Coverage

Mitchell’s NJPW G1 Climax 32 Results & Report! (8/6/22)

G1 continues to raise the stakes!

Published

2 years ago

August 6, 2022

Steven Mitchell

A growing rivalry writes a new, fiery chapter!

From BOSJ to New Japan Cup to G1 Climax, Will Ospreay and Shingo Takagi have battled for prize after prize! And once more, the Commonwealth Kingpin and the Dragon clash with a lot on the line!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

8 Man Tag: Tomohiro Ishii, Tama Tonga, David Finlay, Ryohei Oiwa VS The House of Torture; The House of Torture wins.
Tom Lawlor & Royce Isaacs VS Aaron Henare & Jeff Cobb; Henare & Cobb win.
Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Bullet Club; Bullet Club wins.
Kazuchika Okada & Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Bad Dude Tito & JONAH; Okada & Tanahashi win.
G1 Climax, D Block: YOSHI-HASHI VS El Phantasmo; Hashi wins.
G1 Climax, A Block: Toru Yano VS Lance Archer; Archer wins.
G1 Climax, C Block: Hirooki Goto VS Zack Sabre Jr; ZSJ wins.
G1 Climax, B Block: Great-O-Khan VS Jay White; White wins.
G1 Climax, D Block: Will Ospreay VS Shingo Takagi; Takagi wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Here are the current standings!

A Block

Kazuchika Okada: 3-0, 6 points
JONAH: 2-1, 4 points
Jeff Cobb: 2-2, 4 points
Bad Luck Fale: 2-2, 4 points
Lance Archer: 1-2, 2 points
Tom Lawlor: 1-2, 2 points
Toru Yano: 1-3, 2 points [ELIMINATED]

B Block

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

C Block

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

D Block

David Finlay: 3-1, 6 points
Will Ospreay: 2-1, 4 points
Yujiro Takahashi: 2-2, 4 points
Shingo Takagi: 1-2, 2 points
YOSHI-HASHI: 1-1, 2 points
El Phantasmo: 1-1, 2 points
Juice Robinson: 1-3, 2 points [ELIMINATED]

G1 Climax, D Block: YOSHI-HASHI VS El Phantasmo!

Two men that are 1-1 in the block battle for a very important tiebreaker! But will it be the Headhunter or the Headbanga that keeps up with the front of the pack?

The bell rings and fans cheer as the two stare down. They circle, tie up, and are in a deadlock. Hashi powers ELP back, puts him on the ropes, and lets off with pats on the shoulder. But ELP avoids the chop and struts about. Fans rally as ELP and Hashi reset. They tie up again, are in another deadlock, and Hashi powers ELP back again. ELP turns things around to put Hashi on the ropes, and ELP lets off, to CHOP! Hashi doesn’t flinch, but ELP dodges his chop! ELP headlocks, Hashi powers out and they ram shoulders! Neither falls, so ELP runs. They RAM shoulders again, but still neither falls. Hashi pushes ELP, ELP shoves Hashi back.

ELP winds up, but he pokes Hashi in the eyes! ELP stomps a foot, runs and runs Hashi over! ELP flexes and fans fire up, but things speed up. Hashi hurdles, keeps moving, BLOCKBUSTER! ELP writhes and gets to ropes, but Hashi is right on him. Hashi CLUBS ELP and fans rally up. Hashi CHOPS ELP down, then waist on ELP to get up. Hashi whips ELP to ropes but ELP holds ropes. ELP RANAS Hashi out of the ring and fans fire up as he builds speed! But then ELP fakes Hashi out with a slide! ELP goes around to TRIANGLE JUMP CROSSBODY! Direct hit and Hashi is down at the ramp! ELP dusts himself off as fans rally.

ELP drags Hashi up to ROCK him with a right. ELP goes up to the apron, but Hashi anchors the feet! ELP CLUBS and SLAPS Hashi, kicks him away, then ASAI MOONSAULTS! Another direct hit at the ramp! Fans fire up while the ref checks on Hashi. Hashi is okay to continue so ELP puts him in the ring. Fans rally up and ELP climbs the ropes for the SWANTON onto knees! Hashi saves himself and ELP writhes in the corner! Fans rally again and Hashi shakes out his arms. Hashi brings ELP around to ROCK with forearm after forearm! ELP sits down but Hashi slaps him around. Hashi eggs ELP on and ELP grits his teeth.

ELP ROCKS Hashi again and again, but Hashi CHOPS him back down! Hashi eggs ELP on again, then whips him corner to corner! ELP staggers into a back drop! Fans fire up again as Hashi drags ELP up. Hashi wrenches and CLUBS the arm, but ELP CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! Hashi CHOPS ELP off his feet! Hashi sits ELP up to dig his knee into ELP’s back with the chinlock. ELP endures, fights up, and fans rally. ELP throws elbows and body shots, then ROCKS Hashi with a forearm. ELP runs, ducks a lariat, but Hashi ducks back, only for ELP to DROPKICK Hashi down! Fans fire up as both men are down.

Hashi goes to a corner, ELP goes to the opposite. ELP storms over to Hashi and drags him up in the corner. ELP forearms, CHOPS, repeat! And again, and again, and again! The ref counts the ropebreak but ELP fires forearm after forearm! ELP stops at 4, then he drags Hashi back up. ELP whips, Hashi reverses and runs in, but ELP goes up and over! ELP ducks ‘n’ dodges to SPRINGBOARD CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! LIONSAULT! Cover, TWO!! Fans rally again as Hashi stays in this. ELP stands up, slashes the throat and drags Hashi up. ELP reels Hashi in, tucks the arms, but Hashi wrenches out to a cradle, TWO!!

Hashi CHOPS! ELP drops to a knee, Hashi stands him up, to CHOP again! ELP drops to another knee, but then he gets around to straitjacket! Hashi fights off the torture rack but ELP knees low. ELP runs but Hashi dropkicks the leg out! ELP ends up spiked on his head! Fans are thunderous as Hashi and ELP slowly rise. ELP staggers about, Hashi runs in at the corner, and Hashi CHOPS again! Hashi whips, to CHOP and mule kick! Then a turn for the NECKBREAKER! Fans fire up with Hashi now and Hashi stalks ELP to ropes. Hashi runs in again to CHOP ELP all the way up and out of the ring!

Hashi sees he has a target and fans are thunderous! Hashi builds speed, to FLY!! Direct hit at the ramp and Hashi is pumped up! Hashi drags ELP up, brings him around and puts him in the ring. Fans fire up as Hashi sits ELP up and runs to basement dropkick him down! Cover, TWO! Fans rally and Hashi drags ELP up. Hashi fisherman’s suplexes but ELP blocks it! ELP SLAPS Hashi, and again and again and again! Hashi shouts at ELP so ELP ENZIGURIS! Hashi staggers away but he comes back with a LARIAT! Fans fire up again while both men are down! ELP and Hashi stir, and ELP crawls after Hashi to throw a forearm!

ELP throws another forearm, and then throws off his elbow pads to really hit some shots! And again, and again! Hashi fires them all back! And then CHOPS! ELP staggers, returns, crucifix takedown! Cover, TWO! ELP atomic drops and scoop SLAMS! ELP goes to the corner and climbs up! FALLING AX HANDLES! ELP goes to another corner to tune up the band! Fans clap along as ELP takes aim, but Hashi ducks the kick! SNAP DRAGON! ELP is right up but Hashi runs, into a BOOT! Hashi still CHOPS! But ELP SUPERKICKS first! But both men are down on the mat! Fans fire up while the ref checks Hashi.

Hashi is somehow conscious but ELP drags him back up! ELP straitjackets, torture racks, U F O!! And then ELP goes to the corner, climbs back up, THUNDERKISS 86!! Cover, TWO!?!? Hashi shocks everyone, especially ELP! Fans are electric as ELP hurries back to his feet. ELP lashes his throat, drags Hashi up and tucks those arms, but Hashi trips to a jackknife! TWO!!! ELP and Hashi scramble up, ELP runs in to BOOT! ELP runs but Hashi follows to LRIAT! Hashi suckers ELP into a SUPERKICK!! And then the LARIAT!! Hashi roars, hauls ELP up, KUMAGOROSHI!! Cover, TWO!??! ELP survives and shocks Hashi right back!

Osaka is electric all over again as Hashi gets ELP back up! Hashi full nelsons, but ELP switches and rolls up with tights! TWO, Hashi hits a DESTROYER!! ELP flounders up into the spin, pump handle, KARMA!!! Cover, Hashi wins!!!

Winner: Yoshi-Hashi, by pinfall (gains 2 points; ELP earns 0)

You would think that was the finals with how hard they fought! But really, it was just so that Hashi could be 2-1! And this is his first 2-1 start EVER! Is this a sign that Hashi will #TurnItAllAround and head for the semifinals? As for ELP, he has a short turnaround, can he rebound quick when his next match is tomorrow?

G1 Climax, A Block: Toru Yano VS Lance Archer!

The Producer is out of the running with his 1-3 record, but he can still play spoiler! Will Yano drag the Murderhawk Monster down? Or will he suffer a Blackout in Osaka?

Archer makes his way out from the other side where the fans are! And then he CLOBBERS a Young Lion! And then another Young Lion! This is definitely feeling like Killer Elite Suzuki-Gun Archer tonight! And that explains why Yano looks so scared in his entrance. Archer invites him into the ring and Yano is almost in tears. Yano still gets in the ring, has his very long introduction, and says, “Kowai! <Scary!>” Yano wants the check skipped, and asks why Archer is so scary. Archer wants the DVD but Yano says no! Archer steps forward and says ring the bell! The bell rings, Yano avoids Archer as much as he can.

Archer tells Yano to stop running away. Yano says okay, fine, and they approach. But Yano avoids the grapple and again says, “I knew he was scary!” Archer storms up on Yano but Yano uses the ropes as defense. Archer is getting annoyed but Yano gets the fans rallying. Archer tells the fans to stop encouraging him! Yano hits an atomic drop, but it doesn’t work when Archer’s that much taller! Archer CLUBS Yano down! Archer laughs as he whips Yano to a corner! Archer runs in but Yano runs away! And he unties the other corner’s pad. But Archer CROSSBODIES Yano and the pad! Archer tosses the pad, insulting the sponsor that’s on it!

Archer stomps Yano, and decides to play the game. Archer undoes another buckle pad and tosses it at a Young Lion. Yano SLAPS Archer, but Archer just gets angrier. Yano apologies but kicks low. Yano whips, Archer reverses and BOOTS Yano down! Archer pursues Yano out of the ring, then whips him into railing! Yano flops down while Archer refreshes the count. Archer says he can also play the spare tape game! Archer uses wrist tape to wrap Yano to the railing! Fans can’t believe Archer’s getting Yano with his own tricks! The ring count climbs and Yano freaks out! The count is 7 of 20, but Yano has SCISSORS!

The count is 11, then 15! Yano cuts the tape but those scissors suck! It’s already 17 of 20! Yano scrambles in at 19.99!! Archer stomps away on Yano, then grabs the DVD. There’s still no disc in there! Archer SMACKS Yano with the case, then he and Yano each untie the last buckle pads! Yano SMACKS Archer first! Archer drops his pad, Yano SMACKS him again! Yano curses his luck as he SMACKS Archer again. Archer CLOBBERS Yano, then tosses the pads! Archer pursues Yano to the outside again, to CANNONBALL! But Yano uses a Young Lion as a shield! Direct hit on Yuto Nakashima, and Archer realizes what happened!

