Coverage

Mitchell’s NJPW G1 Climax 32 Results & Report! (8/16/22)

And your semifinalists are…!

Published

2 years ago

August 16, 2022

Steven Mitchell

It’s the final round of the round robin!

NJPW’s biggest G1 Climax ever is at the doorstep of the semifinals! Who will take the A, B, C and D Blocks to head forward into history?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

G1 Climax 32, D Block: Will Ospreay VS Juice Robinson; Ospreay wins.
G1 Climax 32, D Block: Shingo Takagi VS El Phantasmo; ELP wins.
G1 Climax 32, C Block: Hirooki Goto VS EVIL; Evil wins.
G1 Climax 32, C Block: Tetsuya Naito VS Zack Sabre Jr; Naito wins.
G1 Climax 32, B Block: Tomohiro Ishii VS SANADA; Ishii wins.
G1 Climax 32, B Block: Tama Tonga VS Jay White; Tama wins.
G1 Climax 32, A Block: JONAH VS Bad Luck Fale; Jonah wins.
G1 Climax 32, A Block: Kazuchika Okada VS Lance Archer; Okada wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Here are the current standings!

A Block

Kazuchika Okada: 4-1, 8 points
Lance Archer: 3-2, 6 points
JONAH: 3-2, 6 points
Tom Lawlor: 3-3, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Jeff Cobb: 3-3, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Bad Luck Fale: 2-3, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
Toru Yano: 1-5, 2 points [ELIMINATED]

B Block

Jay White: 5-0, 10 points
Tama Tonga: 4-1, 8 points
SANADA: 3-2, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Chase Owens: 2-4, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
Great-O-Khan: 2-4, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
Taichi: 2-4, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
Tomohiro Ishii: 1-4, 2 points [ELIMINATED]

C Block

Zack Sabre Jr: 4-1, 8 points
Hirooki Goto: 3-2, 6 points
Tetsuya Naito: 3-2, 6 points
KENTA: 3-3, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Hiroshi Tanahashi: 3-3, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
EVIL: 2-3, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
Aaron Henare: 1-5, 2 points [ELIMINATED]

D Block

Shingo Takagi: 3-2, 6 points
Will Ospreay: 3-2, 6 points
YOSHI-HASHI: 3-3, 6 points
Yujiro Takahashi: 3-3, 6 points
David Finlay: 3-3, 6 points
El Phantasmo: 2-3, 4 points
Juice Robinson: 2-3, 4 points [ELIMINATED?]

G1 Climax 32, D Block: Will Ospreay VS Juice Robinson!

The D Block has been wild this entire G1, but it could finally settle down here. The Commonwealth Kingpin has to win and hope El Phantasmo wins to have a shot at the semifinals. Will The Booster give Ospreay a Rock Hard spoiler to open the night?

But as Juice makes his entrance, Ospreay attacks from behind! Ospreay still has beef with Juice over the IWGP US Championship debacle, so he’s not waiting for a bell! Ospreay DECKS Juice, fans fire up and then Ospreay brings Juice back up. Juice swings on Ospreay but Ospreay ducks and ROCKS Juice again! And then CHOPS him against railing! And then whips him, only for Juice to reverse! Ospreay hits railing hard, and Juice whips Ospreay the other way! Ospreay hits even harder this time! The ref reprimands but Juice scoops Ospreay as fans fire up. SNAKE EYES on the railing! Ospreay sputters and Juice rips up floor mats!

The ref reprimands again but Juice doesn’t care, this isn’t even a match yet! He drags Ospreay over to the bare patch but Ospreay fights the lift! Ospreay powers up but Juice CLUBS the back drop down! Juice puts Ospreay in the ring, the ref finally signals the bell, and now it’s a match! Juice rushes over but Ospreay dumps him out! Ospreay then builds up speed for the SASUKE SPECIAL! Direct hit and fans fire up! Ospreay shakes the railing and then drags Juice up. Ospreay ROCKS Juice, fans rally behind him, and Ospreay CHOPS Juice again! Juice is stinging but Ospreay drags him up to whip at railing! Juice reverses but Ospreay leaps up and over the railing!

Ospreay ROCKS Juice, jumps up, but Juice boots the railing and trips Ospreay up! Ospreay hits the railing hard! Fans fire up as Ospreay falls over and Juice catches his breath. Juice drags Ospreay up and turns him, NECKBREAKER to the railing! The ref checks Ospreay while Juice goes to the ring. Juice unties a neutral corner’s buckle pad while fans rally for “O-SU-PREAY!” Juice goes out and tells the ref to shut up! He drags Ospreay up and into the ring, then pulls at Ospreay’s shoulder tape. Juice drags Ospreay up and whips him hard into the bare buckles! Ospreay writhes, Juice covers, TWO!

Fans rally up while Juice argues the count. The ref says two is two, so Juice drags Ospreay up for a NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Ospreay is still in this but Juice clamps on a neck wrench! Fans rally as Ospreay endures, but Juice puts on more pressure. Ospreay fights up, throws elbows and is free, but Juice CLUBS him on the neck! Ospreay ROCKS Juice again! Juice wobbles but he dodges Ospreay. Ospreay goes up and out and springboards for PIP PIP CHEERIO! Direct hit and fans fire up as both men are down! Ospreay drags himself up the ropes and grits his teeth. Juice stands into a strike fest!

Ospreay whips, Juice reveres but Ospreay handsprings to NEURALIZER KICK! Juice bails out so Ospreay aims and PLANCHAS! Direct hit again and fans keep rallying! Ospreay drags Juice up, puts him back in the ring, and he aims from the corner again. But Juice intercepts the springboard to a fireman’s carry! Ospreay fights free, ROCKS Juice, but Juice CLOBBERS Ospreay on the apron! Juice snarls while Ospreay flounders and fans fire up. Juice goes out to the apron to drag Ospreay up. Juice reels Ospreay in but Ospreay resists the lift! Juice stands Ospreay up for HEADBUTT after HEADBUTT! Juice talks trash and Ospreay ENZIGURIS!

Fans fire up and Ospreay looks to the corner. Ospreay calls his shot, but Juice chicken wings him! Juice turns Ospreay but Ospreay shoves free. Juice goes around the corner but Ospreay leaps over! SUNSET- NO, Juice fights it off! Juice throws down fists, but Ospreay APRON POWERBOMBS! Fans are thunderous while Juice rolls back into the ring. Ospreay goes up the corner, takes aim as Juice stands, BLINDSIDE CHEERIO! Cover, TWO! Juice is still in this but Ospreay pushes him to a drop zone. Ospreay goes up top as fans rally again. Ospreay aims for the 450 SPLASH onto knees! Juice fireman’s carries to the JUICE BOX!! Cover, TWO!!

Fans fire up while Juice pulls at his own hair in frustration! Juice drags Ospreay back up, chicken wings him and says “Nighty-night, bitch!” But Ospreay shoves Juice away at the ref! Juice stops himself, but turns around into a SHOTGUN dropkick! Juice falls into the ref and they both hit the corner! Fans rally up while Young Lions check on the ref. Ospreay drags Juice up, reels him in and turns him, but Juice MULE KICK LOW BLOWS! Ospreay sputters as he falls over and Juice grabs the IWGP US Championship belt! Juice brings it into the ring, takes aim at Ospreay, and he runs in, but Ospreay dodges to HOOK KICK!

Fans fire up as Ospreay prepares his arm! Ospreay runs in, BELT SHOT from Juice!! Juice gets the ref back in the ring and covers, but the ref counts so slowly! TWO!! Juice is furious with the ref over that! The ref defends his count given what happened, but Juice drags Ospreay to the bare floor! PILEDRIVER to the floor!! Juice puts Ospreay back in, roars and calls his shot! Fans rally as Juice brings Ospreay up, turns him, and PULP FRICTION!! Cover, TWO!?!? That was a normal count but Ospreay still survives!! Juice is almost pulling his hair out while the fans are thunderously applauding! Juice roars again and drags Ospreay back up.

Juice torture racks, but Ospreay throws elbows! Juice powers up to keep Ospreay up but Ospreay slips around to a sunset flip! TWO! Juice blocks the superkick to throw the LEFT HAND O’ GOD! But Ospreay SUPERKICKS after all! And then Ospreay springboards, into the torture rack!! Juice spins into the ROCK- NO! Ospreay lands on his feet, for HIDDEN BLADE!! Cover, OSPREAY WINS!

Winner: Will Ospreay, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Juice earns 0)

And the Kingpin stays alive in the block! The chaos is almost over, but it all depends on what happens in the very next match!

G1 Climax 32, D Block: Shingo Takagi VS El Phantasmo!

We just saw Ospreay win, so all The Rampaging Dragon has to do now is win! Will Takagi be the first of Los Ingobernables de Japon to get into the semifinals? Or will the Headbanga be a Too Sweet spoiler?

The bell rings and fans rally, “TA-KA-GI!” “E L P!” and the two circle. They tie up, are in a deadlock, but Takagi finds leverage to put ELP on ropes. The ref counts, Takagi lets off but ELP avoids the chop to fire off forearms! ELP headlocks, Takagi power out then runs ELP over. Things speed up, ELP leaps, but into a fireman’s carry! ELP fights free, Takagi elbows him and whips him, but ELP RANAS! ELP handsprings and DROPKICKS Takagi out of the ring! Fans fire up and ELP builds speed to go up, up and THUNDER PLANCHA! Direct hit at the ramp! Fans fire up and ELP stands Takagi up to CHOP!

ELP goes to the apron but Takagi anchors his legs. ELP CLUBS and mule kicks Takagi away, to then TOO SWEET ASAI MOONSAULT! ELP almost overshoots his target but he still brings Takagi down! Fans fire up and ELP drags Takagi up. ELP puts Takagi in the ring, climbs the ropes and springboards to SWANTON! Then LIONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up and ELP is annoyed. ELP quickly tunes the band, but Takagi gets away to the far corner. ELP CHOPS Takagi, scoops and SLAMS him, then goes up the corner. Fans rally and ELP lines up his shot to drop, into BOOTS! ELP staggers away and Takagi gets to his feet.

Takagi ELBOWS, JABS, and YUKON LARIATS ELP down! Fans rally up more and Takagi gives a thumbs up. Takagi storms up on ELP, runs in but blocks the boot to still clothesline! Takagi fires up and fires off forearm after forearm! Then JAB, CHOP, JAB, CHOP, JAB JAB JAB! The ref has Takagi let off and Takagi brings ELP out from the corner. Takagi suplexes but ELP slips off to CLAW Takagi’s back! Takagi DOUBLE CHOPS then SENTONS! Takagi drags ELP up, suplexes again, high and hard for that slam! Cover, TWO! Fans rally again and Takagi looks to the camera. But ELP is lurking as Takagi says, “There’s more to come!” BUZZSAW!!

ELP drags Takagi up, straitjackets and torture racks, for the SPINNING NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!! Takagi survives and ELP is seething. Fans rally up as ELP drag Takagi up and reels him in. ELP wants to tuck the arms but Takagi resists! Takagi back drops ELP away and fans fire up again. Takagi runs in at the corner, but he ducks under as ELP goes over. ELP ducks and dodges to springboard CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO, but Takagi avoids the Lionsault! ELP keeps moving, and DIVES into a JAB! Fans fire up as ELP is slumped in the ropes! Takagi nods and this time, there’s more to come!

Takagi drags ELP out of the ropes into a fireman’s carry, DEATH VALLEY DRIVER to the floor! Takagi gets ELP back in the ring, pushes him to a cover, TWO! ELP survives but Takagi shakes out his arms. Fans rally up, “TA-KA-GI!” “E L P!” Takagi shouts “OI! OI! OI!” and the fans clap along. Takagi runs in at the corner to clothesline! But ELP just gets in Takagi’s face! Takagi runs, ELP boots him then ENZIGURIS! But Takagi rebounds to SLIDING LARIAT! But ELP stands up! Takagi ELBOWS, ELP MULE KICKS, Takagi JABS, ELP JABS, Takagi YUKON feints to the DDT! Fans are thunderous as both men are down!

ELP and Takagi stir, and Takagi crawls after ELP. Fans rally up and Takagi stands. Takagi brings ELP up and fireman’s carries, but ELP grabs the ropes! Takagi gives ELP SNAKE EYES, then fireman’s carries again! Takagi climbs up the corner with ELP and fans rally up as Takagi tucks the arm. ELP BITES Takagi’s ear! ELP then moves around, but Takagi throws body shots! Takagi shoves ELP away but ELP backflips to land on his feet! SANKAKUGERI! Takagi wobbles from that step-up enziguri, and ELP ROCKS Takagi with haymaker after haymaker! ELP goes up top now, for a SUPER DUPER STEINER!!

And then ELP goes right back up, for the THUNDERKISS 86!! Cover, TWO?!!? Takagi survives and fans are thunderous again! ELP and Takagi stir, ELP sits up first and shakes his head. ELP takes aim from the corner, BANG, and he reels Takagi in. ELP tucks the arm but Takagi fights the lift. ELP throws KNEE after KNEE into Takagi, then tucks the arms again. C R- RANA!? And PUMPING BOMBER! Fans rally as hard as ever and Takagi drags ELP up to hook his arms. NOSHIGAMI! But that’s not all, Takagi gets moving to PUMPING BOMBER!! Cover, TWO!?!? ELP survives and Takagi can’t believe it!

Takagi pounds the mat, the fans clap along, and Takagi stands again. Takagi reels ELP in, pump handle and torture rack, but ELP turns it into a CRUCIFIX DRIVER! TWO, and ELP runs, into a POP-UP DEATH VALLEY!! But ELP stands back up! Takagi throws boxing elbows on ELP again and again! ELP wobbles and Takagi hooks him up, LAST- SUNSET! But Takagi rolls through, and ELP reels him in! C R 2!!! ELP pushes Takagi to the cover, TWO!?!?! Takagi survives again and no one can believe it!! ELP is beside himself as he crawls to the corner. ELP shakes his head, he vows to end this! And so, he tunes up the band!

Fans clap along as ELP stomps and stomps. ELP rushes in, but Takagi JABS and HEADBUTTS! ELP SUPERKICKS! But Takagi runs in, into another SUPERKICK!! ELP hurries to get Takagi up and tuck him in, C R PILEDRIVER!!!! Cover, ELP WINS??!!

