Fate from each Hardy Boy, Swanton Bomb and the Hardyz retain!

Thursday’s Live Show will have Fraxiom vs The Rascalz for the NXT Titles!

Raven’s Clockwork Orange House of Fun Match: TNA Knockouts World Championship: Masha Slamovich (c) vs Rosemary

Do Rosemary’s shorts have Pokemon Gym Badges on em? Masha goes for the Staple Gun, it almost gets countered immediately, but she gets the first few clicks of the Staple gun, it actually doesn’t backfire, but she lets Rosemary powder and starts grabbing a few weapons. Masha finally decides to attack Rosemary with a cane, but Rosemary turns things around with the green mist. Slamovich gets some of the mist out of her eyes, chases her into the ring and eats a Drop Toehold into a Chair. Rosemary sets up the table, panders to the crowd and Masha launches herself over the top with a Crossbody, into Rosemary and then through the table! Masha finds her old chain she used to make Killer Kelly submissive and starts choking and dragging Rosemary around the ring and then Sabus the chair at Rosemary for emphasis.

Masha tries to hit the front flip Senton onto a seated Rosemary, but Rosemary moves and Masha hits the chair weird. Rosemary beats her with a chair a few times, looks under the ring, gets giddy and finds Janice! Rosemary swings Janice, breaks it, and then uses the two pieces to block the cane Masha had and then pressed the nail portion into Masha’s back! Rosemary is talking to Janice and goes to the back to find tacks that she spills out on the stage. Rosemary wants a Chokeslam into tacks, Masha counters, misses a Lariat and then eats the Spear into the tacks! Barbed Wire board is set up in the ring, Spicolli…nope! Russian Death Device into the Barbed Wire! Masha goes to the top, Footstomp into the barbed wire but only for 2 again! Masha goes to the outside and grabs a ladder.

A trash can lid gets thrown at Rosemary for good measure, Masha ascends the ladder and then Rosemary pushes the ladder and Masha goes crashing through one of two tables set up on the outside. Rough spot, rough looking, but Masha manages to move enough to break the pinfall since its falls count anywhere. Rosemary now goes full Kevin Steen and makes some chair art for a spot, drags Masha into the ring, sets he on the chairs and goes to the top. Masha sits up as Rosemary climbs, counters the momentum and Avalanche Requiem through the chairs! Masha retains.

Cora Jade’s music hits and sets up nicely after Masha was on NXT.

The Countdown Panel starts off with their main event picks they hinted towards and it’s necessary because they have to clean up the ring. Mark Henry picks Joe Hendry, and he better be correct. Ryan Nemeth interrupts with the “my brootthhheerrr” stuff, and Santino calls him “Fuck Face Guy”. It’s all good stuff, and I’m still a big fan of the Mokuba gimmick, but now they ban Ryan Nemeth.

TNA World Championship: Nic Nemeth (c) vs Joe Hendry

Simple chain wrestling start until Nic has a few words and then snaps off a Dropkick, does his show off Dolph stuff so Hendry runs him over with a Shoulder Block and then a Knee Lift. Hendry tries his Stalling Suplex but Nic slips it into a Rear Naked Choke! Hendry spins Nic around, walks around with the Stalling Suplex before finally dropping Nic. Ryan Nemeth shows up with a ticket, so he’s sitting in the crowd now. Joe gets distracted just enough for Nic to jump up and hit a delayed DDT. After Nic tries to stretch Joe a little, Hendry goes into locomotion Cradles but Nic drops Joe to take a breather. Nic does his single Shot to the Heart Elbow and he’s really embracing the old Dolph Ziggler show off ego. Ziggler looks for a Rude Awakening after more arrogant moments, but Joe tries to fight it off, so Nic just snaps off a Jumping Neckbreaker.

Joe manages to hit a Cutter off the ropes to try and get some energy from the crowd. Strike exchange happens here, Uppercuts from Joe and Fists from Nic. Joe blocks one fist, throws a few of his own together and a Lariat levels Nic. Sack of Shit into the Kip Up! Counters galore from both men before Nic gets caught in the Pop-Up Powerbomb! Attitude Adjustment for just a near fall. You see moments of Nic trying to cheat or find an angle but he hasn’t done anything overtly heelish yet. Joe is rocking him with chops, perches Nic on the top, looks for the Superplex but Nic fights back, Hendry gets pushed off, Crossbody but Hendry rolls through, holds on and gets his Powerbomb countered into a FAMEasser for two! Nic crawls to a corner, looks to climb for something big, Hendry cuts him off, Avalanche Sack of Shit! Kaz walks out with the trophy as both men sell, but JBL comes out of the crowd and Clothesline from Hell on Kaz. JBL punches Ryan in the face as he comes out to say something. Then Tuxedo JBL leaves after doing his job. Standing Ovation from HENDRY! 1-2-NO! Nic kicks out!

The crowd chants “One More Time” and it fires up Hendry, he does the heel turn and goes full Queen Stomp, tries again, but Nic slips it. Superkick into Danger Zone and it’s….HENDRY KICKS OUT! Nic is tuning up the band, Hendry catches Nic, Sack of Shit, Kip Up, big fire, Standing Ovation! JOE HENDRY WINS!

Overall Score: 7/10

Even if the match quality wasn’t bonkers, mostly all the matches did what they needed to do, were fairly good and a good number of NXT talent showed up to make the Live iMPACT! and TNA really feel like something special right now. I’m an unabashed Tessa fan, so I’m giddy she won and Hendry finally getting the title is the latest they could’ve really dragged this out to, but at least it stops him from becoming Tetsuya Nai-Joe.

I’m not gonna be a hypocrite from previous complaints I made with too many champions being babyfaces, because that’s still bad and proves the next few title defenses could prove volatile. However, I of course just enjoy most of the current champions. So while it doesn’t erase the fact it’s bad, it makes it more palatable for me personally. Now if only PCO destroyed the Knockouts Tags instead of a different irrelevant belt.

Also let’s be very clear, anyone that believes the PCO stunt was a legit shoot doesn’t know wrestling. Everything is a work until it isn’t and then it still could be turned into a work. Don’t be gullible and just anticipate something to be worked out of it one way or the other.

Still though, good show with a lot of hype for the Live iMPACT, so Thursday should be fun! See you there!