But then, where’d Yano go? Under the ring! The ref can’t find Yano, though, and Yano sneaks up behind Archer to LOW BLOW! Yano TOSSES Nakashima?! And then puts him through railing, and then drags Archer over! Yano tapes Archer and Nakashima together!! Archer thrashes Nakashima to get him through the gap! The count is 12 of 20, Archer has to drag the dead weight along! We’re at 15 of 20, Archer and Nakashima get in at 18! Yano kicks Archer, runs, but into a DOUBLE LARIAT! Archer unwraps the arms, but he doesn’t want the ref helping. Archer is free, and he drags Nakashima up, to scoop and SLAM him on Yano!

Yano crawls away and fans fire up! Archer tells Nakashima this is his fault! Archer drags Nakashima up and tells the ref to leave him alone. Archer tells Nakashima he’s gonna pay for almost costing him this match. CHOKE SLAM for Nakashima! Archer then kicks Nakashima out, and runs back at Yano. But into bare buckles! Yano goes to another corner, Archer runs at him but no, more buckles! Yano whips Archer into yet more buckles! Archer reverses the whip, Yano stops himself an dodges, more bare buckles! CHOP BLOCK, roll up, TWO!! Archer survives all that steel, but Yano drags him up. Archer clamps on a claw, but Yano breaks free!

Yano dodges Archer, shoves the ref, and LOW BLOWS Archer again! Roll up, TWO!! Archer survives again! Fans rally up and Yano hurries to run. But Archer DERAILS him! Archer snarls and fans rally up again. Archer stomps around, but that kinda hurts the groin. Fans clap but also chuckle as Archer works to tune up the band. Yano stands, Archer choke grips, but Yano breaks free! Archer BOOTS him, blocks a boot, but then Yano rakes eyes! Yano goes up but Archer STEP-UP KNEES! And then the inverted crucifix, for the BLACKOUT BOMB!! Cover, Archer wins!

Winner: Lance Archer, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Yano earns 0)

Well, if Yano wasn’t out before, he’s definitely out now. Out cold, that is! Will Archer use this win to stay alive in the block?

G1 Climax, C Block: Hirooki Goto VS Zack Sabre Jr!

Hiroshi Tanahashi’s victory yesterday puts him at the front of the block, but that’s only for now. Will the Fierce Warrior keep pace with The Ace? Or will he #JustTapOut and give up his spot to the Submission Master?

The bell rings and fans rally as Goto and ZSJ circle. They feel things out, tie up, back away and ZSJ tries his leg guard. Goto stays clear, ZSJ resets with him, and they tie up collar ‘n’ elbow. They’re in a deadlock but Goto uses his size to push ZSJ to ropes. The ref counts the ropebreak, ZSJ clinches but then lets off. Goto lets off slowly, too, but ZSJ pie faces him! ZSJ then headbutts low, headlocks tight, but Goto endures as ZSJ thrashes him around. Goto fights up, powers out, and he RAMS shoulders with ZSJ! ZSJ staggers back but he eggs Goto on. Goto runs, RAMS ZSJ, and ZSJ staggers to ropes! ZSJ comes back to EuroUpper!

ZSJ runs again, rams shoulders, but Goto rebounds to run ZSJ over! Fans fire up as ZSJ bails out of the ring. ZSJ gets in, Goto whips but ZSJ reverses. Goto reverses a hip toss to a hip toss, and ZSJ bails out again. Goto goes out to fetch ZSJ, covers, TWO! Goto covers again, TWO! Another cover, TWO!! Fans applaud while ZSJ tells the ref to shut up. Goto stomps ZSJ, clamps on a chinlock and bends him back. ZSJ pries at the fingers but Goto thrashes him. Goto digs his elbow in and JAMS ZSJ in the forehead. Goto then stomps ZSJ, drags him back up, and fans rally. Goto bumps ZSJ off buckles and stomps him down.

Goto digs his boot in but ZSJ pushes the foot away. Goto drags ZSJ up to CLUB him down, and then whips ZSJ corner to corner. ZSJ goes up and around, but into a fireman’s carry! ZSJ kicks and gets to the apron, for a ROPE SLEEPER! The ref counts, ZSJ lets go at 4, to get a ROPE ARMBAR! The ref counts again, and ZSJ lets off at 4. ZSJ drags Goto out, whips him to railings, but Goto rebounds, into a BOOT! ZSJ puts the arm in the railing to BOOT the railing and jam the arm! Fans fire up with ZSJ, and ZSJ takes a moment to catch his breath. ZSJ then digs his forearm into Goto’s face while getting the arm.

ZSJ bends the fingers, isolates the arm, and STOMPS it! ZSJ gets in the ring and eggs “dickhead” Goto on. ZSJ wants the ring count so the ref starts it. Goto shakes out his bad arm while the count climbs to 5 of 20. Goto sits up at 9, stands at 11, shakes out his arm again and gets in the ring at 14. ZSJ digs his knee right into Goto’s ribs, then wraps the bad arm around the ropes! The ref reprimands, ZSJ lets off but then pulls harder! ZSJ finally lets go and Goto gets back out. ZSJ is right after Goto to put him right back in. Fans applaud and ZSJ storms around Goto. Fans rally, ZSJ sits Goto up for a PENALTY KICK!

ZSJ paces around, sits Goto up again and PENALTY KICKS! ZSJ stands on Goto’s chest for a cover, TWO! ZSJ gives Goto toying kicks, then drags him up again. ZSJ EuroUppers and Goto staggers, but Goto kicks back. ZSJ EuroUppers again and again until Goto falls over! Fans fire up while ZSJ catches his breath again. ZSJ drags Goto up by his bad arm and twists the wrist. ZSJ knuckle locks to twist Goto’s arm more and more, then ZSJ WRINGS it out! Goto sputters while ZSJ dares him to get up. Fans rally, ZSJ taunts Goto, and ZSJ kicks Goto around. Goto eggs ZSJ on now and ZSJ KICKS him more and more!

ZSJ taunts Goto, so Goto CHOPS him! And ROCKS him with forearms! And then CHOPS again! ZSJ BOOTS Goto but Goto snarls and runs! Into another BOOT! Wrench and ARM PELE! But Goto LARIATS right back! Fans rally up as both men are down again. ZSJ gets to a corner and Goto is at center. Goto runs in to fire off forearms! Goto whips corner to corner, runs in and MURAMASAS, for the BULLDOG! Cover, TWO! Fans rally as Goto drags ZSJ up. Goto fireman’s carries but ZSJ fights it! ZSJ wrenches the bad arm, BOOTS it, then EuroUppers hard! Goto staggers, ZSJ EuroUppers again! ZSJ brings Goto back around for another EuroUpper!

Goto DECKS ZSJ with a forearm! Goto drags ZSJ up, but ZSJ EuroUppers! Goto ROCKS ZSJ, but ZSJ shakes out his head. ZSJ comes back to EuroUpper! Goto throws a forearm, ZSJ throws a forearm, and fans fire up as the forearms fly back and forth! Goto gets the edge and he ROCKS ZSJ! But ZSJ uppercuts the arm! ZSJ runs, Goto follows, but ZSJ gets around, to the COBRA TWIST! Fans fire up as Goto endures the hold! Goto fights his way over, and gets the ROPEBREAK! ZSJ lets Goto go quickly, to then reel him in for a full nelson! Goto breaks that but ZSJ GERMAN SUPLEXES! Goto gets up, ZSJ BOOTS him, but Goto gets ZSJ in a full nelson, then URA G T R!

Fans fire up again as both men are down! Goto and ZSJ slowly rise, and Goto drags ZSJ up. Goto KICKS ZSJ in the chest and ZSJ falls over. Goto sits ZSJ up to KICK him back down! Goto keeps ZSJ up to kick him again! And again! And again! ZSJ flops down but he refuses to stop here. So Goto drags ZSJ up to line up a shot, only for ZSJ to block the kick! ANKLE LOCK, full nelson, DRAGON SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Goto survives and fans rally up! ZSJ goes to a corner and he aims as Goto slowly sits up. ZSJ runs in to PEANLTU KIKC, but Goto blocks! ZSJ SLAPS and SLAPS and SLAPS Goto, then fires off more SLAPS! But Goto HEADBUTTS ZSJ down!

Goto waits on ZSJ to stand, and then he KICKS ZSJ down! Goto drags ZSJ right up, fireman’s carries, but ZSJ moves around to get a GUILLOTINE! Goto is caught, but he powers out to the fireman’s carry! USHIGOROSHI! Fans are thunderous as both men are down again! Goto and ZSJ crawl to each other, but Goto drags ZSJ up first! Dragon sleeper, but ZSJ drops to victory roll, then EURO CLUTCH! TWO!!! Goto escapes, ZSJ hurries to PENALTY KICK! Cover, ONE?!?! ZSJ hurries to run in again, into a LARIAT!! Cover, ONE!!! Fans are thunderous again as both men stay in this! Goto and ZSJ go to opposite ends and drag themselves up the ropes.

Goto runs but ZSJ catches him! Goto fights off the takedown but ZSJ hits a FLYING ARMBAR! And then he gets a leg! ZSJ has both arm and leg, Goto flails and reaches out, ROPEBREAK!! ZSJ lets off fast in frustration, and fans rally up again. ZSJ stands Goto up to KICK him, then EuroUpper! ZSJ runs corner to corner, but Goto puts him in the corner! DRAPING SHOUTO!! But Goto’s bad arm holds him back! Fans fire up as Goto gets back up and he aims again. ZSJ sits up, Goto KICKS him back down! Then the fireman’s carry, for G T W!! But again, the bad arm! Goto crawls to the cover, TWO!!

ZSJ and Goto are down again and fans fire back up! Goto drags ZSJ back up, dragon sleepers, G T- NO, ZSJ slips around, ARMBAR! Goto stays up, stomps and kicks ZSJ but ZSJ drags Goto back down to the DISARMER!!! Goto taps, ZSJ wins!!

Winner: Zack Sabre Jr, by submission (gains 2 points; Goto earns 0)

ZSJ makes the Fierce Warrior #JustTapOut! Will Goto start to fall from the top? And while ZSJ is 3-1, he is still behind The Ace. The Submission Master will have to be flawless from this point on, can he do it?

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

The Dominator has been anything but dominant with his 1-2 record. But he could shake up the entire G1 right here! Will Khan conquer the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion? Or will even he Breathe with the Switchblade?

Almost uncharacteristically, Khan stands outside the ring as his opponent makes his entrance. But at the same time, this is the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion. Khan then gets in the ring during the introductions, and White applauds as the Young Lion takes the title. White shows off the muscles and fans applaud. And of course, White and Gedo Too Sweet. The bell rings Khan rushes in but White scrambles away in a panic! White laughs that off and goes to No Man’s Land to catch his breath. White admits Khan almost had him there. White then returns to the ring, and he circles with Khan. Khan sits down, daring White to try something.

Khan rolls around with his leg guard but White uses the ropes as defense. White doesn’t understand that technique! Khan dares White to come back, and even bawks like a chicken! White says he’s not a chicken, he’s a super champion! White storms up on Khan, but Khan trips him up! Khan floats to a headlock but White kicks and flails! Khan waistlocks, rolls White around, then bridge covers, TWO! Khan gets an arm but White gets the ropebreak! White shouts for the ref, the ref shouts for the ropebreak, and Khan lets go. White then argues with the ref that he needs to call ropebreaks faster!

White rushes Khan and CLOBBERS him! White CLUBS Khan, headlocks, but Khan powers out and runs White over! Khan dusts himself off, and has the THRONE CRADLE! Cover, TWO! BASEMENT BOOT! Cover, TWO! Gedo complains, White crawls to a corner, and Khan storms after him. White grabs the post but Khan drags him back in. Khan bumps White off buckles, then says we’ll see how the champion feels, after Khan sits on his head! Fans fire up but Khan has them hush. Too Sweet spank! Khan then grabs the arms to pull them back! The ref counts, Khan hops off at 4 and White flops out of the ring.