Winner: El Phantasmo, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Takagi earns 0)

What a shocker! ELP takes down Takagi, allowing OSPREAY to advance! Will the Kingpin make the most of this good fortune in the semifinal round?

G1 Climax 32, C Block: Hirooki Goto VS EVIL w/ Dick Togo!

The Fierce Warrior is right on the bubble! If he wins, Tetsuya Naito is OUT! If not, then the next match will have even more drama heaped onto it! Will the King of Darkness choose to spoil Goto’s or Naito’s run here in the final round?

Goto makes his entrance, and Evil attacks him from behind! The King of Darkness is copying the Kingpin! But Goto uses his staff against Evil! And then knees low and throws him away! Then Goto kicks and SMACKS Dick! And then the same for Evil! Goto CHOKES Evil with the staff! The ref rushes in and takes the staff away, but Goto just SMACKS Evil with his jacket! Fans rally up as Goto drags Evil up and CLUBS him! Goto puts Evil in the ring, the ref signals the bell, and this is a match! Goto CLUBS Evil more, then whips him corner to corner. Evil reverses but Goto comes back to run Evil over!

Fans rally as Evil crawls to a corner. Goto runs in and clotheslines! Goto pushes Evil down, fires up and climbs the corner! Fans rally but Dick grabs Goto’s feet! Evil throws hands and then THROWS Goto! Evil takes off his House of Torture merch shirt and CHOKES Goto with it! The ref reprimands and counts, Evil lets off at 4. Evil tells the ref to shut up and then he kicks Goto around. Fans rally for Goto, Evil kicks kicking him around, but Goto gets up to CHOP! And CHOP! And CHOP! Evil whips Goto to the blue corner, and surprise! Dick has already removed the buckle pad! The Bullet Club Special is in play!

Goto writhes and Evil crawls his way over to cover, TWO! Evil argues the count but the count was fair. Fans rally again while Evil paces around. Evil drags Goto up, but Goto throws body shots and haymakers! Evil knees low, runs, but Goto follows! Evil dodges but Goto deflects the boot to DISCUS LARIAT! Fans fire up while both men are down. Goto drags Evil up, whips him to a corner, then runs in to MURAMASA! And then BULL- NO, Evil fights the bulldog, so Goto hooks him up for a RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Cover, TWO! Fans rally and Goto drags Evil back up. Evil pokes him in the eye! Evil runs, but Goto runs him over!

Evil crawls to ropes, Goto runs side to side, but Evil dumps him out! Evil distracts the ref so that Dick can whip Goto. But Goto reverses and Dick hits railing! Evil goes out, CLUBS Goto, then whips him at railing! Goto rebounds and runs at Evil! But Evil uses a Young Lion as a shield! Evil then kicks Goto low, and brings him over to snap suplex to the ramp! Goto writhes and Evil slides into the ring. Evil wants the ring count so the ring count starts. Fans rally for Goto as he crawls his way back to ringside. Goto is there at 10 but he staggers. Dick springs out from under the ring to anchor Goto! The count is 15! Goto stomps Dick, gets free and in at 19.9!!

Evil is furious and Goto points out Dick was up to no good! But then Evil clotheslines Goto into the corner, and fireman’s carries! DARKNESS FALLS! Cover, TWO!! Evil is furious but the fans are fired up! Evil slashes his throat and vows to end this. He drags Goto up, spins him, but Goto fights off the STO! Evil rakes the eyes! Evil whips but Goto reverses, but Evil reverses back! Goto hits bare buckles, Evil runs in but Goto scoops Evil into the corner! DRAPING SHOUTO! Fans fire up while both men are down again! Goto stands back up and roars as he builds up power. Evil rises, into the BUZZSAW!

Evil staggers up but Goto fireman’s carries for USHIGOROSHI! Fans rally and Goto roars again! Goto drags Evil back up, clamps on the dragon sleeper, but Evil claws Goto’s eyes! The ref reprimands, Evil lets off, and then he blocks Goto’s kick! Evil throws the foot into the ref, Dick gets in, but Goto fights Magic Killer! Goto turns things around, and he uses Dick to help steal MAGIC KILLER!! Fans are thunderous as Goto drags Evil back up. Another fireman’s carry, for G T W!! Cover, TWO!! Evil survives but Goto drags him back up. Fans rally as Goto puts the dragon sleeper back on. But Evil turns things around onto Goto!

Evil grabs the ref to keep him from seeing Dick get in! Dick LOW BLOWS Goto! Evil then spins Goto around for EVERYTHING IS EVIL!! Cover, Evil wins!

Winner: Evil, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Goto earns 0)

The Fierce Warrior has fallen! He will NOT be advancing! Will Evil expect to be thanked by whoever wins the next match?

G1 Climax 32, C Block: Tetsuya Naito VS Zack Sabre Jr!

Now that Goto is out of the way, both the Uncontrollable Charisma and Submission Master have something to fight for! Will Naito make sure his last G1 is his greatest? Or will he #JustTapOut to the man who put him on the shelf last time?

Naito of course takes his time with his entrance attire. ZSJ says go ahead, he’s got time. Fans rally already, “NA-I-TO!” “Z S J!” as Naito goes even slower now. Naito throws the jacket to ZSJ, but ZSJ says no thanks and he throws it out of the ring. Fans still rally as Naito throws his shirt to ZSJ, but again ZSJ says no thanks. Naito then throws him the belt, but ZSJ puts that aside. Naito fakes throwing the pants, but he just puts it around ZSJ like a scarf. ZSJ BOOTS Naito! ZSJ fires off stomps, the bell rings, and the ref reprimands as ZSJ digs his boots in. ZSJ shoves the ref then digs his boots in again!

The ref reprimands, ZSJ really shoves the ref this time, and he stomps Naito over and over! ZSJ drags Naito up, whips, but Naito holds ropes to block. ZSJ wrenches the arm, EuroUppers and whips, but Naito slides out to slow this down. Fans fire up as ZSJ chases Naito back into the ring. Naito arm-drags ZSJ, kicks him and whips him to a corner. Naito runs in but ZSJ dodges. Things keep moving but Naito atomic drops to then RUNNING JACKKNIFE! TWO, ZSJ has the sunset flip, TWO! Naito sits on the prawn hold, TWO! ZSJ pops Naito around to drag him into another sunset, TWO!! Naito escapes and fans are shocked!

Naito gets up, he hooks ZSJ, spins him, but ZSJ avoids the enziguri! Body scissors and EURO CLUTCH, TWO!!! Naito escapes again and ZSJ is furious! ZSJ runs in but into an elbow! ZSJ wrenches the arm to PELE it, but Naito ENZIGURIS! Naito whips, ZSJ reverses but Naito leaps! ZSJ scoops, Naito knees free, spins ZSJ around to a snapmare and cradle! NAITO WINS?!?!

Winner: Tetsuya Naito, by pinfall (gains 2 points; ZSJ earns 0)

Naito gets the ultimate revenge on ZSJ by not beating him down, but beating him quickly! ZSJ’s head is still spinning, and he throws a fit! He kicks railing, he throws the timekeeper’s table and even takes the chairs! ZSJ gets in the ring with a chair but Naito gets out of there! ZSJ continues to rampage as he SMACKS the ring post with the chair, then goes after the table with the chair! He DECKS Young Lions, and he SLAMS the bell! Naito keeps poking the bear by offering ice packs! Naito even throws one like a baseball, and ZSJ SMACKS it with the chair!

ZSJ realizes he played baseball with Naito and is even more upset! He rips up railing on his way out! Will ZSJ ever live this one down? As for Naito, will he make the most of this opportunity and take the whole Climax?

G1 Climax 32, B Block: Tomohiro Ishii VS SANADA!

Unfortunately, this is the one match that has no affect on the Climax! But pride is still important, so will the Stone Pitbull get one more win? Or will the Cold Skull finish strong?

The bell rings and fans rally already with “SA-NA-DA!” “I-SHI-I!” The two approach, tie up, and Ishii headlocks. Sanada powers out, things speed up and Sanada goes the other way, but Ishii avoids the boot. Sanada waistlocks, Ishii standing switches and shoves Sanada to a corner. Ishii runs in but Sanada dodges, only for Ishii to dodge him back. Ishii avoids another boot, but Sanada avoids the forearm to waistlock again. Sanada also ducks the back elbow, but Ishii returns the favor as he avoids a forearm and back elbow. Ishii swings but into a full nelson, and Sanada uses that to spin Ishii around. Ishii wrenches out of the facelock to swing again!

Sanada dodges to waistlock, but Ishii switches. Sanada switches again, pushes Ishii to ropes and gets the DEEP O’Conner Roll! TWO!!! We almost had another fast one! Both men have to check to be sure, and yes, it was only two! Sanada swings on Ishii but into a BIG back suplex! Fans fire up as both men are down! Fans rally up and Ishii looms over Sanada. Ishii drags Sanada up, CLUBS Sanada down, then drags him back up to CHOP off his feet! Ishii eggs Sanada on as he stands over him, then drags him up again. Ishii CHOPS Sanada again, and CHOPS again, and CHOPS again! Sanada fires a forearm but Ishii doesn’t budge!

Sanada keeps throwing forearms but Ishii eggs him on! Ishii leans into the shots and corners Sanada. Sanada keeps throwing forearms, but Ishii CHOPS and JABS on repeat! Fans fire up and the ref counts but Ishii sits Sanada down with those shots. Ishii eggs Sanada on while fans rally up. Ishii gives Sanada some toying kicks and Sanada fires up! Sanada fires forearms and Ishii feels these, so Ishii HEADBUTTS back! Ishii brings Sanada around, suplexes, but Sanada slips out to waistlock. Ishii elbows free, runs, but Sanada hurdles, hurdles and DROPKICKS! Fans fire up while Ishii bails out, and Sanada PLANCHAS!

Ishii avoids the hit and kicks Sanada. Ishii suplexes, but Sanada fights free! Sanada suplexes Ishii and has him draped on the apron! MAGIC SCREW! Fans fire up while the ref checks on Ishii. Ishii is okay to continue somehow, and Sanada drags Ishii up. Sanada puts Ishii in the ring and he encourages fans to cheer louder. The fans reach the right volume and Sanada goes to the apron. Sanada aims as Ishii rises, springboard MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Fans still rally and Sanada keeps focus. Sanada drags Ishii up, fireman’s carries, but Ishii fights free! Ishii has the dragon sleeper! But Sanada spins around, only for Ishii to suplex!

Fans fire up while both men are down again. Ishii and Sanada both growl as they sit up, and Ishii runs in at Sanada, but Sanada elbows him away. Sanada QUEBRADA but Ishii gets under to run Sanada over! But Sanada stands back up! Sanada gets around to back suplex! But then Ishii stands up! Sanada ROCKS Ishii, but Ishii roars! Ishii ROCKS Sanada, but Sanada ROARS! Sanada EuroUppers, but Ishii GERMAN SUPLEXES! Fans fire up while both men are down again! They rally up as Sanada and Ishii stir, and Ishii stands first. Ishii drags Sanada up, reels him in, and POWER- NO, Sanada fights the bomb off!

Ishii ROCKS Sanada but Sanada DROPKCISK! Ishii comes back but Sanada avoids the sliding forearm! Sanada runs to BASEMENT BLOCKBUSTER, and then roll through to the MAGIC SCREW!! Fans are thunderous as Sanada drags Ishii back up. Fireman’s carry, T K O!! Cover, TWO!! Ishii is still in this but Sanada vows to end it! Sanada drags Ishii up into the dragon sleeper, and SKULL END! The body scissors are locked in and fans rally as Ishii endures! Ishii moves around, reaches out, but he’s fading! Ishii gets a second wind to grab at Sanada, but that goes out fast! Sanada lets go to go up top, ROUNDING BODY FLOP!!

Ishii moves just in time and now both men are down again! Fans rally back up as Ishii stirs. Ishii goes to a corner as Sanada slowly rises. Fans rally “I-SHI-I!” “SA-NA-DA!” Ishii runs in, but Sanada ROCKS him with a forearm! Ishii HEADBUTTS back! Sanada SOBATS, then dragon sleepers! Ishii fights with haymakers but Sanada DREAM SMASHER ELBOWS! Then ROLLING ELBOWS! Then RUNNING ROLLING- ENZIGURI! Ishii takes Sanada down and he roars as fans fire back up! Ishii waits on Sanada, then he runs the ropes, LARIAT! Cover, TWO!! Sanada survives but Ishii just roars again!

Ishii drags Sanada back up, suplexes, but Sanada knees free! Sanada swings, but into a nelson, then a spin, but Sandaa shoves free. Sanada follows Ishii, tilt–whirls and dragon sleepers! But Ishii spins through to suplex, only for Sanada to SATELLITE DDT! But Ishii’s back up?! SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO, to the ghost pin! TWO!!! Sanada can’t believe how close that was! The fans are thunderous again, Ishii runs in but into a full nelson! Ishii breaks that but Sanada chicken wings. Ishii mule kicks a leg out, runs back in, but Sanada gets the full nelson! Sanada then shifts to a cravat, to SHIRANUI, into the SKULL END!!

Ishii endures, spins through, but Sanada wrenches out! Ishii HEADBUTTS again! Ishii runs, but into an O’CONNER BRIDGE! TWO!?!? Ishii escapes by nanoseconds! Sanada is frustrated but the fans are thunderous again! Ishii and Sanada stand, run in, and Sanada fireman’s carries, to throw Ishii into the dragon sleeper! But Ishii fights to a full nelson, for a DRAGON SUPLEX! But Sanada stands back up!! Sanada runs to ROLLING ELBOW! And then TIGER SUPLEX! But Ishii rises?!? Ishii runs, into a DROPKICK! But he comes back to LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!!!! Ishii is roaring and the fans are electric!

Ishii suplexes Sanada, BRAINBUSTER!! Cover, Ishii wins!!

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

The Cold Skull could not tame the Stone Pitbull, and he finishes flat even! Will he have to try harder next time? Will Ishii also rebound from his 2-4 finish to be stronger next year?