Fans rally as Khan goes out to fetch White. Khan RAMS White into railing, much like White would do! Khan then drags White up, tells Gedo to get out of the way, and he whips White hard into railing! Gedo protests but Khan has him stay back. Khan puts White in the ring, White claims his eye is bothering him, and Gedo grabs Khan’s legs! Khan BOOTS Gedo into railing! But White gets the legs to SLAM them on the apron! And again! And again! White CLUBS away on the leg, then helps Gedo up. But now Khan BOOTS White into the railing! White scrambles back up to ANKLE LOCK in the ropes! And HALF CRAB!

The ref counts, White lets off at 4, and Khan clutches his leg! White stomps Khan over and over, then he drags Khan up to put in the corner. White stomps a mudhole in, then goes out to move his things aside. White gets Khan’s leg to SLAM them into the post! And again! White checks on Gedo, but Khan BOOTS White all the way back into No Man’s Land! Gedo is shocked! Fans rally up, White crawls his way back into the ring, and he hurries to hit a NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! White paces, eggs Khan on and then mocks the zombie walk. White throws up a Too Sweet, but Khan wraps up a leg! White rakes Khan’s eyes to stop that!

The ref reprimands but White says shut up, Khan gets plenty of time for his stuff! White gets Khan’s leg but Khan CLUBS him away. White kicks the leg, then Too Sweet CHOPS! Too Sweet CHOP! White whips but Khan blocks! Khan whips White to a corner, but White BOOTS back! White swings but misses, Khan sayanagis White down! Fans rally up, White goes to a corner, and Khan runs in to clothesline! Khan dribbles White off the buckle pad again and again, then SLAM DUNKS! Khan runs but his bad leg stops him! So Khan hobbles back to White to gut wrench and suplex! Cover, TWO! Khan is annoyed but White survives.

Khan drags White up, for HITSUJIGOROSHI! White scrambles to get the ROPEBREAK! Khan lets go at 4, and White flops to the apron. Khan drags White back up, climbs up the corner, but White blocks the lift! White throws elbows over and over and then CLUBS Khan down. White has Khan’s leg, DRAPING DRAGON SCREW! Khan writhes while White mocks Tanahashi’s air guitar. White tells Khan he has no idea who he’s in here with. Khan gets to a corner, White runs in to uppercut! White then brings Khan out, but Khan blocks the suplex! White still gets Khan up for a BLADEBUSTER! Cover, TWO!

Fans rally but White argues the count again. White wants a faster count but the ref says his count is fair. White drags Khan up, reels him in, but Khan fights the clinch. White CHOP BLOCKS! White drags Khan by his ponytail, then reels him back in. But Khan RAMS White into a corner! White kicks a leg! Too Sweet CHOP! That was a sharp one and Khan staggers back. But Khan fires up, only to swing into a COMPLETE SHOT! White then deadlift waistlocks for the GERMAN SUPLEX! “Rock that baby!” Fans rally for Khan but White drags him up by his ponytail again. White stands Khan up, reels him in, URENAGE! Cover, TWO!!

White is frustrated, as is Gedo, but the ref says his count is fair. White drags Khan by his ponytail and has the sleeper! Fans fire up as Khan fights the suplex, but White CLUBS away on Khan’s back! White puts on the sleeper again but ducks the back elbow. Khan clinches for a BELLY2BELLY! Fans fire up while both men are down again. Khan stands, he waits on White, but White gets around to waistlock. Khan throws White, White CHOPS, runs, and he blocks a boot! KNEE BREAKER to a DRAGON SCREW! Gedo wants White to break that leg, so White gets the legs tied up, TTO!! Well, maybe it’s a KTO, a Khan Tap Out!

But Khan crawls to the ROPEBREAK with this mouth!! White lets go in frustration but the fans fire up! White taunts Khan but Khan eggs White on, too! White mockingly asks if Khan needs help up. Khan takes the help, and both men egg each other on. Too Sweet CHOP! Khan shakes his head so White CHOPS again! Khan Mongolian Chops and White falls right down! Fans fire up, White gets up and he CHOPS again! And again! And again! And again! White taunts the tough guy, so Khan IRON CLAWS! White kicks low and clamps on a sleeper, but Khan elbows free! White rebounds, but Khan avoids the chop block to HELL STAB!

Fans fire up as White falls down! Khan roars, gets his bad leg moving, and Khan Mongolian Chops! And again! And again! White falls over and Gedo is freaking out! Khan drags White back up, but White swings at the legs. Khan dodges that, and the lariat, to BOOT White down! Khan then drags White up, scoops him, but White slips off to SNAP SLEEPER SUPLEX! Fans fire up again while both men are down! White drags Khan up, slashes his throat, and reels Khan in, IRON CLAW!! But White CLAWS Khan! But Khan slips out, HITSUJIGOROSHI! White endures, reaches out, but Khan scoops for a BACKBREAKER!

HITSUJIGOROSHI LUNA!! White endures the stretching Sheep Killer, flails and reaches, but he’s fading! Khan is SMOTHERING White with that claw! Gedo panics but fans rally as Khan then drags White up! ELIMI- NO White gets around to the sleeper! But Khan IRON CLAWS anyway! White thrashes, kicks, breaks free, but gets the IRON FIST!! The ref reprimands but the fans are loving this! Khan drags White back up with the IRON CLAW! But White clips the bad leg! BLADERUNNER!! But the claw is still on! White breaks free, pushes to the cover, White wins!!

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

The Dominator couldn’t hit the Eliminator, and now he is the one ELIMINATED from the running! The Switchblade is 4-0, will he make this the biggest Jay1 ever?

G1 Climax, D Block: Will Ospreay VS Shingo Takagi!

From the Best of the Super Juniors to the New Japan Cup to Wrestling Dontaku and G1s past, we’ve seen these two rise up the ranks and go from the Aerial Assassin and Muscle Hawk to the Commonwealth Kingpin and Rampaging Dragon! But what matters most is what you’ve done lately! Will this newest chapter be punctuated by Ospreay or Takagi standing tall?

The bell rings, fans rally up, “TA-KA-GI!” “O-SU-PREAY!” The two approach carefully, feel out the grapple, then tie up. Ospreay wrenches to a wristlock, but Takagi wrenches back. Takagi hammerlocks, Ospreay reaches back to get a headlock. Takagi powers up but Ospreay holds tight! Fans applaud and rally again as Takagi fights up. Takagi powers up and out, Ospreay RAMS him, but Takagi rebounds to run him over! Ospreay kips up but Takagi just runs him over again! Takagi stands Ospreay up to JAB, then whip corner to corner. Ospreay goes up and over to arm-drag! But Takagi avoids the dropkick! Ospreay avoids the senton to BOOT!

Ospreay whips and runs in but misses in the corner, and Takagi hits a BIG hip toss! Takagi clamps on a chinlock and digs his knee in. Ospreay endures so Takagi JAMS him with the knee. Takagi has the motorcycle stretch but Ospreay fights up. Ospreay gets to the corner and Takagi lets off, to RAM Ospreay in the back. Takagi brings Ospreay around to whip and KNEE him against the ropes. Takagi suplexes high and hard and fans fire up! Cover, TWO! Takagi wraps on a body scissors squeeze! Ospreay endures, throws some elbows, and then crawls his way over to the ROPEBREAK! Takagi gives one more squeeze before letting go.

Takagi cravats, stands Ospreay up, but Ospreay throws body shots,. Takagi cravats to throw knees! Ospreay CHOPS Takagi back! Ospreay whips, runs in to back elbow in the corner, then runs, into an ELOBW! JAB! YUKON feint to the DDT, but Ospreay handspring through?! To DROPKICK Takagi out! Fans fire up as Ospreay PLANCHAS! Direct hit and both men are down! Fans rally and Ospreay gets to his feet. Ospreay puts Takagi in, stalks Takagi and brings him up to throw haymakers. Takagi goes to ropes, Ospreay CLUBS him, and then CHOPS him! Ospreay corners Takagi, HEADBUTTS away on him, then paces around.

Fans rally up, Ospreay drags Takagi up and wrenches to scoop, for a BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Takagi crawls to the apron and fans rally up. Ospreay stands on Takagi’s face but lets off as Red Shoes reprimands. Ospreay brings Takagi up but Takagi throws body shots! Ospreay DECKS Takagi, covers, TWO! Ospreay is annoyed, and he drags Takagi back up. Takagi fights the suplex, then turns things around to suplex Ospreay to the apron! Ospreay ROCKS Takagi, bumps him off buckles, then takes aim! PIP PIP- NO, Takagi gets under to ELBOW! JAB! YUKON LARIAT! Fans fire up while both men are down again!

Takagi leans on ropes and fans rally back up. Takagi runs to run Ospreay over, then scoop and SLAM! Takagi whips, Ospreay holds ropes and kicks back! Ospreay runs, but into the back drop! Fans fire up, Ospreay stands and Takagi clotheslines him up and out! Fans fire up, Takagi goes out and stomps Ospreay down. Takagi puts Ospreay in, fans rally up more, and Takagi runs in at the corner. Takagi blocks a boot, LARIATS, then fires off forearms over and over and over! Takagi brings Ospreay out, Ospreay blocks the suplex, so Takagi hits a NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Takagi looks to the cameras and says there’s more to come!

Takagi drags Ospreay up, hooks him up, but Ospreay fights the Gory Especial. Ospreay CHOPS Takagi, whips but Takagi reverses to wrench Ospreay’s arm into the hooks. But Takagi then uses that to spin Ospreay into a suplex, STUN-DOG MILLIONAIRE from Ospreay! Takagi staggers away to a corner and fans fire up! Ospreay catches his breath, runs in at the corner, but Takagi puts him on the apron. Ospreay ROCKS Takagi, then PIP PIP CHEERIO! Cover, TWO! Ospreay grits his teeth, drags Takagi back up and wrenches the arm to CHOP! And CHOP! Then KOWATA KICKS! Takagi headbutts the buckle to fire up!

Fans fire up as Takagi eggs Ospreay on. Ospreay gives him more Kowata Kicks! Ospreay then calls his shot, springboards, but Takagi stops him! CLUB to the torture rack, BLOOD- NO, Ospreay lands on his feet! But Takagi ducks the Penalty Kick, Ospreay MOONSAULTS onto knees! Fans fire up for how well Takagi knows Ospreay! Fans rally as both men slowly sit up. Takagi is on Ospreay first with ELBOW after ELBOW raining down! The fans clap along, then Takagi runs for the SLIDING- NO, Ospreay ducks, but Takagi dodges! Ospreay whips, Takagi reverses, Ospreay handsprings, into a GERMAN! But Ospreay lands on his feet!

Ospreay DROPKICKS Takagi but Takagi rebounds off ropes, PUMPING- NO, Ospreay slips through the lariat to reel Takagi in and lift, but Takagi slips out! Ospreay dodges, handsprings, NEURALIZER! But Takagi stays up to SLINDING- NO, Ospreay dodges to BUZZSAW!! Both men are down and fans are thunderous after that fast and furious exchange! Ospreay and Takagi slowly stir, and Takagi drags himself up the corner. Fans rally up, “TA-KA-GI!” “O-SU-PREAY!” Ospreay runs in to BOOT Takagi in the corner! Ospreay pops Takagi up the corner, CLUBS him down, then climbs up from the outside!

Ospreay is on the very top as he goes for Takagi, and has the underhooks! Takagi fights free and ELBOWS Ospreay to the apron! Takagi turns around, drags Ospreay up, but Ospreay ROCKS him! Ospreay springboards but Takagi catches him to a fireman’s carry! Ospreay throws elbows but Takagi holds on! But Ospreay throws fast body shots! Ospreay backflips off the top, Takagi BOOTS but Ospreay GAMANGIRIS! Ospreay adjusts, climbs up again, and has Takagi for a SUPER SPANISH FLY!! Cover, TWO!! Fans are thunderous, and Ospreay goes back up top! 450 SPLASH! Cover, TWO!! Ospreay drags Takagi up to throw hands!

Takagi clamps onto a leg to keep Ospreay from running. Ospreay uses that to bring Takagi up for boxing elbows! ROLLING ELBOW! And then the underhooks! Takagi blocks the lift, and back drops! Ospreay lands on his feet to HOOK KICK! Ospreay aims from a corner, runs in, HIDDEN- ARMBAR!?!? Takagi catches the blade, pries the hands apart, ARM SNAPPER!! Ospreay clutches his arm and fans fire up! Takagi drags Ospreay by his arm to SLAM the arm on the mat! Ospreay goes to the apron but Takagi drags him back in. Ospreay throws forearms but his left is weaker. Takagi ROCKS Ospreay, Ospreay tries to use his right but that just hurts Ospreay!

Takagi throws a forearm, Ospreay throws a forearm, but that keeps doing double damage to Ospreay! Takagi CLUBS and UPPERCUTS the bad arm, then wrenches it to an ELBOW BREAKER! Takagi runs, but Ospreay ducks! PUMPING LARIAT but Ospreay flips through! Ospreay springboards, TAKAGI CUTTER!! Takagi then shoves Ospreay to ropes, POP UP DEATH VALLEY DRIVER!! Takagi gets moving, PUMPING BOMBER!! Cover, TWO!!! Ospreay survives even as Takagi pulls out new tricks! Fans are electric and Takagi shouts, “OI! OI! OI!” Fans clap along, Takagi gets up and drags Ospreay back up.

Takagi pump handles, lifts, but then shifts to underhook! Takagi gets Ospreay up but Ospreay slips off! Takagi ducks the roundhouse to pump handle, but Ospreay switches that onto Takagi! MADE IN ENGLAND!! Cover, TWO!! Takagi survives his stolen move, but Ospreay springboards, OSCUTTER!! Cover, TWO?!?! Takagi survives and fans are thunderous again! Ospreay sits Takagi up and goes to the corner, but then Takagi flops down. Ospreay shakes out his arm while fans rally hard as ever! “O-SU-PREAY!” grits his teeth while “TA-KA-GI!” flounders. Ospreay kicks Takagi around, sits him up and KICKS him!

Takagi eggs Ospreay on so Ospreay KICKS him more. Ospreay gives more Kowata Kicks, but Takagi blocks one! But Ospreay JABS! BUZZSAW and HEEL KICK! Ospreay aims for the corner, but Takagi POISON-RANAS?!? Fans are thunderous but Ospreay wobbles to HIDDEN BLADE OUTTA NOWHERE!! Both men are down as Ospreay clutches his bad arm! Ospreay crawls to the cover, TWO!! Takagi survives but Ospreay shakes his arm. Ospreay fires up, fans are thunderous, and Ospreay hooks Takagi up. But the bad arm won’t let Ospreay complete the underhooks! He has to half it, but Takagi slips off to ROCK and LARIAT!

Ospreay staggers to a corner, he BOOTS, ENZIGURIS and HOOK KICKS!! Then HEEL KICK!! Fans are fired up as this passes 20 minutes, meaning there are only 10 left! Ospreay goes up the corner, SUPER- BACKSLIDE! TWO!! Takagi runs, PUMPING- SPANISH FLY! Cover, TWO!! Ospreay hurries to aim again as Takagi sits up, but Takagi ducks the blade to LARIAT! cover, ONE!!! Takagi swats the lariat, JABS, then swats another to SNAP DRAGON SUPLEX! Takagi hurries to run, PUMPING BOMBER!! Cover, TWO!?!? Fans are electric as Takagi and Ospreay stagger. SLIDING FOREARM from Takagi, then the pump handle! LAST OF THE DRAGON!!! Cover, TAKAGI WINS!!

Winner: Shingo Takagi, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Ospreay earns 0)

Another instant classic, and it is the Dragon that slays the Kingpin this time! Will Ospreay be able to recover and fight his way to the top? Or is he already checking out of the semifinals? As for Takagi, he shows the IWGP US Heavyweight Champion respect as one of his rivals. Then he gets the mic to say, “This G1 Climax is neck and neck right now. But I told you before: if there’s a chance, I’m not giving up! Whatever happens, I’ll stand by my word until the very end!” Fans applaud that, but Takagi admits, today’s points didn’t come easily. Last year, Ospreay had Takagi’s number. Ospreay retained the title against Takagi in Wrestling Dontaku.

In many ways, Takagi felt he was “in stasis” since that loss. But today’s win helps Takagi make a brand new start! Fans applaud that, too. Takagi then says, “Oi, Osaka. OI, OSAKA! Oh, I better not try that again. My head…” But Osaka is often a turning point for Takagi. It was in Osaka when Takagi first declared his intent on entering the G1. And it was in Osaka during that G1 that he had his one and only 1v1 match with Tetsuya Naito! And above all, it was in Osaka that Takagi won the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship last year!

Fans applaud those accomplishment, and Takagi says what he’s getting at is quite simple: Takagi’s win in Osaka today will be his turning point in this G1! “This dragon will rampage to a G1 victory!” Takagi drops the mic and kneels in respect to Osaka. Will Osaka be Takagi’s gateway to the G1 trophy?

Here are the NEW standings!

A Block

Kazuchika Okada: 3-0, 6 points
JONAH: 2-1, 4 points
Jeff Cobb: 2-2, 4 points
Bad Luck Fale: 2-2, 4 points
Lance Archer: 2-2, 4 points
Tom Lawlor: 1-2, 2 points
Toru Yano: 1-4, 2 points [ELIMINATED]

B Block

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

C Block

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

D Block

David Finlay: 3-1, 6 points
Shingo Takagi: 2-2, 4 points
Will Ospreay: 2-2, 4 points
YOSHI-HASHI: 2-1, 4 points
Yujiro Takahashi: 2-2, 4 points
El Phantasmo: 1-2, 2 points
Juice Robinson: 1-3, 2 points [ELIMINATED]

My Thoughts:

Another awesome event for the G1 Climax, and perhaps the best round overall. Hashi VS ELP really got the fans going there, and it was great for Hashi to win and build upon this ascension he’s been on. ELP is still alive in the G1 but he’s still got a ways to go, he is not taking the block at this point. Yano VS Archer was incredibly hilarious, and it very clever to get the Young Lions as involved as they were. But as Yano was already eliminated before this, it makes sense to give Archer the win here. Goto VS ZSJ was an awesome match to fight for second place in the block. This one could go either way, so it was pretty awesome for ZSJ to get the win. ZSJ still has a chance to take the block, if Tanahashi loses both to Goto and Kenta while ZSJ beats both Naito and Evil.

Great stuff out of Khan VS White, and Khan definitely came closer than most to beating White. White is spotless so far, and with only Tama Tonga and Taichi left, I would think he takes the block with ease. At the same time, Tama and Taichi will be purely fighting to get that golden ticket to a title match at one of the other events before WrestleKingdom, so they’re still going to have awesome matches with White. And then of course, Ospreay VS Takagi was amazing, building upon all their history with each other. It was must-win for Takagi, so it was great to see that Takagi did win. Ospreay can still win against Hashi and Juice, but Takagi can surely beat Yujiro and ELP, so they’re both really hoping that Finlay loses to ELP and Hashi. It’s going to be neck and neck just like Takagi said, I can’t wait.

My Score: 8.9/10

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There’s a lot of gold in the Golden State!

Published

2 days ago

January 11, 2025

Steven Mitchell

Who is truly the Best of the Super Juniors?

NJPW returns to San Jose, and they’re bringing gold! But will El Desperado keep his newly won IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship? Or will Taiji Ishimori make sure #ItsReborn?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Kickoff – Strong Survivor: Zane Jay VS Viento; Zane wins.
Kickoff – Shane Haste & Bad Dude Tito VS Fred Rosser & Matt Vandagriff; Shane & Tito win.
NJPW Strong Openweight Championship: Gabe Kidd VS Tomohiro Ishii; Time Limit Draw, Gabe retains the title.
NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships: West Coast Wrecking Crew VS Rocky Romero & YOH; WCWC wins and retains the titles.
8 Woman Elimination Tag Match: Viva Van, HANAKO, Maika & Mina Shirakawa VS Johnnie Robbie, Trish Adora, Anna Jay & AZM; Viva, Hanako, Maika & Mina win.
NJPW World Television Championship: El Phantasmo VS Jeff Cobb; Double Count-Out Draw, ELP retains the title.
Sumie Sakai Retirement Mixed Six Tag: Sumie Sakai, EVIL & SHO VS Hiromu Takahashi, Mayu Iwatani & Yuka Sakazaki; Hiromu, Mayu & Yuka win.
NEVER Openweight Championship: Konosuke Takeshita VS KUSHIDA; Konosuke wins and retains the title.
Zack Sabre Jr. VS Hechicero; ZSJ wins.
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: El Desperado VS Taiji Ishimori; Desperado wins and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

NJPW Strong Openweight Championship: Gabe Kidd VS Tomohiro Ishii!

WrestleDynasty did not go the way either man wanted. The Mad Man could not best the Best Bout Machine, and the Stone Pitbull could not grab up Konosuke Takeshita’s gold. But will Ishii be able to take a bite out of Gabe? Or will Gabe prove he’s got that dog in him?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who’s really #WarReady!

The bell rings and the fans rally up. Gabe and Ishii stare down, the fans rally a bit more, then both men back up. Ishii and Gabe run up to lock up! The fans cheer as they’re in a deadlock! Gabe pushes Ishii back, but Ishii pushes Gabe back. They end up on ropes, the ref calls the break, but Gabe lets off slowly. Gabe CHOPS! Ishii doesn’t even flinch! Gabe fires a forearm, then clamps on a headlock. Ishii powers up to pry at the hold, but Gabe squeezes tight. Ishii fires body shots, powers up and out, but Gbe RAMS him! And RAMS him! And RAMS him! The fans fire up, Ishii runs, and he RAMS Gabe!

Gabe runs and he RAMS Ishii! Both men run, and they RAM in again! And again! And again! The fans fire up as the shoulders continue to RAM! Gabe pushes Ishii, the two reset, and they RAM! Ishii ducks the lariat, but the SOUTHPAW lands! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer while Gabe snarls. Gabe shakes out the arm, stands over Ishii, and the fans rally up. Gabe scuffs Ishii, the fans boo, but Gabe soaks up the heat. Gabe pretends not to understand why they boo, then he tells Ishii to get up. Ishii stands, Gabe tells off the fans, then runs corner to corner to LARIAT Ishii down! Gabe scuffs Ishii again while the fans boo more.

Ishii stirs, but Gabe does jumping jacks to show off. Gabe puts Ishii on ropes to CHOP, CHOP, and LARIAT! Gabe runs, and he RUNS Ishii over! Cover, TWO! Ishii’s tougher than that but Gabe mockingly applauds. Gabe steps on Ishii’s face, kicks him around, but Ishii stands. Ishii CHOPS, then CHOPS, then CHOPS again! Gabe CHOPS and Ishii staggers back! Ishii flops against the ropes, Gabe flexes, but the fans boo. Gabe tells the fans off again while he flexes more. Gabe goes back to Ishii, and he plays along as fans chant “Gabe Kidd Sucks!” Ishii stands to fire forearm after forearm, but Gabe eggs him on.