G1 Climax 32, B Block: Tama Tonga w/ Jado VS Jay White w/ Gedo!

It all comes down to this! The winner here will advance without dispute! Will the Good Bad Guy get the ultimate revenge by spoiling the “Jay1?” Or will he have no choice but to Breathe with the Switchblade?

Tama wants after Jay now, but the ref has Tama wait for the bell. Jay and Gedo Too Sweet, and then the bell rings. And of course White bails out. White waits for Tama to back off to slide in, but then Tama DROPKICKS White down! And OFF COMES THE VEST! Tama is serious as he stomps and punches White in the corner! The ref counts, Tama lets off at 4, but rushes back in. White kicks low, returns all those stomps and punches, then he CHOPS! Tama just glares at White! Tama turns things back around for more forearms and stomps in the corner! Tama whips corner to corner, White bounces off buckles and into Tama’s back drop!

Fans fire up as White bails out again. Tama pursues and puts White back in. Tama rushes in, dodges White’s haymaker and back drops again! Fans rally behind Tama as he aims at the corner. Tama runs in but White bails out again. Gedo protests but Tama goes out to fetch White. Tama throws hands, then tells Gedo to stay the hell away. Jado also has his eyes on Gedo as Tama fireman’s carries White. White flails, claws Tama’s face, then POSTS Tama! Gedo laughs at Tama and applauds White, but fans rally for “GOOD BAD GUY!” White drags Tama up, brings him around and APRON GOURD BUSTERS!

Tama flops back to the floor and Gedo grins. White stretches out his back and then goes back to Tama. White drags Tama up, puts him in the ring, and takes his time stalking Tama to the corner. Tama kicks back, but White CLUBS the leg and EuroUppers! White RAMS his shoulder in, then HALF HATCHES into buckles! White drags Tama to a cover, TWO! Tama is still in this and White is annoyed. White and Gedo argue the count but the count is fair. Fans rally for Tama, White drags him up in the sleeper! Tama fires elbows, White waistlocks and SAIDOS! White flexes while Gedo cheers, and White says this is why he’s the champion. Cover, TWO!

White is almost amused, but he says he has a special gift now. Tama slowly rises and White gives him a Too Sweet CHOP! And another CHOP! White whips but Tama holds ropes! Tama eggs White on so White gives him more and more CHOPS! Tama eggs White on more, so White digs his fingers into Tama’s face! Then CHOP, CHOP and CHOP! Tama sits down, White drags him back up and whips him corner to corner. Tama comes back to CLOBBER White! Fans fire up as both men are down! Tama nods as he gets up, and he rallies on White with clotheslines and elbows! Then a scoop SLAM! Fans fire up more as Tama paces around.

White gets to a corner, Tama runs in, STINGER SPLASH! To a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Tama keeps cool and fans rally again. Tama paces around, drags White back up and throws down elbows. Tama CLUBS White more, then dragon sleepers. White fights free of that, but Tama EuroUppers him right down! White goes to the apron but Tama is after him. White HOTSHOTS Tama away! White storms in, but Tama fireman’s carries! White rakes eyes again, then hits a DDT! Both men are down and fans rally up again. Tama gets to a corner but White runs in, to EuroUpper! And then suplex for BLADE- NO, Tama slips out to dragon sleeper!

But White slips around to suplex and BLADEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! White is frustrated and he stares Jado down. Fans rally up, White drags Tama back up, and he reels Tama in. Tama fights the Urenage to SUPERMAN- COMPLETE SHOT! White drags Tama into the deadlift GERMAN SUPLEX! Gedo is all fired up as White says, “Like a baby.” White drags Tama up by an arm while the fans rally again. White reels Tama in but Tama fights the Urenage! So White throws KNEE after KNEE into the gut! UREN- VENENO!! Tama takes White down with the DDT and fans rally again as Tama and White stir.

Tama stands up, he drags White up, but White swings a chop! Tama ducks it, fireman’s carries, but White slips off to CHOP! Tama ENZIGURIS! White goes down but Tama gets him into the fireman’s carry! S R C! Gedo is freaking out as Tama goes up the corner! SUPREME FLOW!! Cover, TWO!! White survives and Gedo is relieved! But Tama and Jado pound the mat! Fans clap along but White crawls to Gedo. The ref tells Gedo to get off the apron! Jado drags Gedo down! Jado keeps Gedo down while still pounding the mat! White stands, GUN- NO, White fights that off to URENAGE! Both men are down again and fans fire back up!

White shakes out his arm, crawls over to Tama and brings him back up. Fans rally as White wraps on the sleeper! Tama backs White down into a corner! White holds on to put Tama in the corner and RAM his shoulder in again and again! The ref counts, White stops at 4, and he drags Tama out and into the sleeper! But Tama throws elbows! White holds on to SNAP SLEEPER SUPLEX! White doesn’t stop there, he slashes his throat and drags Tama up! BLADE- NO, Tama gets the dragon sleeper, and the TONGAN TWIST!! Fans are thunderous as Tama paces and takes aim! GUN- NO, still no stun! White reels Tama in, BLADE-

NO, Tama slips around to BLOODY SUNDAY!! Shoutout to the original Bullet Club leader! Cover, TWO!!! Tama is shocked but he vows to finish this off! Tama drags White up, reels him in and underhooks, but White fights that off with a back drop! Tama staggers up into BLADE- NO, Tama cradles! TWO!! White stands up, into GUN- NO, White SLAMS Tama down!! White drags Tama back up, for a SNAP SLEEPER SUPLEX! And then the clinch for BLADE- NO, Tama slips free! GUN- NO!! White stays up! White pushes Tama away, but Tama comes back to GUN STUN!!!! Cover, TAMA WINS!!!

Winner: Tama Tonga, by pinfall (gains 2 points; White earns 0)

Gedo can’t believe it, but the Jay1 falls apart at the end!! The Good Bad Guy is moving on into the semifinals, will he take the whole thing and head to WrestleKingdom?

G1 Climax 32, A Block: JONAH w/ Bad Dude Tito VS Bad Luck Fale!

After crushing the Rainmaker but losing to the Murderhawk Monster, the Top Dog is a dark horse in this block! He must win, as must Archer, but will the Rogue General blow up Jonah’s chances? Or will the Grenade be no match for the Torpedo?

The bell rings and fans rally up as the giants stare down. They step forward, stare down some more, then step forward again. Jonah throws the first forearm! Fale stays up and he throws a forearm back! Jonah throws another, and fans applaud, and Fale throws another! Fans rally up as Jonah throws a heavier shot, and then Fale throws another! Jonah eggs Fale on, throws another forearm, and Fale wobbles! Fale THROAT CHOPS! Red Shoes reprimands but Jonah sputters. Fale runs, but Jonah BODY CHECKS him out of the ring! Jonah then pursues, FLYING SHOULDER off the apron! Fale is sent into railing while fans fire up!

Jonah warns Chase Owens on English commentary, but then Fale runs Jonah over! The Crown Jewel ended up a good distraction, and Fale CLUBS Jonah on the back. Jonah staggers away and Fale stalks him. Fale throws heavy body shots, follows Jonah to the ramp, then throws even more body shots. Red Shoes tells Fale to get this in the ring but Jonah throws body shots in return! Jonah ROCKS Fale with a forearm and Fale leans against the apron. Fans rally up again as Jonah CLUBS Fale. Jonah pulls on Fale’s ear, then HEADBUTTS him! Fale leans against railing and fans rally up more as Jonah brings him around.

Fale throws heavy body shots and forearms! Jonah staggers away, Fale brings him up and whips him, but Jonah reverses to POST Fale! The ring manages to stay put, but Jonah runs in! Fale moves and Jonah POSTS himself! The ring count finally starts while both men are down on the outside. Fans rally up, we’re at 8 of 20 as Jonah gets back up. Fale goes to the ring at 13 of 20 but he doesn’t get in. Jonah staggers, flounders, and both giants get in at 19! Fans applaud as the match continues! Jonah goes to a corner and Fale runs in to SPLASH! Jonah wobbles, Fale runs in to SPLASH again! Jonah flounders again and Fale runs in to SPLASH again!

Fale goes corner to corner and he runs in, but Jonah dodges! Fale hits buckles, Jonah SUPERKICKS! Then Jonah SPLASHES Fale in return! And SPLASHES again! Fans rally up as Jonah keeps moving, and he SPLASHES a third time! Fale falls over and fans fire up with Jonah! Jonah goes corner to corner, but Fale SPEARS him down! Fans fire up again as both giants are on the mat! Fale drags himself up the ropes, storms over to Jonah, and he runs to drop an elbow! Cover, TWO! Jonah is still in this but Fale prepares his best weapon! Fale choke grips but Jonah kicks free to DDT! Cover, TWO! Fale survives that supersized DDT but Jonah snarls.

Fans rally up again and Jonah drags Fale up. Jonah reels Fale in, but that’s way too much weight to lift like that! Fans rally as Jonah keeps trying, but that just hurts his own back. Jonah brings Fale up, LARIATS point-blank, then runs to LRAIAT again! Fale staggers but stays up! Jonah runs in, ducks the lariat, but not the choke grip! GREN- NO, Jonah ducks to HEADBUTT! Jonah runs to LARIAT Fale down! Fans are thunderous as Fale rises again. Jonah scoops and SLAMS Fale!! And then Jonah drags Fale to a drop zone and climbs up the corner! TORPEDO!!! Cover, Jonah wins!!

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

The Top Dog is the top monster in the G1! But he isn’t the top of the block! Will a miracle happen to allow him to advance?

G1 Climax 32, A Block: Kazuchika Okada VS Lance Archer!

In the end, the main event will determine it all! When it’s win and you’re in, will Okada make it rain? Or will Archer prove that no matter how great you are, no matter your legacy, #EverybodyDies?

Archer spares the Young Lions because he is laser focused on one target tonight. Archer even stays put as Okada makes his entrance. It’s almost like he’s meditating. Fans rally up already as Red Shoes does his check. The bell rings and Archer still doesn’t move. Okada circles around him, wondering what Archer’s strategy really is. Okada steps up to Archer, Archer looks at Okada, and then Archer choke grips! CHOKE SLAM!! Was it all just to lure Okada in!? Fans fire up as Archer fires up, and then Archer tells them to shut up. HELLICOASTER! Okada is dazed while Archer looms over him. Fans rally up as Archer drags Okada back up.

Archer says Okada’s time is over, but Okada throws a forearm. It doesn’t do much to Archer, and Okada drops to a knee over the damage he’s taken. Okada stands up to throw another forearm, but Archer taunts him! Fans rally up, Okada EuroUppers, runs, but into the DERAILER! Fans fire up as Archer snarls and Okada flops out of the ring. Archer goes out to fetch Okada, sit him up against railing, and then RAM Okada’s head against the railing! And again! And again! Archer digs his knee into Okada, tells Red Shoes to shut up, and then Archer goes to the far side. Fans rally as Archer runs in at full speed to CANNONBALL against railing!!

Fans are thunderous as Okada gets squashed by Archer! Archer then DECKS a Young Lion and drags him over. Archer scoops the Young Lion to SLAM onto Okada! Red Shoes isn’t even sure what to make of that! Fans continue to rally as Archer drags Okada up. Archer brings Okada to the ring, laughs and lifts for an APRON- NO, Okada lands on his feet! Okada kicks Archer, but Archer trips Okada! Okada crashes down, and Archer BOOTS a Young Lion! Archer’s rage is building and he’s taking it out on everyone around! Fans rally up while Red Shoes says to get this in the ring. Archer glares at Chase Owens and Chase backs up.

Archer wants El Desperado on Japanese commentary to tell fans that there will be no more Okada! Desperado says okay, no more Okada, only the Murderhawk Monster. Archer drags Okada up and into the ring, then he stomps away! Fans rally up, “O-KA-DA!” “LANCE ARCH-ER!” Archer stands Okada up to CLUB and CLUB and then SMACK off buckles. Archer knuckle locks and goes up the corner to give us some Old School! Into a MOONSAULT! Direct hit! Cover, TWO!! Archer is furious but Red Shoes says two is two! Archer drags Okada up, reels him in to scoop, but Okada slips off to ripcord and RAINMAKER!!

Fans fire up while both men are down! Okada hit his best move but he can’t capitalize from all the damage done by Archer. Archer and Okada stir and push themselves off the mat. Okada crawls to ropes and drags himself up. Archer choke grips again, but Okada DROPKICKS free! Okada ducks the lariat to DROPKICK again! Fans fire up, Okada goes to scoop but Archer’s too big! Archer scoops Okada but Okada slips off and shoves Archer to a corner! Then he scoops to SLAM Archer down! Fans fire up while Okada catches his breath. Okada goes to a corner and climbs up top, for the MACHO ELBOW! And of course, the Rainmaker Pose!

Fans fire up as Okada reels Archer in. Ripcord and- NO, Archer ducks the lariat to full nelson! Archer spins Okada around but Okada uses that to get a cradle! TWO and Okada stands up to uppercut! Okada runs, but into Archer’s DROPKICK?! Archer drags Okada up, ripcords, and steals RAINMAKER!! Cover, TWO!?! Archer can’t believe it but Okada survives! Archer drags Okada back up, puts him in a corner, and hoists him up top. Archer ROCKS Okada, then brings him out with the inverted crucifix! BLACKOUT BOMB!!! Cover, TWO!?!? Into a GHOST PIN! TWO!!! Okada survives but Archer escapes, all by mere nanoseconds!

Fans are electric while Archer seethes. Archer looms over Okada and stalks him to a corner. Archer taunts Okada, laughs at him, and then runs corner to corner and back again, BIG back elbow! Okada doubles over but fans rally up again. Archer drags Okada up, hoists him back up top, CHOPS him, then pats him on the face. Archer SLAPS Okada, tries the crucifix again, but Okada fights free to CHOP BLOCK! And then Okada gets the arm for the MONEY CLIP!! Archer endures and fans rally up as Okada squeezes tight! Archer already looks pretty red, but he gets a second wind! Archer rises up and snapmares free!