Ishii fires more shots, but then Gabe ROCKS him and UPPERCUTS him! Ishii falls to the mat, Gabe talks trash, and Gabe drags Ishii up. Gabe ROCKS Ishii, ROCKS him again, and again! But now Ishii wakes up! The fans fire up as Ishii just takes the forearm shots! Ishii leans into the shots! Then he DECKS Gabe! The fans fire up as Gabe sputters around. Ishii whips Gabe, Gabe reverses, but Ishii bounces off buckles to CLOBBER Gabe! The fans fire up again and rally behind “I-SHI-I!” as he stalks Gabe to a corner. Ishii CHOPS, ROCKS, and repeat! Ishii stands Gabe back up for more CHOPS and forearms!

The ref counts, Ishii lets off, and the fans cheer again. Ishii storms back over to Gabe, kicks him around, but now Gabe gets mad. Ishii slaps Gabe around! Gabe stands and fires a forearm, but Ishii CHOPS! Ishii whips corner to corner, but Gabe comes back, only for Ishii to SNAP POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Gabe stays in this but Ishii stands on him. Ishii sits Gabe up to KICK him in the back! Gabe stands right up, and he gets in Ishii’s face. Gabe UPPERCUTS and Ishii staggers back! Gabe CHOPS Ishii in the corner, CHOPS again, and CHOPS again! Ishii gets in Gabe’s face, then puts him in the corner to CHOP, CHOP, and CHOP!

Ishii eggs Gabe on, so Gabe turns things around and CHOPS! Gabe talks trash on Ishii, daring him to bring the NJPW fighting spirit! Gabe waits at center, and Ishii storms up to CHOP! Gabe flips Ishii off and CHOPS! Ishii CHOPS again! Gabe CHOPS again! The CHOPS keep going back and forth, the fans cheering Ishii and booing Gabe. “YAY! BOO! YAY! BOO!” Ishii wobbles but he CHOPS! Gabe CHOPS again, and Ishii grits his teeth to stay standing! The CHOPS continue! The fans fire up as these CHOPS just keep going! Ishii gets the edge, but then Gabe bails out! Gabe dares Ishii to fight him on the outside now!

The fans boo but Ishii says get in the ring! Gabe gets in the ring, and he CHOPS! Ishii CHOPS! The CHOPS continue! Both men huff ‘n’ puff but they stay standing! The fans fire up as Ishii CHOPS again! Gabe CHOPS again! The CHOPS just keep going! They might never stop, and the fans are loving it! Gabe finally staggers, and Ishii winds up to CHOP again! Gabe CHOPS, but Ishii CHOPS again! The fans hope they “CHOP FOREVER!” The CHOPS do continue, and Ishii gets the edge! Gabe snarls and CHOPS high! The fans boo but Gabe runs, but into a CHOP! Ishii reels Gabe in, but suplexes first!

But Ishii’s right up! He catches Gabe, spins him, and suplexes back! The fans fire up but Gabe GERMAN SUPLEXES! Ishii GERMAN SUPLEXES! Both men stagger, stagger around, and fall! The fans are thunderous, “This is Awesome!” Gabe and Ishii stir, and Gabe crawls to a corner. Ishii staggers and falls again, but Gabe struggles to stand. Ishii shouts at Gabe from afar, the fans rally up, and Ishii rolls his way back to center. Gabe manages to stand in the corner, so Ishii runs in and LARIATS! Ishii fires up and puts Gabe on the top rope. The fans rally again as Ishii climbs. Ishii tries but Gabe fights the superplex!

Gabe fires body shots, then he BITES Ishii’s ear! The fans boo, but Gabe brings Ishii up for a HANGING NECKLOCK! Gabe drops Ishii, soaks up the heat, then flips everyone off. Gabe dares Ishii to stand, talks trash, then reels Ishii in. But Ishii RISING HEADBUTTS! Gabe is stunned on the top rope, and Ishii climbs up after him! The fans rally up but Gabe again resists! Gabe fires HEADBUTT after HEADBUTT, but Ishii HEADBUTTS in return! Ishii then stalling SUPERPLEXES! The fans are thunderous and Ishii storms over to Gabe. Ishii sits Gabe up, runs, and SLIDING- NO, Gabe ducks the lariat!

Gabe swings but Ishii blocks! Ishii swings but Gabe blocks! Ishii SOUTHPAW DISCUS LARIATS! Cover, TWO!! Gabe survives, the fans rally up again, and Ishii drags Gabe up for a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Gabe survives again but the fans rally behind Ishii. Ishii powers up, runs, but Gabe ducks the lariat! Ishii fights the German Suplex, ROCKS Gabe, but Gabe UPPERCUTS and LARIATS! Cover, TWO! Ishii survives but now Gabe hauls him up, SAIDO! Cover, TWO! Ishii survives again and both men are down. The fans rally up, and Gabe sits up first. Gabe shakes out the stars and storms over to Ishii.

Gabe flips off the fans again, then drags Ishii up. Gabe reels Ishii in, but Ishii backdrops free! The fans fire up but Gabe stands. DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Ishii falls to his knees, but rises again. Gabe LARIATS, but Ishii stays up! Ishii LARIATS, Gabe rebounds off ropes, and he LARIATS! The fans rally as Ishii rebounds to LARIAT! Gabe LARIATS from all sides! Gabe runs, but Ishii LARIATS him down! Gabe’s right up to LARIAT Ishii! Ishii’s right up, but Gabe LARIATS again! Gabe brings down the kneepad, and he runs up, but Ishii blocks the knee! Gabe ROCKS Ishii, and O-KNEE!! Cover, ONE?!?!

The fans go nuts and Gabe is shocked! Gabe gets mad, he runs up again, but Ishii dodges to DRAGON SUPLEX! Gabe rises, Ishii ROCKS him! Gabe rebounds, into Ishii’s LARIAT! Cover, ONE!?!? Gabe rises, the fans boo, but he UPPERCUTS! Ishii HEADBUTTS, then LARIATS! The fans are thunderous as Ishii brings Gabe up, but Gabe suplexes! BRAINBUSTER!! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! The ref checks both men, they’re both okay to continue, and the fans rally up. A down count begins, but both Gabe and Ishii stir at 4 of 10. The fans rally up again, Ishii goes to ropes at 6, but Gabe is the one that stands at 8!

Gabe has the ref stop the count, he wants to finish this with Ishii. The fans fire up and Ishii storms up to Gabe at center. Ishii SLAPS Gabe, but Gabe CHOPS back! Ishii CHOPS again, so Gabe CHOPS again! The CHOP fight returns, but then Gabe winds up to ROCK Ishii! Or not, as Ishii comes back to ROCK Gabe! Gabe eggs Ishii up and he fires another forearm! Ishii ROCKS Gabe back! Gabe snarls and CHOPS! Ishii staggers back to ropes, the fans rally, and Ishii CHOPS! Gabe CHOPS! Ishii staggers, leans on Gabe, but then Gabe DOUBLE CHOPS! Gabe fires CHOP after CHOP and Ishii staggers around!

Gabe CHOPS again! And again! Ishii HEADBUTTS, Gabe HEADBUTTS, they HEADBUTT again and again! Then they both fall back! Fans hope these two “FIGHT FOREVER!” but the show’s only just started! Both men sit up, and they junkyard dog headbutt! The five minute warning hits, but Gabe HEADBUTTS Ishii. Ishii HEADBUTTS Gabe! Gabe SLAPS Ishii, so Ishii SLAPS Gabe! Now it’s a SLAP fight! Both men bob ‘n’ weave, then SLAP! SLAP! SLAP! They both roar, and the SLAPS fire off! Ishii ENZIGIRIS! Both men fall again and the fans fire up! San Jose shows respect for “Both These Guys!”

Ishii SLIDING LARIATS! Cover, TWO! Ishii roars and powers up! The fans fire up as Ishii brings Gabe in, but Gabe wrenches to LARIAT! Ishii stays up to RUNNING HEADBUTT! Ishii then gets moving, to LARIAT Gabe inside-out! Cover, TWO!! Gabe survives and the fans fire up! Ishii rises again, vows to end this, and he drags Gabe up. The fans rally as hard as they can, and Ishii suplexes. Gabe slips free, and has the COBRA TWIST! GROUND COBRA CRADLE! Ishii is stuck, but Gabe pushes him to the cover, TWO!! SLAP! PILEDRIVER!! Cover, TWO?!? The fans fire up and Gabe can’t believe it!

Gabe rises, he runs, and COMEBACKER LARIATS! Cover, TWO!??! Ishii survives again and we hit the two minute warning! Gabe drags Ishii around, stomps him, and the fans boo again. Gabe mockingly asks what’s wrong, but Ishii ROCKS him! Gabe ROCKS Ishii back! But Ishii fights the driver to spin and suplex! Gabe fights free, has Ishii again, PILEDRIVER!!! But Gabe clutches his knee, he can’t make the cover! Gabe crawls, but Ishii crawls away, and we’re literally at the last minute! Ishii goes to ropes, but he kicks at Gabe! Gabe rains down fists, then he hauls Ishii up! But Ishii fights the driver! THIRTY SECONDS!

Gabe CLUBS Ishii, DOUBLE CHOPS him, then fires PALM STRIKES! Ishii DECKS Gabe!! TWENTY SECONDS! Ishii hauls Gabe up but Gabe’s a ragdoll! TEN SECONDS!! Ishii suplexes for the BRAINBUSTER!!! But Gabe flounders away! TIME’S UP!!!

Time Limit Draw; Gabe retains the NJPW Strong Openweight Championship

The fans give a standing ovation for these two pushing the opener to its 30 minute limit! Gabe survives, and he grabs a mic to ask Ishii, “What happened?” Gabe wants to keep fighting! If Ishii wants to take Gabe to the limit, then in Chicago, April whenever the F (April 11th), 30 MINUTE IRONMAN MATCH!! BRING IT! They give junkyard dog headbutts and SLAPS even now! Young Lions separate them, and now both men have three months to prepare. Will it truly be a Windy City Riot when these two have one more dogfight?

NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships: West Coast Wrecking Crew VS Rocky Romero & YOH!

Royce Isaacs & Jorel Nelson took these titles off the Grizzled Young Veterans at Strong Style Evolved, but now they battle Azucar & Direct Drive! Will the WCWC stay NJPW Strong? Or will Roppongi Revise rewrite this story?

The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and let’s see who gets wrecked!

The teams sort out and the fans rally behind Rocky. Yoh starts against Jorel and the fans rally behind Yoh now. The two circle, tie up, and Jorel waistlocks, SLAMS, and floats all over Yoh! Jorel slaps Yoh around, drags him up and wrenches, but Yoh drop toeholds. Yoh straddles Jorel to slap him around! Jorel gets away, Yoh says kiss this. Jorel storms up and he puts Yoh on ropes. The ref counts, Jorel lets off, but then he wrenches Yoh’s arm! Jorel hits an ELBOW BREAKER, then a wristlock. Yoh rolls, kips up and wrenches back. Rocky tags in, Yoh hands Jorel off to a wrench! Rocky wrenches, then tags Yoh for another handoff!