Okada rushes in, gets around, spins and DISCUS LARIATS! Archer rebounds to LARIAT Okada down!! Fans are thunderous as Archer watches Okada from the corner. Okada sits up in another daze, and Archer says “F YOU, OKADA!” But he runs into a DROPKICK! Archer stays up!! And he runs back in, into a scoop?! AND LANDSLIDE!! Okada ripcords for the RAINMAKER!!! Cover, Okada wins!!

Winner: Kazuchika Okada, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Archer earns 0)

The Murderhawk Monster falls, and both his and Jonah’s runs are done! But in the end, Archer respects Okada and Okada respects Archer, so they fist bump. Will both Archer and the Top Dog have to try again next year?

As for Okada, he catches his breath and gets the mic. “Everyone here today, thank you for your red hot support. There’s just two days left in G1 Climax 32. However, we can still get even hotter! This isn’t all that the G1 Climax has to offer. And if you don’t think that we can bring even more fire, than you aren’t really a pro-wrestling fan!” Fans applaud that sentiment, and Okada continues to say that everyone here, your red hot support is multiplied by the power of the wrestlers, and that equals the best G1 Climax ever! So let’s finish this strong, with even more hot, hot, hot support!

Okada thanks the fans then drops the mic. Will the Rainmaker be able to do this all over again tomorrow in the semifinals? Or will another take the Climax in the end?

Here are the current standings!

A Block

Kazuchika Okada: 5-1, 10 points [SEMIFINALIST]
JONAH: 4-2, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
Lance Archer: 3-3, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Tom Lawlor: 3-3, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Jeff Cobb: 3-3, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Bad Luck Fale: 2-4, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
Toru Yano: 1-5, 2 points [ELIMINATED]

B Block

Tama Tonga: 5-1, 10 points [SEMIFINALIST]
Jay White: 5-1, 10 points [ELIMINATED]
SANADA: 3-3, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Chase Owens: 2-4, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
Great-O-Khan: 2-4, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
Taichi: 2-4, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
Tomohiro Ishii: 2-4, 4 points [ELIMINATED]

C Block

Tetsuya Naito: 4-2, 8 points [SEMIFINALIST]
Zack Sabre Jr: 4-2, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
Hirooki Goto: 3-3, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
KENTA: 3-3, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Hiroshi Tanahashi: 3-3, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
EVIL: 3-3, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Aaron Henare: 1-5, 2 points [ELIMINATED]

D Block

Will Ospreay: 4-2, 8 points [SEMIFINALIST]
Shingo Takagi: 3-3, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
YOSHI-HASHI: 3-3, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Yujiro Takahashi: 3-3, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
El Phantasmo: 3-3, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
David Finlay: 3-3, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Juice Robinson: 2-4, 4 points [ELIMINATED]

My Thoughts:

What an awesome way to wrap up the round robin this year! Now, it is a shame that not every block could mathematically work to bring drama into all eight matches, but all eight matches were still awesome. The blocks going in reverse alphabetical order was a logical scheduling choice, and it helped keep the energy moving because the story of each block stayed fresh in our minds. Ospreay VS Juice was a great opener with how fast and furious it all went, and Takagi VS ELP was even stronger for how it had to follow that. Ospreay being the semifinalist when he’s also got to be in the States for AEW this Wednesday is wild, but I do appreciate that NJPW isn’t going to change their plans, even for a partner promotion. I just wonder if Ospreay will be able to properly compete on both shows.

Goto VS Evil was great stuff but of course Evil and Dick cheat to win, and that screwed Goto over hard. But that was of course going to happen to put the drama back on Naito VS ZSJ. And while I had a feeling Naito would win, I did NOT expect things to go down like that. ZSJ was doing so well this G1, but then Naito snatches it away right here. But ZSJ’s violent tantrum was still great stuff, very Minoru Suzuki-esque. And maybe ZSJ still has a route to his first singles title in NJPW. There’s still a long road to Wrestle Kingdom, so maybe ZSJ finds a way in.

Ishii VS Sanada was the only match tonight that didn’t affect their block, but that was still an awesome match between them. A shame Sanada didn’t win but it would’ve also been rough if Ishii went 1-5. Again, there are a lot of moving parts and a lot of titles to go around, both these guys can try for something between now and Wrestle Kingdom. Tama VS White was awesome, practically a title match in itself, and it was the right choice for Tama to win. Even if Tama doesn’t win the tournament, Tama has the golden ticket to be one of White’s challengers on the road to Wrestle Kingdom, and maybe White gets his revenge there, or maybe Tama shocks us all and wins the big one.

Speaking of big, Jonah VS Fale was a great match for two guys as big as them. They were perhaps playing up the slug fest, and the ref really let their brawl on the outside have time to breathe. But in the end, it made sense for Jonah to win to put the drama back on Okada VS Archer. I don’t know if Jonah’s math was right, but according to him, if Archer had won, we would’ve had three guys at 4-2, and Archer’s win over Jonah before wouldn’t have outright made him the semifinalist. Honestly, a Triple Threat of Archer, Okada and Jonah to perhaps open tomorrow’s show would’ve been cool, but it makes sense NJPW wants a clear winner in each block.

Okada VS Archer had a great start with that trap of Archer’s, but in the end, of course Okada wins. Okada VS Tama, Ospreay VS Naito, that is quite the final four.

My Score: 9.2/10

Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

Up Next

Mitchell’s AEW Dark Results & Report! (8/16/22)

Don't Miss

Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (8/15/22)

Coverage

Mitchell’s Road to Wrestling Dontaku Results & Report! (4/27/24)

Rural Revitalization continues!

Published

6 hours ago

April 27, 2024

Steven Mitchell

Will Great-O-Khan be setting the table?

It’s Rural Revitalization in Hiroshima for the KOPW Championship! Can Yuya Uemura survive tires, lemons and a table? Or will Great-O-Khan conquer him for the United Empire?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Frontier Zone – Boltin Oleg & Toru Yano VS Rey Paloma & HANZO; Oleg & Yano win.
Six Man Tag: Tiger Mask & Bishamon VS Bullet Club; Bullet Club wins.
Zack Sabre Jr. & Kosei Fujita VS Jeff Cobb & Francesco Akira; Cobb & Akira win.
Six Man Tag: El Desperado, Shota Umino & Tomohiro Ishii VS The House of Torture; Desperado, Shota & Ishii win.
Hiroshi Tanahashi & Katsuya Murashima VS Tomoaki Honma & Shoma Kato; Tanahashi & Murashima win.
DOUKI & Taka Michinoku VS SHO & Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Sho & Yoshinobu win.
NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships: TMDK VS El Phantasmo & Hikuleo; TMDK wins and retains the titles.
KOPW Championship Rural Revitalization: Great-O-Khan VS Yuya Uemura; Yuya wins and becomes the new KOPW Champion.
10 Man Tag Elimination Match: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Bullet Club War Dogs; LIJ wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships: TMDK w/ Zack Sabre Jr. VS El Phantasmo & Hikuleo w/ Jado!

Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls snatched the titles away during the Windy City Riot, but the Guerrillas of Destiny are getting their rematch! Will the Headbanga & Young Guerilla redeem themselves on the Road to Wrestling Dontaku? Or will they see The Mighty Don’t Kneel?

The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see if The Mighty stay NJPW Strong!

The teams sort out and Hysterical Haste starts against ELP. The fans rally up with the bell and the two circle. They tie up, are in a deadlock, but then Shane cording holds into a wrench and wristlock. ELP rolls, handsprings and wrenches back. ELP keeps Shane from ropes so Shane rolls, kips up, snapmares and KICKS ELP! The fans cheer while Shane shakes out his leg. ELP grimaces as he stands and shakes out the arm. The two reset, tie up, and ELP waistlocks. ELP goes for a chinlock but Shane standing switches. ELP switches, Shane switches again, and repeat. ELP headlocks, Shane powers out, then reels ELP in for a headlock.

ELP powers out, Shane runs him over, and then he sits ELP up to run. ELP drops under, hurdles over, but Shane shoves him. ELP rolls off Shane’s back to RANA! The fans fire up as ELP kips up and fixes his hair. The fans rally for “E L P! E L P!” while Shane is in a corner. Shane comes back to fire a forearm! ELP fires a forearm back! Shane fires another forearm so ELP gives it back. They go back and forth, faster and faster, and the fans rally up! ELP gets the edge, but Shane UPPERCUTS! Shane CHOPS ELP, whips him corner to corner, but ELP goes up and over and keeps moving. ELP fakes Shane out to avoid the dropkick!

ELP goes to ropes to LIONSAULT but Shane moves! ELP sits up but avoids the Penalty Kick! The two stand off and the fans cheer! Shane and ELP reset, and Leo reaches out. ELP tags him in and the fans rally up. Shane tags Mikey, and he circles with Leo. They get face to face, and Mikey pie faces Leo! They tie up, Leo shoves Mikey away, but Mikey comes back. They tie up, Mikey headlocks but Leo lifts. Mikey thrashes the hold, Leo powers out and they RAM shoulders! Leo eggs Mikey on so Mikey runs and they RAM shoulders! Leo runs, Mikey ELBOWS him! Mikey runs, Leo runs him over! The fans fire up as Leo flexes.

Leo drags Mikey up, suplexes, but Mikey fights it! Mikey tries to suplex but Leo’s so tall! Leo suplexes, Mikehy slips free to waistlock, but Leo RAMS him into a corner! Leo runs in, Mikey dodges, only for Leo to LARIAT outta the corner! Tag to ELP and the Guerrillas get Mikey up. ELP BLASTS Shane while Leo whips Mikey to a corner. Leo SPLASHES, ELP clotheslines, then feed to the SIDEWALK SLAM and FALLING AX HANDLE! The Guerrillas high-five, ELP covers, TWO! ELP brings Mikey up but Mikey fights the suplex! Mikey powers out, whips, but ELP BLASTS Shane! ELP dodges Mikey, waistlocks, but Mikey swings. ELP ducks, into a DDT!

The fans fire up while Mikey shoves ELP over and tags in Shane. Mikey brings ELP up to TOSS him out, and then Mikey BLASTS Leo! Shane whips ELP into railing! Shane flexes, fans applaud, and Shane drags ELP up. APRON BACK SUPLEX! Shane shoves ELP in, covers, ROPEBREAK! The fans rally as ELP stays in this but Shane grabs one of ELP’s hands. Shane stretches out the arm to then KICK ELP in the shoulder! Shane brings ELP up but ELP fires forearms! Shane shoves ELP but ELP ELBOWS Mikey! ELP fires off on Shane, whips, but Shane reverses and Mikey trips ELP up! Shane basement dropkicks ELP and he spins around into a HAYMAKER from Mikey!

ELP flops to the floor, Mikey claims the apron is slippery, but the referee reprimands him all the same. The ring count starts but Mikey puts ELP in at 4 of 20. Shane covers, TWO! Shane keeps ELP down with body scissors. ELP endures, reaches out, drags Shane along as he crawls over, and the fans rally up. Shane grabs ELP’s arm and brings him into a cover, TWO! Shane whips ELP away into The Mighty corner! Tag to Mikey, he sends Shane in, but ELP puts Shane on the apron! ELP BOOTS Mikey, ROUNDHOUSES Shane, then runs, but Mikey catches him! Mikey RAMS ELP back into the corner!

Mikey taunts Leo then digs boots into ELP. The fans rally up and ELP throws body shots. Mikey eggs ELP on so ELP CHOPS! ELP tries to get under but Mikey grabs a leg and drags him back! Tag to Shane, and Shane stomps ELP down. Shane kicks ELP around, kicks him more, but ELP fires off hands! Shane back drops ELP up and away! The fans rally while Shane drags ELP back to a cover, but Leo breaks it! Shane drags ELP back, tags Mikey in, and TMDK mug ELP. ELP sputters, Mikey tags Shane back in, and Shane sucker punches Leo! Mikey hoists ELP up but ELP BOOTS Shane! ELP backs Mikey into the corner, then goes up and over Shane!

Shane runs into Mikey but Mikey still pursues ELP. Mikey drags ELP back but ELP ENZIGIRIS free! The fans fire up, but Shane gets ELP’s legs! ELP BOOTS Shane away, hurries up again, but Mikey BLASTS Leo first! Mikey then brings ELP around to back suplex! ELP lands on his feet, but Shane back suplexes! ELP still lands on his feet, then he ducks under TMDK to hot tag Leo! The fans fire up as Leo UPPERCUTS Shane, swings on Mikey, but Mikey dodges, only for Leo to BOOT him! Leo scoops Shane for SNAKE EYES and a BOOT! The fans fire up with Leo while Shane and Mikey go to opposite corners.

Leo runs in to SPLASH Mikey! Leo keeps going but Shane BOOTS him! Shane runs up but Leo ELBOWS him down! Leo runs to drop the JUMPING ELBOW on Shane! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up and Leo watches Shane stir. Shane rises, Leo choke grips! GODS- NO, Shane slips free and Mikey fires a forearm! Shane UPPERCUTS, Mikey LARIATS, but Leo stays up! Shane runs to LARIAT! Leo roars, but TMDK double kick! TMDK reels Leo in, but Leo DOUBLE SUPLEXES them instead! The fans fire up and Leo watches TMDK bail out. Leo tags ELP and ELP goes up. Leo helps him walk the tightrope, to ARIHARA MOONSAULT TMDK down at the ramp!

The fans fire up again, and Leo goes out to get Shane in. ELP & Leo get Shane up to CHOP, straitjacket torture rack, and then Leo runs. BOOT into the spin, BRAIN SALAD! Cover, Mikey breaks it! Mikey fires forearms on Leo & ELP, runs, but ELP hurdles so Leo can DDT! Mikey bails out, the fans fire up, and ELP tunes up the band. Shane rises, into SUDDEN- NO, Shane dodges! Shane runs up, but into Leo’s hands! ELP aims, but Shane pulls Leo into SUDDEN DEATH! Shane UPPERCUTS ELP and DROPKICKS Leo! Shane KICKS ELP, BOOTS him, then reels him in for an INVERTED EXPLODER! Cover, TWO!!

ELP survives and Shane is surprised! The fans fires up, Shane and ELP rise, and ELP staggers to a corner. Shane puts ELP up top, ROCKS him with a right, then climbs up. Shane brings ELP up but ELP fires body shots! ELP HEADBUTTS Shane down but Mikey tags in! Shane goes up, ELP sends him back down, so Mikey UPPERCUTS! Mikey gives Shane the boost, and they get ELP for the SUPERPLEX BOMB COMBO! Cover, TWO!! ELP survives but Mikey powers up and runs, SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO!! ELP survives again and the fans fire up! Mikey grows frustrated, he drags ELP up and reels him in.

ELP slips free of the Blue Thunder to kick and tuck the arms! But Mikey trips ELP to jackknife bridge, TWO! ELP rolling clutches! TWO and Mikey has the cover! TWO and ELP ghost pins, TWO!! Mikey escapes but ELP dodges! ELP DROPKICKS Mikey down and the fans fire up! Both men crawl, hot tag to Leo! Leo runs to BLAST Shane, then he turns to look at Mikey. Mikey eggs Leo on, then fires forearms! Leo ROCKS Mikey with just one! Mikey fires another flurry, but Leo ROCKS Mikey again! Leo eggs Mikey on and the fans rally. Mikey kicks low, ROCKS Leo, then runs, but into a scoop! Tag to ELP before the POWERSLAM!

ELP goes up to SWANTON BOMB! And then LIONSAULT! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up, ELP tags Leo back in, and they tune up the band again! Mikey rises, but Shane trips Leo! Mikey ROCKS ELP, Shane UPPERCUTS ELP! Feed to the scoop but ELP slips free! ELP shoves Mikey into Shane, and Leo grabs them both! But both Shane & Mikey fight free of the choke slams! Shane KNEES, Mikey FOREARMS, but then ELP fires off on TMDK! ELP runs, but into a double trophy lift! THUNDER- DOUBLE DDTS!! ELP turns things around on TMDK, and the fans are thunderous! Mikey stands up into SUDDEN DEATH! ELP PLANCHAS onto Shane!

GODSEND for Mikey! ELP then climbs up the ropes, then climbs onto Leo! SUPER THUNDERKISS 86!! Cover, but Shane barrels through ELP to break it!! The fans are thunderous again but ELP is frustrated. ELP fires off on Shane, runs, but Shane LARIATS! Shane dodges Leo but runs into the POWER TRIP! GOD- NO, Mikey rolls Leo up!! TMDK WINS!!

Winners: TMDK, by pinfall (still NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions)

Leo is furious! He is sure Mikey pulled tights there! He stomps at Mikey, pushes past ELP and goes after Mikey on the outside! Mikey and Leo push each other around, but there’s nothing Leo can do about this one. Will he and ELP just have to fight their way back up to the top? As for TMDK, will they continue to rock ‘n’ roll through the ranks with all this gold?

KOPW Championship Rural Revitalization: Great-O-Khan w/ Callum Newman & Francesco Akira VS Yuya Uemura w/ Taka Michinoku & Taichi!

It’s Rural Revitalization 2: Hiroshima Style! The Dominator just managed to make it past Tanga Loa, will he make it through the Heat Storm? Or will KOPW soon belong to Just5Guys?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who can put in the work!

This first round is Mazda tire carrying. Each man has a big orange cone placed in their corner, so they simply have to go fetch the tires from the stacks outside. Whoever gets four tires first wins the round! The bell rings, Yuya kicks Khan then heads for ropes, but Khan reels him in for a BIG back suplex! Khan goes out now, hurries up the ramp, and grabs two tires at once! The fans cheer and Khan gets those tires in the ring. Then he goes back for more! A risky move but that means four tires are on play. Yuya DROPKICKS Khan and here’s where the risk is involved! Yuya aims to PLANCHA but Khan chucks a tire!

Yuya falls back, Khan gets the tires in then drags Yuya out. Khan CLUBS away on Yuya against the apron, then uses a tire to bind Yuya’s legs! Khan CLUBS Yuya more, and Khan even ties Yuya up in the ropes! Khan sacrifices two tires to trap Yuya! The fans cheer the creativity, and Khan STOMPS Yuya on the apron before heading for more tires. Yuya works to get free as Khan brings two more tires to the ring. Khan sets those tires in, Yuya gets free, but Khan has stacked two tires. Then three, but Yuya DROPKICKS him down! Yuya takes the tires off Khan’s cones, leaving him with just one. Yuya goes out to get the last tires remaining!

Yuya brings tires to his cone, then clears out some space. Yuya has two tires, steals Khan’s one, but then Khan grabs Yuya for an IRON CLAW SLEEPER! Yuya fights free, but Khan Mongolian Chops him down! Khan throws the tires off Yuya’s cone, then throws the cone! We’re back to zero and zero, and Khan whips Yuya into a corner, to then clothesline him! The fans fire up as Khan climbs up and sits on his throne! Khan then hops down to Mongolian Chop! And Mongolian Chops! And Mongolian CHOP! Yuya sits down, Khan takes a tire, but then THROWS it at Yuya! Yuya goes up and over and AX HANDLES Khan down!

The fans rally as Khan grabs tires and cone, and he starts stacking! Yuya has two, then three! He just needs to find one more! Yuya grabs one from outside, but Khan reels him in! Khan DECKS Yuya, then undoes some of the stack. Khan confiscates a tire, makes sure it’s nice and bouncy, but also works up quite the sweat. The fans rally as Khan aims and takes a swing, only for Yuya to counter tire with tire! They clash again, and again! Then they set up for TIRE SUMO! And again, TIRE SUMO! They run in again, and Khan RAMS Yuya! Yuya is disarmed, and Khan CLOBBERS him with the TIRE SUMO!

The fans fire up while Yuya is down and Khan grabs tires. Khan says he’s not done with Yuya yet. Khan starts stacking tires at the center of the ring, then drags Yuya up. Khan clinches Yuya into HITSUJIGOROSHI! Yuya endures, even as Khan throws knees! Khan then scoops to SLAM Yuya on the tires! That’ll leave some skid marks! Khan then drags Yuya off the stack, brings him up and around, to then put a tire around his head. And then another! Yuya’s two tired to stand but Khan makes him! Khan throws a BODY BLOW, then he TRIPS Yuya into a TIRE DDT! The fans fire up while Khan grabs the other tires.

Khan stacks tires on his cone, that’s two. Khan hurries to find other tires on the outside, and he has a third. Khan considers his options, and takes one of the tires from Yuya. But Yuya clings to the tires, so Khan stomps him! Yuya refuses to let go of the tires! Khan stomps Yuya more but Yuya defends the tire with his body! Khan claws at Yuya, they tug-o-war over the tire, but Khan pulls on Yuya’s ear! Yuya kicks low, kicks again, then SMACKS Khan with the tire, and DROPKICKS Khan down! The tire goes tumbling out of the ring while Yuya fires up! Yuya takes Khan’s tires, hurries them over to his cone, that’s three right there!

Now Yuya has to hurry and find another! Yuya goes outside, grabs the tire, but Khan intercepts! They tug-o-war again, but then Khan RAMS Yuya into a corner! Khan takes this tire, that’s one. Khan finds tires on the outside and brings them in! Yuya hurries to cover tires again! Khan stomps Yuya, still stacks three, so it’s all down to this seventh tire! Yuya and Khan tug-o-war yet again, the fans rallying behind them! Khan grabs Yuya’s arm, but Yuya slips around to a SLEEPER! Khan fights up but Yuya squeezes tight! Yuya then CLUBS away on Khan, runs, but into a TIRE SWEEP! And a BASEMENT DROPKICK!

Khan grabs the final tire, but Yuya schoolboys him away! Yuya rolls through, snatches the tire, and complete his stack! Yuya wins the first round!

Khan: 0; Yuya: 1

Just like with Tanga Loa, Khan drops the ball in the first round! But then, will history repeat itself here as we prepare for the second round?

The tarps are set down, the table is set, and it’s time to eat up some Hiroshima lemons! Khan makes sure the people watching at home and around the world understand that Hiroshima lemons are the best, which probably means they’re the most sour. Khan puts on his bandana and takes his seat at the table. He and Yuya get some wet wipes to clean their hands, and it all comes down to who finishes their one lemon first. Ready, set, EAT! Yuya starts fast and that face shows how sour these are. Khan says hold on, and he just takes a HUGE bite! Yuya is suffering but Khan is reveling in the sourness! Khan’s already halfway through!

Yuya can barely keep the lemon in, but Khan’s eaten it all up! Can he get it all down before Yuya? Khan is chewing and chewing, Yuya is practically shaking from how sour it all is! Khan keeps going and… Yes, Khan has it all down! Khan wins!

Khan: 1; Yuya: 1

Khan now lets his body feel the stinging sweetness, and he says it was delicious! But then, that leaves us with this third and final round. And this time it’s a TABLES match! Who will be feeling sour and sore after this one?

The bell rings, both men rush in, Yuya dodges to fire haymakers! Yuya whips, Khan reverses but Yuya CLOBBERS him! Khan gets up, but Yuya DROPKICKS him down! Khan bails out, Yuya aims and PLANCHAS! Direct hit at the ramp, and the Heat Storm fires back up! The table is there, so Yuya drags Khan right up! Yuya goes to suplex but Khan blocks! Khan fights with body shots, turns things around, but Yuya fights the suplex! They fight for control, but Khan RAMS Yuya into the apron! The fans rally, Khan drags Yuya back up, and whips him into railing! Yuya tumbles up and over into No Man’s Land!

Khan storms out after Yuya and he asks fans move aside. Young Lions help the fans clear out while Khan drags Yuya up. Khan brings Yuya around and reminds everyone, No Disqualifications! Khan BOWLS Yuya through chairs, and that’s definitely a strike! The fans cheer Khan as he stands on chairs, but then asks more fans to move aside! Khan stomps Yuya, stomps a chair onto Yuya, then tosses that chair aside. Sorry to whoever had that seat… Khan then drags Yuya up and brings him around, but Yuya throws body shots! Khan Mongolian Chops Yuya down! Khan drags Yuya back up, and BOWLS him into more chairs!

Yuya is stuck on the seats, that wasn’t quite a strike. But Khan stacks chairs on Yuya to pick up the spare. Khan SMACKS chair with chair! Yuya sputters while fans applaud, and Khan goes back to fetch Yuya. Taichi and Taka are there but so are Newman and Akira. The Empire keeps the two out of five guys at bay while Khan drags Yuya to the back of the crowd. Khan whips Yuya into the emergency exit! Khan then SLAMS railing down on Yuya, and then SMACKS railing with railing! Khan talks trash while Taka and Taichi coach Yuya up. The ref checks Yuya, but he’s somehow able to continue, so Khan drags him up.

Khan brings Yuya around to drag him through the chairs! Khan brings Yuya back to ringside, then into the ring. The fans applaud, and then Khan goes looking under the ring. Khan eventually finds another lemon! Khan takes a big bite and uses the citrus to power up! Then he DIGS the lemon into Yuya’s face! The citric acid burns but the fans fire up! Khan goes to fetch the table from outside, puts it inside, and then sets it up in a corner. The fans rally up as Khan stalks Yuya. Khan drags Yuya up, reels him in to scoop, but Yuya slips free! Khan avoids hitting table, but Yuya DOUBLE CHOPS! Yuya whips Khan into the blue corner, then DOUBLE CHOPS again!

The fans fire up and Yuya grits his teeth. Yuya roars, brings Khan up and reels him in for a BIG back suplex! The fans rally again and Yuya brings Khan up. Yuya clinches, but Khan fights the lift! Yuya still tries, but Khan fights it to a head ‘n’ arm clinch. Yuya gets around, headlocks, but Khan pops out to waistlock. Yuya fights being pushed around, then switches to get an arm. Khan clinches but so does Yuya. They fight for control, and Khan’s SAYANAGI takes Yuya down! The fans fire up and both men stir. Yuya flops out of the ring, but Khan crawls in pursuit. Khan drags Yuya up, then RAMS him into railing!

Yuya writhes, Khan goes looking under the ring, and he brings out another TABLE! Khan SMACKS Yuya with the table, then stands the table up at ringside. Khan drags Yuya up, SMACKS him off the apron, then climbs up. Khan drags Yuya up onto the apron, Mongolian Chops, then regular CHOPS! Khan UPPERCUTS, then clamps on the IRON CLAW! Khan scoops but Yuya fights free! Yuya DROPKICKS! Khan holds onto ropes to stay up, but Yuya hurries to run! Yuya LARIATS, but into the IRON CLAW!! Khan drags Yuya up and over, ELIMINATOR- NO, Yuya grabs ropes to fight that off! Khan kicks low, winds up, but Yuya traps the arm!

Yuya traps the other arm, takes aim, but Khan fights the Deadbolt with all his might!! The fans are thunderous as Yuya still tries! Khan BITES Yuya’s ear! And then POSTS him! But Yuya runs up, into a BOOT! Yuya falls back, Khan sits down, and the fans rally again! Khan undoes his hand tape, ends up pushing the table over, and then he folds it all up. Khan puts the table in the ring, pushes Yuya aside, and then he sets this table up again, in the blue corner. Yuya goes up top to CROSSBODY! The fans fire up as Yuya roars! Yuya has his choice as he hauls Khan up. Yuya traps the arms, but Khan makes it a BELLY2BELLY!

But Yuya rises back up! Yuya runs in, gets around, and GERMAN SUPLEXES! But Khan’s right up! Khan LARIATS Yuya down! The fans fire up as Yuya is right back up, and URENAGES! Both men are down again and the fans are thunderous! Khan flounders around, he and Yuya crawl to center, and Yuya fires a forearm! Khan gives it back! Both men stand, and Yuya fires a haymaker! Khan comes back to forearm! Yuya wobbles, but he comes back to HAYMAKER! Khan staggers, wobbles, but comes back to FOREARM! Both men stagger, but Yuya fires another haymaker! Khan fires a flurry of forearms, but Yuya haymakers!

Khan ROCKS Yuya, but Yuya DOUBLE CHOPS! And DOUBLE CHOPS! And DOUBLE CHOPS! But Khan throws an IRON RIGHT! The fans fire up again as Yuya falls! Khan roars with Monster Rage and he hauls Yuya up! IRON CLAW, and then ELIMIN- NO, Yuya slips free! Yuya wrenches, traps the arms, DEADBOLT SUPLEX through the table!! YUYA WINS!!