Yoh wrenches and wrenches and wrenches, then he tags Rocky. Rocky climbs and drops AX HANDLES on the arm! Jorel clutches the elbow but Rocky & Yoh double whip. They bypass then drop toehold to basement DROPKICK! Royce runs in but into DOUBLE DROPKICKS! The fans fire up as WCWC bails out, and Yoh aims. Rocky builds speed, DIVE onto Jorel and PLANCHA onto Royce! But WCWC catch them both! Stereo stalling suplexes to the floor! The fans boo but Jorel puts Rocky in the ring. Jorel runs and dropkicks the legs out, Royce follows up with a knee to the side! Jorel comes back to cover, TWO!

The fans rally for Rocky but Jorel tags Royce. WCWC stomp Rocky in the corner, then Royce digs his boots in. The ref counts but Royce tags Jorel. Jorel steps in to stand on Rocky! The fans boo and the ref counts, but Jorel steps off at 4. Jorel brings Rocky up but Rocky CHOPS! Jorel UPPERCUTS Rocky, tags Royce, and then runs in, only for Rocky to BOOT him! Rocky BOOTS Royce, cravats, and he kicks off Jorel, only for Royce to block Sliced Bread! Royce flips Rocky around, Jorel runs in, CANADIAN HAMMER CUTTER COMBO! Cover, Yoh breaks it! The fans fire up but Royce TOSSES Yoh!

Royce stalks Rocky, drags him up, but Rocky CHOPS! Royce ROCKS Rocky, then CHOPS! Rocky ends up in a corner, Royce tags Jorel, and then Royce stands Rocky up. Royce feeds Rocky to Jorel’s POP-UP- NO, Rocky DDTS out of the bomb! Rocky dodges Royce, tilt-o-whirls, and DDTS! The fans fire up while WCWC is down! Rocky crawls, Yoh reaches out, hot tag to Yoh! Yoh climbs up to DOUBLE CANNONBALL! The fans fire up as Yoh fires forearms on WCWC! But Royce kicks low! Jorel runs in, Yoh BOOTS him! Yoh sends Royce into Jorel, then he DUMPS Royce! Royce stays on the apron, but Yoh pokes him in the eyes!

Jorel runs up, but Yoh RAMS into Jorel low! Yoh runs to FLYING FOREARM, and then he scoops SLAMS Jorel! The fans fire up for Yoh’s ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! KNEE DROP! Cover, TWO! SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Yoh wants a faster count but the ref says those were all fair. Jorel sputters but Yoh drags him up. Yoh reels Jorel in, suplexes, but Jorel fights it! Jorel suplexes but Yoh fights it! Yoh suplexes, Jorel slips free! Yoh RAMS Jorel into a corner, tags Rocky, and Rocky BLASTS Royce! Rocky comes back to ELBOW Jorel, then Rocky sets up for Yoh. POETRY IN MOTION! Yoh then suplexes Jorel to drape him on the ropes!

Rocky climbs a corner, and hits DRAPING DOUBLE STOMPS! Yoh runs to basement DROPKICK! Rocky covers, TWO! Royce returns to TOSS Yoh! Royce kicks Rocky, whips him to a corner, then runs up, but Rocky dodges! LARIT for Jorel in a corner! LARIAT for Royce in a corner! Rocky keeps going, that’s TWO-EVER! But then Jorel hits a FLYING CUTTER! #PopTheTank! And then CROSSFACE! Royce intercepts Yoh for a TEXAS CLOVERHOLD! RPG Revise endures submissions while the fans rally! Rocky crawls his way over with one arm, but Jorel switches to legs! ANKLE LOCK! But Rocky rolls to send Jorel into Royce!

Royce runs up but Rocky BOOTS him! SLICED ROCKY! Jorel runs up, Rocky catches him, and Rocky sends Jorel to ropes. Jorel rebounds, Yoh is there for 3- NO! Jorel ELBOWS Yoh away! Then he BOOTS Rocky! Jorel CHOPS Yoh, CHOPS Rocky, then says WCWC mother effers! Jorel runs, but into DOUBLE JUMP KNEES! Rocky hits a BACKSTABBER, Yoh reels Jorel in for a FALCON ARROW BOMB! Rocky high stack covers, but Royce breaks it! The fans fire up while all four men are down! Royce and Yoh stand first, and they fire forearms back and forth! Royce fires a flurry, then a ROLLING ELBOW!

Royce runs, but Yoh DROPKICKS him! Rocky gets Royce, whips him, but Royce reverses! Yoh’s SUPERKICK hits Rocky! Yoh panics, but then Royce sends Yoh into Jorel’s BOOT! Royce GERMAN SUPLEXES! Jorel goes to the corner while Royce stands Yoh up. Jorel goes up, and up, and Yoh moves, POP THE TANK hits Royce! Yoh SUPERKICKS Jorel! Rocky shoves Jorel, rebound and 3K!! Cover, TWO!! Jorel survives and RPG Revise can’t believe it! The fans fire up with Yoh & Rocky, and Rocky goes to a corner. Yoh drags Jorel up, Alabama Lifts him, but Royce slips a belt in! The ref grabs the belt from Jorel!

Jorel and the ref fight over the belt, as does Yoh, but then Royce full nelsons and pops Yoh up! HUSH MONEY PLEX! Rocky leaps, but into more HUSH- NO Rocky pops free and DROPKICKS Royce out! Jorel waistlocks, Rocky switches, repeat! Rocky O’Conner Rolls, TWO! Royce BELT SHOTS Rocky with the other belt! Jorel whips and POP-UP POWERBOMBS Rocky, to then CATAPULT him into Royce’s fireman’s carry! DEATH VALLEY BACKBREAKER COMBO! Double cover, WCWC wins!!

Winners: West Coast Wrecking Crew, by pinfall (still NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions)

It took some trickery, but Royce & Jorel keep these belts around their waists!

8 Woman Elimination Tag Match: Viva Van, HANAKO, Maika & Mina Shirakawa VS Johnnie Robbie, Trish Adora, Anna Jay & AZM!

As WrestleDynasty’s International Women’s Cup proved, women’s wrestling is strong all around the world! And so, eight rising stars from Stardom and AEW align in San Jose! The Hellbent Vixen, the 181cm Wonder Tower, the Crimson Cannon Empress and the Fighting Gravure Idol face Robbie Rocket, The AfroPunk, The Star of the Show & The High Speed Superstar, will it come down to the last woman standing?

The teams sort out and the fans all love Mina. But in the end, Hanako steps to Adora. The fans fire up and the bell rings. The tallest RAM each other again and again, and again, and again! They both roar, both run, and then RAM in again! The fans fire up as Adora runs, but Hanako follows! But all according to plan as Adora LARIATS her at the ropes! Adora then calls in the team and they go to lift Hanako! NJPW Elimination Tag Matches do allow for over-the-top-rope eliminations! But Mina and team hurry to save Hanako! The fans fire up as Mina’s team throw Anna, Robbie and AZM out! Viva & Maika then double whip to DOUBLE TACKLE Adora!

Hanako scoops Mina and stands over Adora for a FLIPPING SPLASH COMBO! Viva joins in, she and Mina run to slide and shimmy! Maika joins in on that last part, and Hanako kinda does, but she feels a bit awkward about it. The fans cheer all the same, and Hanako stands Adora up. Hanako suplexes but Adora resists it! Adora suplexes but Hanako resists! They fight for suplex control, then Adora kicks low. Adora runs but Hanako follows again, and she BOOTS Adora! Hanako runs, Adora tries to get away but she slumps against ropes. Hanako stomps Adora but the ref checks on Adora. The ref calls for a medic to check.

Robbie also checks on Adora, and helps her to the corner. Robbie tags in, but then sees Hanako so she tags Anna. Anna calls out Viva, and Hanako tags Viva in. The fans fire up as these AEW rivals meet again, and they run up! Anna dodges, takes a bow, and fans cheer. Anna dodges, Viva dodges, then Viva rolls and shimmies! But Anna SHOTGUNS Viva down! Anna whips Viva, Viva redirects and redirects, WHEEL KICK! The fans cheer and Viva takes a bow. Viva tags Hanako back in, and Hanako scoops Anna to SLAM! The fans rally as Hanako scoops again, but Anna fights free! Anna shoves Hanako away, tag to Robbie!

Robbie runs in, tilt-o-whirl crucifix takedown! Cover, TWO! Hanako whips Robbie to ropes, but Robbie victory rolls through! TWO! Robbie ducks Hanako’s boot, blocks the heel kick, and she trips Hanako up! Robbie runs and BOOTS Hanako down! The fans fire up and Robbie brings Hanako around. Hanako breaks free to ROCK Robbie! Robbie ROCKS Hanako! Then she backslides Hanako, TWO! Hanako escapes but Robbie KNEES her down! Cover, TWO! Hanako stays in this but the fans rally up. Robbie runs, but Hanako fireman’s carries! SAMOAN DROP! Robbie goes to a corner, Hanako runs up to SPLASH!

Hanako whips corner to corner, Robbie goes up and up, but Hanako catches her Code Breaker! And she turns it into a BIG suplex! The fans fire up and Hanako brings Robbie around. Torture rack and JP COASTER! Cover, Hanako ELIMINATES Robbie! And with Adora getting checked by medics, could Team AZM already be down 4v2? Speaking of AZM, she goes up, up and MISSILE DROPKICKS Hanako! The fans fire up as AZM kips up! AZM runs, tilt-o-whirls, but Hanako throws her away! AZM kicks low, but Maika steps in and snapmares AZM! Hanako drops a KNEE, then she and Maika run to DOUBLE BOOT! Cover, TWO!!

The fans fire up as AZM survives, and Adora’s back! The team still has three! Hanako torture racks, AZM slips free and comes back, LA MYSTICA into AZM SUSHI! AZM ELIMINATES HANAKO! The numbers are even but Viva Van CROSSBODIES from the top! Cover, TWO! AZM goes to a corner, Viva runs in, but AZM slips out! Anna joins in, DOUBLE LEG LARIAT int he corner! Then they run to DOUBLE SHOTGUN! Viva flounders, AZM tags Anna, and Anna runs up, but Viva goes up and over! UP KICK! Viva then hoists Anna up to an Electric Chair Lift! But Anna victory rolls it! ONE!! Anna has the QUEENSLAYER!!

Viva flails but she is caught! Viva TAPS, Anna ELIMINATES her! Team AZM has the lead, and AZM joins Anna. They intercept Mina with kicks, then double whip. Mina reverses to send Anna away, then she kicks AZM! Mina ELBOWS Anna, victory rolls AZM, and has the legs tied up! Anna runs up, but Mina catches her, DDT SNAP LOCK COMBO! The fans are thunderous for Mina, and Mina dares someone to bring it. Adora tags in, Mina kicks her and puts her on the apron. Adora went through the middle rope so she’s safe. Mina fires shots, drags Adora back in, but Adora fires more shots! They go back and forth and the fans fire up!

The shots go fast and furious, Mina ROCKS her! Maika joins in, they work to TOSS Adora! Adora goes up, over, lands on the apron, but DOUBLE SHOTGUNS knock her to the floor! Mina & Maika ELIMINATE Adora! Things are tied again at 2v2, but AZM runs up to ROCK Mina! Mina fights the suplex, so AZM shifts to roll Mina up! TWO, but AZM tries AZM SUSHI! Maika breaks it! Anna CLUBS Maika, whips her, and AZM whips Mina. AZM slides to trip both Mina & Maika, and then Anna DOUBLE BLOCKBUSTERS! Cover on Mina, TWO! AZM drags Mina up, whips her corner to corner, but Mina goes up, only for AZM to SHOVE her over!