Winner: Yuya Uemura, 2-1 (NEW KOPW Champion)

Yuya slammed the Deadbolt shut on Khan and now he takes the title from him! The Heat Storm is rising, how hot will he make the KOPW Division through the Summer?

10 Man Tag Elimination Match: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Bullet Club War Dogs!

These factions have been battling all over this Road to Wrestling Dontaku, but now they will fight ’til the last man! Will there be a roll call for Bushi, Hiromu, Takagi, Yota y Naito? Or will this alliance with the Good Looking Emperor, Jake Lee, help David Finlay, Gabe Kidd, Clark Connors & “Drilla” Dan Moloney shoot down LIJ?

Wait, it seems Naito has brought backup of his own? It’s SLYLY! The dragon-like mascot of Hiroshima Toyo Carp, and half-brother to the Philadelphia Phillies’ Phillie Phanatic! Well, Naito does love him some baseball. Tensions are running high, and Finlay throws his shirt at Yota. Yota balls that shirt up, and throws a fastball over the plate! The teams sort out, Finlay pushes Yota around and Gabe talks trash on Takagi. Red Shoes gets them all to settle down, and the War Dogs bark and put up the Too Sweet. Jake joins in at the end there. LIJ mocks the barking before they fist bump, and the fans cheer.

Things finally sort out and Finlay starts against Yota. The fans fire up behind “YO~TA! YO~TA!” at the bell, and Yota makes sure Finlay hears that. Finlay gets on the corner but the fans all boo. The two circle, tie up, and Yota uses his size to put Finlay on ropes. Finlay turns that around to grind forearms in Yota’s face and push him around. Finlay then backs up to SPIT at him! The fans boo but Yota CHOPS Finlay in return! The fans cheer, Yota headlocks, and Yota grinds Finlay down. Finlay powers up and out to headlock back, but Yota powers up and out. They RAM shoulders, Yota rebounds to run Finlay over!

The fans fire up, things speed up, but Finlay bails out. The fans boo but Finlay says he’s got time. Yota barks at Finlay but Finlay just mockingly applauds. Finlay returns, kips up just to show off, but then Hiromu wants in! Yota tags Hiromu, Finlay tags Drilla. Hiromu fires forearms on Drilla, whips, to ROCK, trip, KICK the ropes, then run and SHOTGUN Drilla down! The fans fire up while Hiromu barks. Hiromu runs corner to corner to clothesline, snapmare and basement dropkick! The fans fire up but Connors runs in to knee Hiromu low! Connors barks, runs, but Hiromu kicks low! Bushi dropkicks legs out so Hiromu can basement dropkick!

The fans fire up but Drilla fires hands and CHOPS on LIJ. Hiromu CHOPS back, he and Bushi double whip to TU LO SABE! Cover, TWO! Drilla stays in this but Hiromu fires Hiroshima up. Hiromu fireman’s carries, but Drilla slips free to RAM Hiromu into the corner! The Dogs mug Hiromu while Jake Lee runs up to BLAST Naito! Finlay and Connors help out in mugging Yota and Bushi! Things have pilled out into the crowd in multiple areas while Naito fights back! Jake kicks Naito, then whips him hard into railing! Naito tumbles up and over into No Man’s Land! Gabe and Takagi throw HEADBUTTS back and forth!

Finlay snatches a phone? He’s taking pictures of Jake stomping away on Naito! But then Yota attacks Finlay! Finlay POSTS Yota, a ring count starts, but the Dogs just keep beating LIJ down! Drilla finds his way back to ringside, Hiromu manages to make his way in! Hiromu crawls in at 17 but Drilla is there to stomp him! Drilla bumps Hiromu off Finlay’s boot! Drilla tags Jake in, they mug Hiromu, and Jake digs his boot in while Finlay pulls Hiromu’s hair! Red Shoes is busy getting everyone to stop brawling! Jake lets off but Hiromu fires off CHOPS! Jake just kicks low, whips, and then HIP TOSSES Hiromu down!

Hiromu staggers up but Jake clamps on a SLEEPER! Tag to Finlay and they mug Hiromu in the corner. Red Shoes reprimands and counts, the fans boo, and Finlay lets off at 4. Finlay soaks up heat, then he takes Hiromu’s Kamaitachi mask and THROWS it to the crowd! Finlay then BLASTS Yota off the apron! The Dogs CHOKE Hiromu more, mug him while Finlay argues with Red Shoes, then Finlay brings Hiromu up. Finlay fireman’s carries and goes to dump Hiromu! Hiromu clamps onto ropes, Bushi runs in to make the save! Connors goes after Bushi so Takagi makes the save! But Connors goes after Takagi now!

Finlay puts Hiromu on the apron but Hiromu rolls back in, SAFE! The fans cheer while Finlay is frustrated. Finlay storms up on Hiromu in a corner but Hiromu CHOPS and CHOPS! Finlay knees low, whips corner to corner hard, and Hiromu flounders all the way back to where he started! Finlay drags Hiromu up and over, the fans still cheering him on, but Connors tags in. Connors BLASTS Naito off the corner, then snap suplexes Hiromu down! Connors runs to ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Hiromu stays in this but Connors stays on him with a seated full nelson. The fans continue to rally for “HI-RO-MU!” as he endures!

Hiromu fights around, even as Gedo barks at him to give up. Hiromu still gets the ROPEBREAK! Finlay pushes the foot away and that distracts Red Shoes, allowing Drilla to join in and stomp Hiromu! Drilla & Connors double whip but Hiromu gets around to lift Connors and throw him at Drilla, FORCED RANA! The fans fire up but Connors keeps Hiromu away from his corner! Hiromu blocks a kick, and a punch, to DRAGON SCREW! The fans rally again while both men are down! Hot tag to Naito! Naito rallies on Connors, BLASTS Drilla, swings on Jake, but Jake gets away. Connors CLUBS Naito, whips, but Naito reverses to arm-drag!

Naito atomic drops, runs, and ELBOWS Connors down, to then basement dropkick! The fans fire up while Naito stares Jake down. Naito covers Connors, TWO! The fans rally, Naito drags Connors up and dragon sleepers, for the NECKBREAKER! And then, LEG HOOK NELSON! Connors endures but Gabe stomps Naito! Gabe BLASTS Takagi, the rest of the Dogs attack, and Gabe stomps away on Naito! Gabe tells off the fans but the fans boo. Red Shoes reprimands so Gabe steps away, and Connors drags Naito up. Connors UPPERCUTS, whips, but Naito reverses to TORNADO- NO, Connors powers out!

Connors dodges Naito, redirects and POUNCES! Naito is down but the fans rally up. Naito and Connors crawl, hot tags to Takagi and Gabe! The fans fire up for the NEVER Openweight Championship appetizer! They RAM shoulders, Takagi ROCKS Gabe then runs to RAM him! Gabe rebounds to RAM Takagi, but Takagi rebounds to RAM Gabe! Gabe fires a forearm, whips Takagi to a corner then runs in to clothesline! Takagi says that’s not enough, so Gabe UPPERCUTS! Gabe says he’s a madman, then whips, only for Takagi to reverses. Takagi runs in, blocks a boot, and clotheslines through! The fans fire up with Takagi, but Gabe shoves him!

Takagi kicks and CLUBS away on Gabe, but Gabe BITES Takagi’s forehead! Red shoes reprimands, but Takagi spins Gabe around to suplex high and hard! Cover, TWO! Gabe’s still in this but the fans rally behind “TA-KA-GI!” Takagi looks around, “Oi, Hiroshima! TOKI GA-” NO, Gabe CLOBBERS Takagi! It isn’t his time yet, and Gabe stands Takagi up to HEADBUTT again and again! Then Gabe suplexes high and hard! Cover, TWO! Takagi’s tougher than that but Gabe shakes his head. Gabe scuffs Takagi, eggs him on and runs, but Takagi blocks the Rebounder to HEADBUTT! Gabe HEADBUTTS! Both men shake their heads, and then Takagi HEADBUTTS!

Gabe HEADBUTTS! Takagi HEADBUTTS again and again, but then Gabe HEADBUTTS again and again! Takagi fires a forearm, Gabe gives it back, repeat! The fans fire up as the shots go back and forth! Gabe gets the edge, but Takagi fires boxing elbows! Gabe CHOP! Takagi ELBOWS! JABS! Gabe UPPERCUTS and YUKON LARIATS! But Takagi’s right up to LARIAT!! Gabe rises and shouts! Both men run in, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! And again! Gabe fires palm strikes, talks trash, but gets a JAB, HEADBUTT, and a PUMPING BOMBER take takes both men up and out! DOUBLE ELIMINATION!!

Fans go wild as Takagi’s sacrifice play makes things 4v4! Bushi and Drilla jump in and Drilla fires off shots! Drilla ENZIGIRIS, ripcords, but Bushi dodges to RANA! And DROPKICK! Drilla bails out but Bushi builds speed, only for Connors to SNAP POWERSLAM! Drilla gets in, he and Connors get moving, SPEAR GORE COMBO!! Cover, TWO!! Bushi survives but the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions coordinate. Connors BLASTS Naito off the apron before he climbs a corner, and Drilla gets Bushi up. Drilla suplexes, but Bushi slips free! Bushi shoves Drilla into Connors, then runs back in to CODE-

NO, Drilla blocks and aims for ropes! Bushi slips free, dodges Drilla, but Drilla ducks the enzigiri, only for the REWIND HEEL to hit! Bushi whips Drilla up and out and to the floor, Bushi ELIMINATES Drilla! We’re 4v3 in LIJ’s favor, but then Connors SPEARS Bushi! Connors says this is it, and he reels Bushi in for- NO! Bushi turns No Chaser into a backslide! BUSHI ROLL! Bushi ELIMINATES Connors!! The Black Mask singlehandedly handles the tag champs and the fans fire up! But then Finlay CLOBBERS Bushi and rains down fists! Finlay roars in rage, then he drags Bushi up. Canadian Rack, but Bushi slips free to backslide!

Finlay rolls through to UPPERCUT! Jake BLASTS Naito, BLASTS Yota, and then Finlay gets Bushi up! Finlay POWERBOMBS Bushi to the outside, onto Naito and the rest! Finlay ELIMINATES Bushi! We’re back to 3v2 as Finlay still has Jake but LIJ still has Naito, Hiromu and Yota. And speaking of Yota, he gets in to brawl with Finlay! Yota whips, Finlay reverses but Yota flipping RANAS! Then he BLASTS Jake! Yota runs corner to corner to STINGER SPLASH Finlay! Yota keeps moving, he runs Finlay over to then run and SPLASH! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up with Yota as he smiles and paces around.

Yota brings Finlay up and fireman’s carries, but Finlay slips free. Yota kicks, runs, but Finlay ELBOWS him down, then SENTONS on top! Finlay barks as he aims at Yota. Yota rises, Finlay runs in, and UPPERCUTS at the corner! Then clotheslines! Then FALCON ARROWS! Cover, TWO! The fans rally for Yota but Finlay grows frustrated. Finlay drags Yota up, reels him in, but Yota fights the lift! Finlay CLUBS away on Yota, tries again, and he has Yota up, but Yota fights free of the bomb! Yota fires forearms, but Finlay UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS again! Finlay runs, but Yota backslides to KNEE Finlay down!

The fans fire up again as we pass 20 minutes, and Yota drags Finlay up. Yota goes up and up but Finlay shoves him over! Yota’s on the apron, he and Finlay brawl! Yota ROCKS Finlay, but Finlay gets in Red Shoes’ face! Jake grabs at Yota, Yota kicks him away, but Finlay BLASTS Yota down and ELIMINATES him! The fans boo but the Dogs have made this 2v2! Finlay and Jake stand together, and they dare Naito & Hiromu to join them. Naito and Hiromu oblige as they step inside. Naito stares Jake down, Hiromu stares Finlay down, and they start swinging! The fans fire up, but then Finlay fireman’s carries Hiromu! Finlay aims for ropes!

Naito gets past Jake to save Hiromu, but then Jake BOOTS Naito down! Jake scrapes Naito out of the ring and goes after him, but Hiromu fireman’s carries Finlay! Hiromu runs at ropes and dumps Finlay out! Finlay stays on the apron but Hiromu SUPERKICKS! Finlay holds onto ropes and wobbles, but Hiromu builds speed! Hiromu DIVES and SUNSET FLIPS, but Finlay still holds on! Finlay throws down hands, gets back inside, he’s SAFE! Hiromu is also safe because he went through the second rope. Hiromu runs back in, but avoids Blue Thunder to wheelbarrow! But Finlay turns that into an IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER!

Hiromu writhes, the fans rally as hard as they can behind him, but Finlay drags Hiromu up. DOMINATOR! Cover, Naito breaks it! Jake stomps Naito and TOSSES him out! It was all second rope so Naito’s safe, but Finlay talks trash on Hiromu. Finlay drags Hiromu up, reels him in, suplexes, but Hiromu slips free! Finlay UPPERCUTS, and UPPERCUTS, and UPPERCUTS! Flashback to the 23rd! Hiromu just takes UPPERCUT after UPPERCUT from Finlay, but he doesn’t stop! Then he SUPERKICKS! Hiromu runs, but into another UPPERCUT! Finlay gets Hiromu up, but Hiromu RANAS Finlay up and out to ELIMINATE him!!

The fans are thunderous as The Rebel is shocked! Hiromu mocks him, but then Jake runs in! Hiromu gets under the boot to get under Jake! Jake fights Hiromu off, snarls, and then runs up! Hiromu dodges to kick a leg! Hiromu runs, but Jake kitchen sink knees! Jake takes aim, runs up, and FACE BREAK SHOT! Hiromu tumbles up and out and to the floor, Jake ELIMINATES him! And now, at 25 minutes in, we’re down to just Jake and just Naito! Naito slowly rolls into the ring as the fans rally behind him. Jake watches Naito stand, and the two stare down. Jake runs in but Naito dodges to fire off forearms!

Naito whips but Jake reverses to KNEE low! Jake fires up but fans boo as he stands Naito up. Jake reels Naito in for a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Naito protects the plate but Jake is aiming another heater! Jake waits as Naito stands, then winds up to choke grip! But Naito throws back elbows to get free! Naito then wrenches, TORNADO DDT! The fans fire up again while both men are down! Naito rises, he drags Jake up, and he throws those heavy back elbows! Jake crawls around, Naito brings him up, and Naito throws more heavy back elbows! Jake wobbles and staggers to the corner but Naito is right on him.

Naito brings Jake around for even more heavy back elbows! Jake falls over, the fans fire up, and Naito aims from the corner. Naito drags Jake up and in, but Jake BOOTS Naito down! Naito dangles off the apron! Red Shoes keeps the War Dogs from interfering, and Naito stands up. Jake aims, runs in, but Naito avoid the FBS! Naito drags Jake ot the apron, Jake elbows him back! Jake runs up, but into an ELBOW! Naito goes up and over, sweeps the legs, then BASEBALL SLIDE DROPKICKS! Jake falls, LIJ wins!!

Winners: Los Ingobernables de Japon, Naito as the lone survivor

It came down to the bottom of the ninth, technically speaking, and Naito just hit the walk-off homer! Jake is stunned and Finlay is frustrated, but Yota just smiles back at him. Finlay and Yota will have it out as part of Wrestling Dontaku Night One, who will be smiling then?

As for LIJ, they regroup in the ring and have their hands raised. Slyly’s even still hanging around! But uh, he’s a little too chunky to get in the ring, so he just settles for pumping up the crowd like he does at baseball games. Naito gets the mic to say that it was three months ago, the Splash Strong series back in January, since Naito was last in Hiroshima. Naito would like to thank the fans from coming here tonight, “Gracias, amigos.” The fans cheer, and Naito continues by saying, “Hiroshima is my second home. I really long to have a match at Mazda Stadium.” The fans love the sound of that!

Naito does preface that him saying that doesn’t mean there’s anything planned. So please, tranquilo, be patient, and look forward to the day that finally happens. So, shall they do it? The fans cheer again! So then, for the first time in Hiroshima Sun Plaza Hall in a year and eight months, is everyone ready? The fans cheer because they sure are! Well then, the only way to close The Road to Wrestling Dontaku here in Hiroshima… Bushi! Hiromu! Takagi! Titan! Yota! Slyly! Y Naito! NOSOTROS! LOS! INGOBERRRRNABLEEEES~! DE! JA! PON!! Slyly gets in on the roll call! Will all of LIJ have success as we reach Wrestling Dontaku next week?

My Thoughts:

A great event to conclude Road to Dontaku before getting to Wrestling Dontaku itself. An unfortunate change in the card, Sanada fell ill and could not compete, so his match alongside Taichi against Tanahashi & Tomoaki was changed into Tanahashi and a Young Lion VS Tomoaki and a Young Lion. Hopefully Cold Skull gets well soon. Great tag title match from TMDK VS GoD, and while I figured TMDK was going to retain, I didn’t think it’d be in a shady way like holding tights. While ZSJ VS Cobb for the NJPW World TV title is still to come, I doner of GoD shift gears and ELP becomes a singles guy so Leo and Loa can team up. Then ELP can challenge ZSJ in a battle of initials while the Brothers Guerrilla get to take on Shane & Mikey.

Great Rural Revitalization again, they managed to pull off great comeback spots each round. I was very surprised Yuya won out, I felt like Khan could’ve done one more Rural Revitalization before losing. But at the same time, Yuya feels like the unofficial fourth Reiwa Musketeer behind Narita, Shota & Tsuji. Yuya getting a title, any title, ahead of the others is good stuff for him, and could even bring about a feud with one of the Musketeers for the Summer. And then a great 10 Man Elimination Tag. I again really like that NJPW allows over the rope eliminations even in a tag match like this to really mix things up. Jake Lee not winning out for the War Dogs is really surprising, but I feel like that means Jake will defeat Naito 1v1.

My Score: 8.9/10

Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

AEW Coverage

Mitchell’s AEW Rampage Results & Report! (4/27/24)

Trent Beretta’s on a Rampage!

Published

9 hours ago

April 27, 2024

Steven Mitchell

It’s a violent end to a legendary friendship!

Former Best Friends, Trent Beretta & Chuck Taylor, have been through many Parking Lot Brawls, but this is their first time as enemies! Will there be broken bones to go along with the broken hearts?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Parking Lot Brawl: Trent Beretta VS Chuck Taylor; Trent wins.
Thunder Rosa VS Deonna Purrazzo; Rosa wins.
“Big Bill” Morrissey VS Trevor Blackwell; Bill wins.
Katsuyori Shibata & Daniel Garcia VS Shane Taylor Promotions; Shibata & Garcia win.

PLAY BY PLAY

Parking Lot Brawl: Trent Beretta VS Chuck Taylor!

Years of friendship, thrown away, and why? Because #JustTrent had a problem with Freshly Squeezed having more success in AEW than them? Because #JustTrent had a problem with Cassidy as a person? Because #JustTrent turned out to be the selfish one in the relationship? Well, then will #JustTrent get his ass kicked? Or will he take advantage of how Chuckie T. is a Kentucky Gentleman?

Trent stares Chuck down while we hear the crowd of other wrestlers taunting him. Trent takes a swing, but Chuck dodges to fire off hands! The brawl is on, and Chuck gets the edge! Chuck ROCKS Trent, then SMACKS him off a car hood! And then off the car door! Chuck drags Trent up, but Trent RAMS Chuck into the car! And throat chops him just because! Trent gets space, runs back in, but Chuck dodges so Trent hits the passenger door! Chuck gets a trash can lid and he stands Trent up. Trent jumps through the open window but Chuck drags him back out. Trent kicks low, and he gives Chuck a CAR HOOD BACK SUPLEX!

Trent grabs the trash can lid, SMACKS Chuck right in the head and Chuck falls down! The crowd boos but Trent opens a car trunk to bring out a trash can, a dustpan and a baseball bat! Chuck storms up but Trent CHUCKS the trash can into Chuck’s face! Chuck flounders and Trent smirks. Trent SMACKS Chuck with the trash can, CLUBS him around, and Chuck is busted open! The white car has red polka dots on it now, and Trent talks trash, “This is what you wanted?!” Trent runs up, but Chuck POP UP POWERBOMBS Trent onto a car hood! Trent writhes, Chuck staggers around, and Chuck brings Trent around.

Chuck headlocks Trent before he SMACKS him off another car door. Trent goes around the back and then up onto a truck! Chuck follows, and he CLUBS Trent in the chest! But Trent slips under, and he CLAWS Chuck’s bloody face! Trent DECKS Chuck and Chuck falls through drywall sheets! Trent looms over Chuck as he crawls out of the wreckage. Trent stalks Chuck, brings him around and SMACKS him with the trash can lid! Trent hoists Chuck onto a car roof, SMACKS him again, then goes back to the truck. Trent climbs onto the roof of the truck, to FLYING ELBOW from car to car! Cover, TWO!!

Trent is furious, but Chuck is still in this as Rampage goes picture in picture.

Trent fumes, paces around, and goes back to the goodies. He brings out… Is that a screwdriver?! And he JABS Chuck in the head with it!! And then he DIGS it into Chuck’s forehead!! As if he wasn’t already bleeding badly!! Trent leaves Chuck behind, to fetch what looks to be a flat screen TV. Then he brings out a wood door!? Did someone visit Home Depot before coming here? Chuck CHOPS Trent in return then fires haymakers! Trent CLAWS Chuck’s face! Trent grabs that TV and CHUCKS it, only for Chuck to duck it! Rampage returns as TV screen hits windshield! Chuck kicks low to snap suplex Trent through the door!!

The crowd is losing its minds as Trent crawls. Chuck gets Trent’s legs, to CATAPULT him into the truck’s tailgate!! The crowd fires up while Chuck gets a sinister look on his face. Chuck takes a piece of that drywall to SMASH it on Trent! Chuck gets that trash can, he SMACKS Trent with it! Chuck sees the pile of extra goodies nearby, and he uncovers some light tubes! But first, he’ll clean up the mess, he SMACKS Trent with the dust pan! And SMACKS him again and again! And then one more shot with the trash can! Trent writhes, but Chuck drags Trent up. Chuck SMACKS Trent off the tailgate, then clears some space.

Chuck climbs up, but Trent ROCKET LAUNCHES him onto the light tubes!!! The tubes shatter under Chuck’s back! Trent sputters, he’s bloody now, too. Trent puts Chuck against the car hood and stands on him! Trent soaks up the heat, but Chuck TRIPS Trent! Trent writhes, Chuck reels Trent in, Canadian Rack, RAZOR’S EDGE onto a windshield!! Trent writhes while fans chant “HOLY CHUCK!” Chuck covers Trent on the hood, TWO!! Trent survives and hurries around the back of this sedan. Chuck snarls, goes up after Trent, and they meet on the roof. They’re both so bloody as they fire forearms back and forth!

The crowd cheers Chuck and boos Trent, and as the two swing wild, they end up HUGGING! You GOT to give the people what they want, right? They stand, Chuck ROCKS Trent and reels Trent in, but Trent LOW BLOWS!! Trent has Chuck now, PILEDRIVER ON THE CAR ROOF!!! And then, SNAKE BITE!! Trent is choking Chuck out!!! Chuck IS out, Trent wins!!

Winner: Trent Beretta, by submission

The Best Friends tore each other apart, but it is #JustTrent that stands tall in the end. He’s clearly lost the respect of his peers given how the other wrestlers are chanting “You Suck! You Suck!” But wait, Trent isn’t done? He has a monkey wrench!? Cassidy & Kris step forward to say no, this is going too far! Trent says this is all Cassidy’s fault! And SMASH, Trent hits Chuck’s leg with the wrench, and even shatters the glass behind it!! Chuck clutches the already recovering leg, and now Cassidy wants after Trent! Kris stops Cassidy, Trent’s still got the wrench! Trent escapes into the shadows of the arena, what darkness is living in Trent’s heart?

Don Callis is watching this.

And he seems to like the sadistic savagery he just witnessed. Trent may not have Best Friends anymore, but could he end up with a whole new family?

Backstage interview with Kyle O’Reilly.

Arkady Aura is with #CombatKyle and brings up his impressive showing in Dynamite’s Casino Gauntlet this past Wednesday. But we all want to know, what is next for her? Well, on Saturday, May 11th, AEW is coming to his hometown! Collision in Vancouver, British Columbia! The Rogers Arena, the same building an 11-year-old Kyle saw his first wrestling show ever. And at that show, Kyle told his dad that he was gonna do this one day. Papa O’Reilly said, “Oh yeah, sure you will, kid.” But somehow, Kyle pulled it off. 25 years later, he’s coming back home to do the one thing he’s ever been good at and that’s wrestling.

Kyle is going to take on the best wrestlers this world has to offer, right here in AEW, where the best wrestle. Kyle is ready for a fight, who will take him up on that in two weeks?

Thunder Rosa VS Deonna Purrazzo!

La Mera Mera and The Virtuosa could not coexist in the race for the AEW Women’s World Championship, and now they will Rampage against each other! Who will stand tall, ready for another shot at the title?

The bell rings and the fans rally up. Deonna and Rosa step up, talk a little trash, then Deonna pie faces Rosa! Rosa swings but Deonna catches the arm! Rosa avoids the takedown to knee low! They tie up again, go around and around, and Deonna puts Rosa in a corner. The ref counts, Rosa powers her way out but Deonna headlocks. Rosa powers up and out, but Deonna RAMS her! The two stay up, Deonna eggs Rosa on then kicks her low! Deonna whips, Rosa blocks the hip toss, but then Deonna blocks a hip toss! Rosa avoids the lariat to DECK Deonna! Rosa rains down fists but the ref reprimands.

Rosa sits Deonna up, clamps on a COBRA CLUTCH, and she grinds Deonna down. The fans rally but Deonna fights up. Deonna throws hands, then wrenches, but Rosa breaks free. Deonna BOOTS Rosa, then has the arm for the ARMBAR DDT! Deonna dusts herself off as she paces, then she KICKS Rosa’s arm. And KICKS it again! Rosa goes to ropes, Deonna pushes her down and ties her up in Paradise! Rosa is stuck, Deonna soaks up the cheers and jeers, and then runs to DROPKICK Rosa out of Paradise! Deonna stands Rosa up but Rosa ROCKS her first! Deonna stands, Rosa RAMS into her then bumps her off buckles.

Rosa goes up and up to leap, but Deonna blocks the rana and has a BOSTON CRAB! They’re in the ropes, the ref counts, and Deonna lets go. Rosa crawls to the corner, Deonna paces while soaking up the heat. Rosa stands, builds speed, and she WERCKS Deonna with a dropkick! Rosa fires up despite the pain in her back, and she kicks Deonna. Deonna stands, Rosa CHOPS her against the post! And CHOPS her again! Deonna ducks, Rosa chops post! Deonna SUPERKICKS Rosa down, and Rampage goes picture in picture.

Deonna steps on Rosa’s face, steps away, and Rosa staggers up to railing. Deonna storms up but Rosa kicks her low. Rosa then runs Deonna side to side to POST her! But then Deonna RAMS Rosa into apron! And SMACKS her off it! Deonna snarls, brings Rosa around, and she puts Rosa in the ring. Cover, TWO! Deonna clamps onto Rosa to pull her arms in, for a straitjacket stretch! Rosa endures, fights up, but Deonna turns that into a BACKSTABBER! Cover, TWO! Rosa is still in this, and she is feeding off the energy of the fans! Rosa stands, and she ELBOWS Deonna! And body shots! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS again!

Rosa has Deonna in a corner to UPPERCUT! Rosa runs corner to corner and back again, but Deonna dodges! Rosa POSTS herself and falls to the apron! Deonna storms back over, brings Rosa up and wraps the bad arm against ropes! The ref counts, Deonna KICKS the ropes as she lets off, and Rosa clutches the elbow. Deonna returns but Rosa RAMS into her! Deonna CLUBS Rosa, has her in a corner, and HEADBUTTS the lower back as Rampage goes to break.