Mina lands safe on the apron, fights AZM off, and hurries in to FLYING CHUCK! The fans fire up while Mina has AZM down! Mina goes up the corner, Anna and Maika scrap on the outside, and AZM stands. FLYING SLINGBLADE! Cover, Anna breaks it! Maika TOSSES Anna, and the fans fire up as Mina has AZM. GLAMOROUS- NO, AZM slips free, shoves Mina, but Mina DUMPS AZM to the apron! Mina sweeps the legs, but Anna SHOVES Mina! Mina and AZM fight on the apron edge while Maika goes after Anna! AZM BUZZSAWS Mina, but Mina ducks the Penalty Kick! AZM fights the roll-up!

AZM goes up the ropes but Mina avoids the double stomps! Mina uses a victory roll, but they BOTH fall to the floor! DOUBLE ELIMINATION! Now it comes down to Anna and Maika! The fans fire up as Anna kicks and whips Maika! Anna LEG LARIATS, then runs side to side for another LEG LARIAT! Anna goes the other way, LEG LARIAT! Anna finishes the hattrick and she puts Maika up top. Maika fights back, BOOTS Anna away, then hops in. Maika dodges Anna, runs back in, but into a BUCKLE SHOT! Cover, TWO! Maika survives, Anna grows frustrated, but she runs, into a POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO!

The fans fire up as Anna stays in this. Maika fires up and the fans rally. Maika brings Anna up, suplexes, but Anna fights free! Anna wrenches to DANGEROUS HOOK KICK, then BACKSTABBER! Anna goes up and the fans fire up! But Maika hurries to ROCK Anna first! Maika climbs up, fires more shots, then brings Anna up! Stalling SUPERPLEX! The fans are thunderous, Maika covers, TWO!! Anna survives and the fans fire up! Maika vows to end this, and she scoops Anna. Anna slips free, for the QUEENSLAYER!! Maika reaches out, but Anna becomes a backpack! Maika still makes it to ropes, and works ot throw Anna over!

Anna is on the apron, and Maika runs up to LARIAT! Anna holds on so Maika tries again! ROLLING ELBOW! Anna FALLS, Team Mina wins!

Winners: Viva Van, HANAKO, Maika & Mina Shirakawa, by ring-out

Empress Nexus Venus stands tall, along with their honorary member in Viva. Will Stardom, NJPW and maybe even AEW soon belong to #ENexusV?

NJPW World Television Championship: El Phantasmo VS Jeff Cobb!

The Headbanga’s 2024 was quite the roller coaster: exiled from Bullet Club; teaming with the Guerrillas of Destiny; being left behind by the Guerrillas of Destiny; and being diagnosed with cancer. But ELP overcame that dreaded disease, and he overcame three opponents at once at WrestleKingdom 19! Will ELP continue to be the star of NJPW World? Or will the Imperial Unit take this title back?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and it’s time for the “season premiere” of the ELP Show!

The bell rings and we’re on the clock. ELP and Cobb circle, tie up, and ELP headlocks. Cobb powers up and out, then he RAMS ELP! ELP stays up, sighs, then runs. ELP RAMS Cobb, but Cobb stays put. The fans fire up and ELP goes again, to RAM Cobb! Cobb isn’t impressed so ELP offers him a go. Cobb runs and he CLOBBERS ELP! But ELP kips up! ELP mule kicks, runs, and he RUSN Cobb over! But then Cobb kips up!? The fans fire up, Cobb dodges a superkick to scoop! ELP slips free, kicks and reels Cob in! Cobb fights free, ELP avoids the lariat, and then handsprings up! The fans cheer this opening exchange.

ELP and Cobb reset, then step up to each other. They bump shoulders, then ELP fires a forearm. Cobb doesn’t budge so ELP fires another. And then another! Cobb winds up to DECK ELP! The fans fire up as Cobb drags ELP back up, and TOSSES him across the way! The fans fire up and Cobb says touchdown! Cobb then deadlifts ELP into a suplex! ELP fires knees, drops down, but Cobb holds onto him! Cobb brings ELP back up, and then THROWS him away! The fans fire up and ELP almost cries in pain. Cobb stalks ELP, and drags him back to center. Cobb stomps on ELP, then stands on him! Cobb hangs ten on ELP!

Cobb mocks the ELP rocker fingers, but makes ’em hang loose. Cobb then steps off, and he “apologizes.” Cobb sits ELP up, but ELP CHOPS! And CHOPS! ELP fires forearm after forearm, and he brings Cobb to his knees! ELP winds up to ROCK Cobb again! ELP runs, but Cobb LARIATS ELP inside-out! Cobb drags ELP up, whips him to ropes, then scoops for a TOUR- DDT!! ELP turns things around on Cobb and the fans fire up! ELP and Cobb are both down, but ELP works his way up into a kip up! Cobb goes to a corner, ELP runs up to spin and CHOP! ELP knuckle locks, CHOPS, then goes up, up, jumps around, and around, then FLYING RANAS!

The fans fire up and ELP handsprings again. Then he LIONSAULTS! Cover, TWO! Cobb has power to spare but ELP stays cool. ELP brings Cobb up, straitjackets and torture racks, but that’s a lot to lift! We’re past five minutes, and ELP’s back gives up! Cobb RIPCORDS ELP into the ATHLETIC PLEX! Cover, TWO! ELP stays in this and the fans rally up. Cobb tells ELP to get up, then brings him around. Cobb whips, ELP grabs ropes! Cobb runs up, but into a BOOT! ELP runs up, but Cobb URENAGES, and FALLING HAMMERS! Cover, TWO! GACHIMUCHI onto KNEES! Inside cradle, TWO! ELP runs to PUNT, and BUZZSAW!

ELP STOMPS Cobb’s hands! ELP stands Cobb up, straitjackets, and then he fires forearms to the back! ELP torture racks, but Cobb’s still a lot to lift! ELP still gets Cobb up! SWINGING NECKBREAKER! Cover, ONE?!?! Cobb rises, into SUDDEN DEATH!! ELP goes to the apron, springboards, THUNDERKISS 86!! Cover, TWO!??! ELP hurries to haul Cobb up, but then Cobb jumps up to DROPKICK! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! The fans rally and duel while a standing count starts. Cobb is in one corner, ELP is in the other. Cobb snarls, runs corner to corner, but ELP goes up and over! ELP then ducks ‘n’ dodges to CROSSBODY!

ELP rolls, LIONS- NO, Cobb bails out, but ELP lands on his feet! ELP DIVES onto Cobb, and Cobb goes over the railing! The fans lose their minds and a ring count begins. ELP hurries into the ring at 6 of 20, but then he aims from the ropes! Cobb stands, but he hurries away! The fans boo, but ELP just changes to the corner! ELP uses the post to SUPER THUNDERKISS out into the crowd! The fans lose their minds as ELP wipes out Cobb and Young Lions! A new ring count begins, and both ELP and Cobb slowly stir. ELP borrows a fan’s water to take a drink. Cobb CLUBS ELP at the railing! The count is 10 of 20 as both men try to get over the railing while fighting.

ELP hops the railing, but Cobb reaches under to trip him! ELP SUPERKICKS Cobb away! ELP hurries but then Cobb TOSSSES Zane Jay at ELP!! The count hits TWENTY, it’s a DRAW!!

Double Count Out Draw; ELP retains the title

The fans are going wild, but “episode one” ends on controversy! The fans want overtime, and ELP and Cobb both get in the ring. They clearly want to keep going! The ref says the rules are the rules, 15 minutes is 15 minutes. The fans say “LET THEM FIGHT! LET THEM FIGHT!” but this will just have to be a cliffhanger. ELP tosses the belt aside and shoves Cobb! Cobb shoves him back, but the two stand down. Will they just have to wait for somewhere down the line to settle this plotline?

Sumie Sakai Retirement Mixed Six Tag: Sumie Sakai, EVIL & SHO VS Hiromu Takahashi, Mayu Iwatani & Yuka Sakazaki!

The living legend, the Ray of Sunshine, now reaches her sunset. And to honor the woman who helped build the Women of Honor Division in ROH, and who has held 13 different titles across the world, NJPW has built this star-studded crossover match! Though, why would Sumie Sakai team with the House of Torture? Sumie has known Evil & Sho since they were just Young Lions on excursion, and is hoping to show them the light! Will Sumie’s last match redeem The King of Darkness & Murder Machine? Or will the Ticking Timebomb, the Roaring Icon of Stardom & the Wrestling Magical Girl not even give them that chance?

Wait, who is this supposed Kamaitachi? That was Hiromu’s old persona while on excursion, is this House of Torture poking fun at him? And wait, where’s Evil? This is a Six Person Tag, but Sumie’s team is missing the third person! Hiromu’s entire team makes their entrances first, and still no King of Darkness. Hiromu poses with Mayu & Yuka for a photo op, and NOW Evil runs out here! Even Sumie is shocked as Evil attacks Hiromu from behind! And Sho even kicks the IWGP Women’s Champion! Then they mug Yuka! The fans boo but Evil & Sho soak it up. Sumie tries to reason with them, but Evil grabs a mic.

Evil tells Hiromu that he’s gonna pay for that stunt he pulled in Karatsu, and for thinking he could avoid The House of Torture by taking this tag match! They stand Hiromu up, Sho runs and BOOTS Hiromu down! Evil stands Hiromu up and wants Sumie to join in? Sumie didn’t sign up for this kind of match! Hiromu fights free, but Evil & Sho mug him. They double whip, the bell rings, and Hiromu ducks the double lariats to CROSSBODY Evil & Sho! The fans fire up, Sumie and Mayu run in to brawl, but Yuka joins in! Yuka waistlocks Sumie but Sumie kicks Mayu away. Mayu rebounds, both Sumie and Yuka duck the lariat, so Mayu keeps going to DIVE out onto Sho!

The fans fire up as Yuka goes up and up and CROSSBODIES Evil! The fans fire up as #MaYuKa high-ten. And now Sumie and Hiromu are in the ring! The fans rally up, Sumie is conflicted, but Hiromu gets the fans to cheer even louder. Sumie offers a handshake, Hiromu accepts, and they even hug! But then Sumie stomps Hiromu’s foot! Sumie is still willing to play dirty! Sumie wrenches, Hiromu wrenches, but Sumie rolls, kips up, and wrenches back. Hiromu asks if it’s okay, and Sumie says yes. He rolls, but then she covers! TWO! Hiromu is upset but Sumie rolls him up! TWO! Sumie runs, victory rolls, TWO!!

Hiromu swings, but into a SAYANAGI! ARMBAR! Hiromu flails, hurries to high stack, TWO but Hiromu deadlifts! Sumie slips free, but Hiromu CHOPS! The fans boo but Hiromu is confused. Hiromu CHOPS Sumie again, then whisp. Sumie blocks but Hiromu ROCKS her, puts her on ropes and KICKS the ropes! Hiromu runs but Evil trips him! The fans are torn, but then Sho distracts the ref so that Evil can JAM Hiromu up with a chair! Okay, now the fans boo because this is still not right. Evil puts Hiromu in, and he slides the chair to Sumie! Sho says do it, but the fans say “NO! NO! NO!” Sumie grabs the chair, to throw it away!

Sumie says neener neener to Evil, then stomps away on Hiromu in the corner! The ref counts, Sumie hops up, but Sho brings her down? Sho says this is how you do it! He digs his boots into Hiromu, then scoops to SLAM! Sho then picks Sumie up to SLAM her onto Hiromu! The fans boo but Sho & Evil soak up the heat. They also split the wishbone on Hiromu! The ref reprimands, but Evil throws his shirt at Yuka! Evil insults Yuka, but she throws the shirt back. So Evil KICKS Yuka down! Mayu storms in and throws hands, but Evil kicks her down, too! The ref reprimands Evil, but Hiromu CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS!