Rampage returns and Deonna runs in, but into an ELBOW! And then a BOOT! Rosa goes up to MISSILE DROPKICK! The fans fire up with Rosa as she rises up! Deonna runs in, Rosa dodges to fire forearm after forearm! Deonna shoves, Rosa ENZIGIRIS! Rosa runs, to SHOTGUN BOOT! Deonna flounders to ropes, Rosa pounds the mat and the fans rally again. Rosa runs side to side to DROPKICK again! Cover, TWO!! Deonna toughs it out while Rosa shakes out her arm. Rosa drags Deonna up, but Deonna SOBATS! Deonna runs to KNEE LIFT and RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Deonna wants the Fujiwara but Rosa rolls free!

Deonna BOTOS Rosa down, covers, TWO! Rosa is still in this and the fans rally up. Deonna is frustrated but she fireman’s carries Rosa. Rosa fires elbows, waistlocks, but Deonna pries the hold open! Deonna waistlocks, Rosa victory rolls and STOMP 182! The fans rally up again and Rosa covers, TWO! Deonna stays in this but Rosa stays on her. Rosa drags Deonna to a drop zone, goes to a corner and climbs. But Deonna rises and catches the leap! FUJIWARA ARMBAR!! Rosa endures, reaches out, pushes Deonna over to get a REAR NAKED CHOKE!! Deonna is in the body scissors but she fights around!

Deonna rises, to BACKPACK SENTON! Deonna is free, the fans fire up, and Deonna brings Rosa back up. Deonna SLAPS Rosa, then reels her in! Gotch Hold, but Rosa jackknife bridges! TWO, Deonna sunset flips, TWO! Prawn hold, TWO! FUJIWARA!! Rosa rolls it to a cradle, ROSA WINS!!

Winner: Thunder Rosa, by pinfall

Deonna thought she had the perfect formula but Rosa says she just beat her at wrestling! But then Deonna CLOBBERS Rosa at the ramp! The fans boo but Deonna drags Rosa up to RAM her into the bleachers! Rosa slumps down, but Deonna digs her boot in! Deonna SLAPS Rosa around, tells the ref to shut up, and she SLAPS Rosa more! So Rosa SLAPS back! They brawl on stage and then out to the ledge of the upper level! The fans fire up as they keep going! Security rushes in, the fans boo, but Deonna flips Rosa off! It seems nothing was settled here, will these two look to go Double or Nothing?

Backstage interview with The Undisputed Kingdom.

Arkady Aura is with Roderick Strong, Matt Taven & Mike Bennett as she notes Will Ospreay is the NEW #1 Contender to the AEW International Championship. Taven says hold on, before we get started here, “Not Lexy,” as three guys who care deeply about neck health, and as two guys who nursed someone from the brink of paralysis (aka Roddy), The Kingdom wishes a very speedy recovery to “the world’s greatest boss. TK, stay strong, buddy.” Roddy then shouts that “WILL… Ospreay. Congratulations, you did it! You have signed, sealed and delivered the downfall, demise and destruction of The Aerial Assassin at Double or Nothing.”

Roddy says the world can sing Ospreay’s praises, but none of that matters when you step in the ring with Roddy. Just like all the ones before, Roddy will dismantle Ospreay, he will BREAK Ospreay, and he will make Ospreay fall in front of The Savior of the Backbreaker. Roddy’s confidence is strong, but will Roddy be the one feeling the End of Heartache after taking on the #BillyGOAT?

“Big Bill” Morrissey VS Trevor Blackwell!

The human skyscraper says he wants to sit under the Learning Tree, but Chris Jericho’s gonna need a bigger tree if he’s to give guidance to Big Bill. Will Bill prove he is worthy of The Wizard’s sage advice?

The moment Bill is in the ring, he SPLASHES Trevor right in the corner! The bell rings, Bill runs to BOOT Trevor down! Trevor flounders around, Bill runs corner to corner and SPLASHES again! Trevor flops around, Bill wants Jericho to watch this. Bill said he’d show Jericho he is worthy, and we do see Jericho watching backstage, holding the FTW Championship on his shoulder and oddly still wearing a #LionHook shirt… Jericho nods as Bill CLUBS Trevor on the back! Bill then tells Jericho to watch him! Scoop and BIG BOSS SLAM!! Cover, but Bill lets off! Bill wags his finger, he wants Jericho to see more.

Bill brings Trevor up, reels him in, and short arm LARIATS! Cover, but again Bill lets off! Bill is having too much fun at poor Trevor’s expect. Bill says Jericho’s gonna wanna teach him. Bill hoists Trevor up for the SKYSCRAPER CHOKE SLAM!! One foot cover, a very Jericho move, and Bill wins!

Winner: “Big Bill” Morrissey, by pinfall

Trev might want to change his last name to Well-done, because he got roasted. Bill wants Jericho’s guidance, does he even need it when he can do all this?

BREAKING NEWS for Rampage!

Rampage won’t be following up Collision next week but it also won’t be back on Friday just yet. For AEW’s return to Canada, Rampage is going to be BACK TO BACK with Dynamite! Get ready for a truly All Elite Wednesday!

Katsuyori Shibata & Daniel Garcia VS Shane Taylor Promotions!

The Wrestler said during Collision earlier tonight that he was going to take on Shane Taylor Promotions by himself if he had to, but then the Dragonslayer offered his help. Now they’re both going to take on #TAIGASTYLE and Big Bad Shaney T. himself! Garcia wears basic trunks and boots to match Shibata, will The Wrestlers win out? Or will STP rumble, bad man, rumble?

The moment all four men are in the ring, Shibata CLOBBERS Lee Moriarty and then he and Garcia both go after Shane! The fans fire up as they stomp and kick Shane right out of the ring! Then they go out to keep after him! Shibata whips and BOOTS Shane into railing! Garcia fires off on Lee, then Shibata adds an UPPERCUT! Shibata whips and BOOTS Lee against railing! Garcia stomps Shane, Shibata snap suplexes Lee to the floor! Shibata leaves them behind to go into the ring and sit cross-legged! Garcia sits with him! The fans fire up and the two go out again. The brawling continues but Shane throws heavy hands!

Lee ROCKS Garcia, Shane puts Shibata in, and Shane storms in after Shibata. Lee sends Garcia into railing, but Shibata fires hands on Shane! Shibata KICKS and KICKS, but Shane blocks the boot! Shane JABS Shibata and Shibata falls back! Shane talks trash, the fans boo, but Shane drags Shibata up. Shane HEADBUTTS Shibata, tags Lee, and they mug Shibata. Lee stomps a mudhole in, lets off as the ref counts, but he sneaks mule kicks on Shibata the whole time! Shibata trips Lee, stomps him, but Lee gets up to RAM into Shibata! Lee brings Shibata around, suplexes, but Shibata slips free to waistlock!

Lee elbows free, kicks, but Shibata blocks! Lee KNEES Shibata but Garcia tags in! Shibata BOOTS Lee, Garcia LARIATS! Garcia DROPKICKS Shane, gets around Lee, TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! And then another TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Garcia brings Lee up again but Lee suplexes! Garcia slips free, spins Lee and kicks low, to then TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! The trifecta is complete and the fans fire up! Garcia storms up on Lee, brings him up, and UPPERCUTS! The fans rally for Garcia, he CHOPS Lee to ropes. And CHOPS Lee against ropes! Garcia runs, but Shane trips him! Lee distracts the ref so Shane can DRAPING DDT to the floor!

Shibata protests but Lee mocks him by sitting cross-legged. The ring count climbs, Garcia drags himself up at 3 of 10, slides in at 5, but Lee stomps Garcia at the ropes! Lee drags Garcia up, bumps him off buckles, then tags Shane. Shane pushes Garcia against the buckles, to then CHOP! Garcia seethes and he fires forearm son Shane! The fans fire up, Garcia throws more shots, then leaps, but into Shane’s arms! Shane RAMS Garcia into a corner, then CHOPS! Shane runs up, but Garcia BOOTS! Garcia spins, but Shane ROCKS him first! And URENAGES! And then SPLASHES down! Cover, TWO!

Shane seethes but he keeps Garcia from Shibata, and Rampage goes picture in picture.

Shane mocks Garcia’s dance, drags him up, but Garcia CHOPS! Garcia staggers, but Shane fires body shots in the corner! Shane ROCKS Garcia, tags Lee, and STP mugs Garcia. Garcia flounders to ropes, Lee CHOKES him! The ref counts, Lee steps away, and he stomps Garcia around. Lee wraps an arm around the ropes, then fishhooks Garcia! The ref counts, Lee lets off, and Garcia feeds off the energy of the fans. Lee brings Garcia up but Garcia fires forearm sand CHOPS! Lee gets around, and GERMAN SUPLEXES! Cover, TWO! Garcia stays in this but Lee stays on him with a wrench. Tag to Shane, and Lee hooks Garcia up in a COBRA TWIST, just so Shane can KNEE Garcia down!

Shane has Garcia on ropes, ROCKS him with a forearm, then scoops him for SNAKE EYES! Garcia slumps down in the corner, Shane drags him back up, and TOSSES him out! Shane goes out to then put Garcia against railing. Shane ROCKS Garcia, talks trash on fans, then brings Garcia around to scoop and SLAM him to the floor! Shane talks more trash on the fans, Lee has him cool off, and Shane brings Garcia up again. Shane puts Garcia in, tags Lee, and then Lee clamps on with a top wristlock and stretches Garcia out! Garcia endures, turns to fight the pressure, but Lee CLUBS him down. Lee drags Garcia up, tags Shane, and Shane scoop SLAMS!

Shane runs to SPLASH Garcia again! Rampage returns to single picture, Shane drags Garcia to a drop zone, and he goes up a corner. The fans boo but Shane blows them a kiss. FALLING SPLASH FLOPS as Garcia moves! T he fans fire up, but Lee KICKS him down! Lee hurries back and tags in, then he drags Garcia up. Lee wrenches, wristlocks, but Garcia endures. Lee SNAPS the fingers! The fans boo Lee being so villainous, but he drags Garcia up. Lee bumps Garcia off buckles, Shane holds Garcia up, but Garcia fights free with boots and haymakers and elbows! The fans fire up, Garcia sends Lee into Shane!

Lee hurries to waistlock but Garcia switches, SAIDO! The fans are thunderous as Lee and Garcia crawl! Hot tags to Shane and Shibata! Shibata BOOTS Shane! Shane roars, Shibata runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges and BOOTS! Shibata whips to BOOT Shane in the corner! Shibata fires forearms, the ref counts, but Lee runs up. Shibata DECKS him! Garcia RAMS Lee into a corner, climbs up, and while Shibata fires forearms on Shane, Garcia rains down fists! Garcia goes all the way to nine, then DOES HIS DANCE! Shibata and Garcia coordinate, DOUBLE HYDRAULIC DROPKICKS! The fans fire up and Garcia stands Shane up. Shibata runs in to BOOT!

Shibata CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS Shane, then CHOPS, CHOPS and JABS! Garcia does his dance while Shibata JABS and CHOPS to the rhythm! The fans are loving this, as now Garcia runs in to KNEE Shane! Shibata & Garcia get Shane up, to DOUBLE SUPLEX!! Cover, ONE?!? Shane has power to spare, but Garcia BOOTS him! Shibata BOOTS him! They go again, but this time Shane DOUBLE SUPLEXES them!! The fans boo but Shane tags in Lee. Lee runs up to clothesline Shibata, and JAB! And CHOP! JAB! CHOP! JAB! CHOP! Shibata just scowls at Lee! Lee says okay, and he fires more JABS and CHOPS!

Shibata steps into the shots, so Lee eggs him on! Shibata ROCKS Lee! Shane runs up, HEADBUTTS, then Lee HALF HATCH SLAMS! Cover, TWO!! Shibata toughs it out and STP grows frustrated. Lee drags Shibata up, kicks then waistlocks, but Shibata fights the lift! Shane storms in, helps Lee put on the full nelson, and Shane promises to knock Shibata out! But Shibata BOOTS Shane first! Garcia jumps on for a SLEEPER! Shibata switches on Lee for a SLEEPER!! The fans fire up as STP start fading out! Shane fires up to RAM Garcia into buckles! But Shibata BOOTS him! And Garcia SAIDOS!! Shibata PENALTY KICKS Lee!! Cover, The Wrestlers win!

Winners: Katsuyori Shibata & Daniel Garcia, by pinfall

Shibata helps Garcia stand up, and Garcia is proud to have won alongside one of his heroes! And with the fans cheering him on, Garcia sets up… to DO HIS DANCE! Will this momentum help Shibata avenge Hook and take that FTW Championship off of Chris Jericho? Or will The Learning Tree have some things to teach Shibata?

My Thoughts:

A great Rampage here, though I was oddly more excited when I thought it was just Deonna VS Rosa and the Parking Lot Brawl. But even so, at least Bill squashing a dude was used in story. He was showing off, he’ll surely have Jericho’s blessing if he helps defeat Shibata on Dynamite, but a part of me almost wants this to be all a trap. Bill was teammates with Ricky Starks in a feud against Jericho, and if Jericho is being obliviously arrogant then maybe Bill is using that against Jericho, too. But either way, let’s just hope this story helps Bill get going rather than slow him down like the #JerichoVortex has always done.

The Parking Lot Brawl was moving maybe a bit fast for me, especially with how there were some obvious spots already set up when they arrived, such as the drywall draped across the truck bed. But they surely got bloody, and in the end, Trent won out because he was willing to sink to the lowest low. And then they’ve written Chuck off again with that monkey wrench to the shin, so Cassidy VS Trent is definitely a Double or Nothing match. And something is just telling me that if Kris is gonna turn out to be the villain in the Willow Nightingale story, she’s probably gonna screw Cassidy over to help Trent, too.

Really good match from Deonna VS Rosa, and with Rosa getting a quick pin then that brawl, we’re clearly getting more out of them. Good promo from Kyle O’Reilly to hype AEW’s newest Canada tour, and good promo from The Kingdom to tie in their old Neck Health Awareness gag to the Tony Khan piledriver angle. Roddy calling out Ospreay, I would definitely think Ospreay wins the title at Double or Nothing. And really good tag main event from Shibata & Garcia VS Shane Taylor Promotions. STP keeps getting great showings even in losing, but Lee took the loss here to keep Shane himself strong. Great win for Shibata but this just adds to the go-home math where Jericho retains the FTW Championship on Dynamite.