Evil CLAWS Hiromu’s eyes! Evil whips Hiromu to the corner, and surprise! Sho takes the blue buckle pad away! The House Special has been served! The fans boo more but Evil hauls Hiromu up for a COBRA TWIST! Sho reaches out, but Hiromu switches with Evil! Sho steps back as Hiromu now uses the rope for leverage! The ref argues with Sho now, as he still has the buckle pad in his possession, and this allows MaYuKa to reach out and link with Hiromu! The fans cheer as Evil tastes his own medicine! Wait, Kamaitachi and Sumie help out! And the fans, too! Evil gets an extra large helping of his medicine!

The fans cheer as Hiromu and everyone else get away with this, “This is Wrestling!” But then Sho kicks Hiromu down! The fans boo but Sho drags Hiromu up and whips him into the bare buckles! Hiromu flounders, Yuka runs in, but Sho kicks her! Sho whips Yuka into the bare buckles! Mayu runs in, Sho kicks her and whips her into the bare buckles! The fans boo more but Sho & Evil regroup. They bully Hiromu in a corner, then whip him corner to corner. They want Sumie to join in, and she tentatively walks over, but then they just kick her! They double whip Sumie at Hiromu, but Hiromu dodges!

Hiromu CROSSBODIES, but is caught! The House throws him back but Hiromu rebounds to DOUBLE SHOTGUN! Evil & Sho stagger, into DOUBLE MISSILE DROPKICKS from MaYuKa! Sumie still attacks Yuka, reels her in, but Yuka fights the suplex to cradle! ROLLING CRADLE! ONE! ONE! ONE! ONE! Yuka finally stops, deadlifts, and FISHERMAN BUSTERS! Cover, TWO! Sumie survives but Yuka sits her up. Yuka runs to SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Sumie survives again and the fans rally up. Yuka drags Sumie up, cravats, snapmare roll, but Sumie ducks the basement kick! CROSSFACE! Yuka rolls free, but into TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT!

Sumie fires up but Mayu kicks her! Sumie hits back, but Mayu ROCKS her! Mayu goes to run, but Sumie snatches Mayu’s lucky fox tail! The fans fire up, Sumie taunts Mayu with the tail, but Mayu SOBATS! Mayu whips, Sumie reverses, but Mayu slips out, in, and rolls Sumie for a SHOTGUN! The fans fire up with Mayu while Sumie goes to ropes. Mayu runs and DROPKICKS Sumie against ropes! Cover, TWO! Sumie survives yet again, but Mayu drags her up. The fans rally, Sumie breaks free and dragon sleepers. Yuka CLUBS Sumie into Mayu’s victory roll, TWO! MaYuKa DOUBLE SUPERKICK!

Sumie tumbles out, Sho runs in, but he gets pinballed around by MaYuKa! Sho gets fed up with it and he DOUBLE BODY BLOWS! Sho runs, into DOUBLE ELBOWS! Double snapmare, DOUBLE BASEMENT DROPKICK! Sho tumbles out, Evil is in, but he gets a DOUBLE SUPERKICK! He stays up, but gets double kicks down low! The fans fire up as MaYuKa DOUBLE- NO, Evil pulls hair to stop the suplex! So Hiromu SUPERKICKS! And now DOUBLE SUPLEX! The fans fire up for Hiromu’s team, and he helps Sumie up. “This is Awesome!” Hiromu says it’s time, and he fireman’s carries! But Sumie slips out to SMASH MOUSE!! Cover, SHO YANKS THE REF OUT!

The fans boo but Sho “apologizes,” since that ruined Sumie’s win. Then why do it? Evil CHOKES Sumie with a shirt!! The fans boo as The House of Torture turns on Sumie! They also beat down Hiromu, the fans tell Evil off, but Evil & Sho put one out on Hiromu. But then Yuka snatches Sho’s “Torture Tool,” and SMACKS him with it! Mayu CLAWS Evil’s eyes! Yuka scoops and hits the TEA TIME DRIVER! Evil pushes Mayu, then whips her at the corner. Mayu avoids the bare buckles, then dodges Evil! Evil hits bare buckles, and Mayu GERMAN SUPLEXES! Hiromu steals EVERYTHING IS EVIL! The fans fire up as Team Hiromu stands tall again!

Hiromu sees Sumie and tells her to rise. The fans rally up for “SU-MI! SU-MI!” but Hiromu helps her. Sumie ROCKS Hiromu! And ROCKS Mayu! And ROCKS Yuka! Repeat! Sumie keeps throwing shots so the new generation eggs her on! Sumie fires more and more shots, but she’s slowing down! The fans fire up as Sumie finds the strength to keep going! Even Kamaitachi is cheering her on! Sumie fires shot after shot after shot, and even some CHOPS, but she finally tires out! The fans cheer the legend on, but now Hiromu brings her around. Yuka hits a ROLLING ELBOW! Mayu hits a SUPERKICK! And Hiromu thanks Sumie, before hitting a HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER!

Hiromu brings Sumie around, TRIPLE cover, TWO?!?! Sumie still lives!! The fans are thunderous and Hiromu is all smiles. Nothing less from this absolute legend! Even the ref pounds the mat to rally behind Sumie! Yuka drags Sumie up, wrenches and hammerlocks to then lift her. Yuka spins for the MAGICAL MERRY-GO-ROUND! Sumie is in the drop zone and Mayu goes up! MOONSAULT! Hiromu drags Sumie back up, fireman’s carries, and swings Sumie for the TIMEBOMB 1.0!!! TRIPLE cover, Team Hiromu wins!

Winners: Hiromu Takahashi, Mayu Iwatani & Yuka Sakazaki, by pinfall

It’s a standing ovation as everyone shows their love, respect, and gratitude to Sumie Sakai! Sumie stirs, and she takes a moment to let the moment soak in. The fans chant, “Thank You, Sumi!” Sumie sits up in the corner, and she wants to thank her opponents for this match. Hiromu helps Sumie stand, as does Mayu, and the fans cheer some more. Sumie sits back down, but the others say she can’t go just yet. The ring announcer returns to say that Sumie has finished her last match. The fans cheer and give another standing ovation as Rocky Romero, Yoh, and more come out. The mic is then handed to Yuka.

Yuka tells Sumie, “Our history together may have been short, but it’s thanks to your presence that I can see these wonders. From the bottom of my heart, thank you very much! I look forward to learning from you from here on.” Yuka bows in deep respect and Sumie returns that bow. The mic is handed to Mayu, and she loudly says, “KONBONWA~! <GOOD EVENING~!>” Is this why she’s the Roaring Icon? Mayu admits, “I didn’t think I’d be here with a mic in hand, so I didn’t have anything prepared. Sumie-san, you’ve always put everyone else’s happiness ahead of your own. From now on, put your own happiness first and foremost.”

Mayu continues to say, “Sumie-san’s smile makes me so happy! Seeing your smile is number one!” Mayu says in both English and Japanese, “Thank you so much!” The fans cheer as Mayu bows and Sumie returns it, and then Mayu hugs her. Hiromu has the mic now, and he says he doesn’t have much to add to what Mayu & Yuka “expressed so beautifully.” Hiromu simply thanks her and says he looks forward to working with her in the future. Also, does she remember this jacket of his? “Meeting you, Devitt, Yuki & Princess have been the treasures of my life.” The fans cheer while Sumie tears up a bit.

Hiromu says the memory of those four people is in this jacket, and now he wants her to have it. The fans cheer as Hiromu adorns Sumie with the denim jacket covered in art, and they again chant, “Thank You, Sumie!” Sumie is then given a bouquet of flowers, and she stands so that she may speak. Sumie says that life can be hard, but it can also be good, and bad. She was crying so much, but today, she is the happiest wrestler in the world! The fans cheer that! Sumie says that is because everyone made her that happy. She thanks them all, and she loves them all! And with that, she drops the mic, and she welcomes the others back into the ring!

The fans again chant “Thank You, Sumi!” as she, Hiromu, Mayu, Yuka, Kamaitachi-chan, Rocky, ELP, Fred Rosser, Jeff Cobb, Yoh, TMDK, Team Mina and Team AZM, former ROH timekeeper Amy Rose, and even the Young Lions and the ref, all join in for a grand photo-op! Then they say hip, hip, HOORAY as they throw Sumie up in the air! Sumie then bows to all of them in thanks. And to wrap the retirement ceremony, the ring bell sounds ten times. Truly, #ThankYouSumie for everything!

Sho and Evil complain backstage.

The Murder Machine grumbles, “Why did they team us with that country bumpkin? I only did this because I wanted a shot at Hiromu! The ring was rampant with no-good country losers! Why’d you bring me to such a place?” Sho crawls away, and the King of Darkness says, “That punk (Hiromu) is on a roll now. Whatever. Either way, I’m not going back to Japan. Goodbye, New Japan! Got it? Remember it!” Wait, is Evil telling the truth? Is he effectively quitting NJPW? To do what?

NEVER Openweight Championship: Konosuke Takeshita VS KUSHIDA!

The Don Callis Family’s Alpha became a double champion and stayed a double champion through the big Tokyo Dome weekend, but now he’s being called out by the Time Splitter. Kushida has done all he can as a Junior Heavyweight, can he prove he’s ready for more? Or is Don Callis right in saying Konosuke is the best bell-to-bell wrestler today?

The introductions are made, the NEVER belt is raised, and we see who never gives up!

The bell rings and the fans rally up already. Konosuke and Kushida circle slowly, feel things out, then tie up. Kushida waistlocks, Konosuke turns around for a facelock, and they end up in a corner. The ref counts the break, Kushida lets off with a pat on the side, and the fans applaud. The two reset, circle again, and Kushida rolls. Konosuke keeps his distance, Kushida has a leg guard, but Konosuke still grabs a foot. Konosuke steps over as Kushida turns over, but Kushida slips out the back. They clinch, Kushida slips around to a waisltock, but Konosuke’s height helps him fight the drop toehold. Kushida still grapevines the leg to bring Konosuke down.

Kushida floats to a headlock, Konosuke fights up, but Kushida hits a takeover. Konosuke headscissors, Kushida kips free, and roles reverse as Konosuke hits the headlock takeover but Kushida headscissors. Konosuke kips free, the two stand off, and the fans cheer the exchange. Kushida and Konosuke reset and the fans duel. Konosuke offers a handshake, but Kushida isn’t so sure. How much has Callis influenced Konosuke? Kushida steps up and takes the handshake. But then Konosuke kicks low! Very much, it seems. Kushida fights the waistlock with elbows, then headlocks, only for Konosuke to power him to ropes.

Konosuke powers up and out, Kushida RAMS him, but Konosuke RUNS Kushida over! The fans fire up and Konosuke runs, but Kushida KICKS the leg! And KICKS it again! Kushida runs, but into a BOOT! Konosuke whips, Kushida reverses, but Konosuke TAKESHITA LINES! The fans fire up while Kushida bails out, and Konosuke pursues. Konosuke wrenches Kushida and whips him into the railing! The ring count starts but Konosuke CLUBS Kushida on the back. Konosuke then CHOKES Kushida on the railing! The ref reprimands, Konosuke stops, and the ring count is 10 of 20. Konosuke says be patient, but Kushida RAMS him into the apron!

Kushida hops up to MOUNTED ARMBAR, and he falls back to YANK Konosuke into a standard ARMBAR! The ref reprimands all the same, then counts, but Kushida lets go at 4. Konosuke hobbles away, the fans fire up with Kushida, and Kushida pushes Konosuke into the ring. Kushida then grabs the arm and wrenches it. Kushida puts Konosuke in a corner, and he grinds the hand against the ropes! The ref reprimands, Kushida lets go and Konosuke falls over. Kushida stands on the bad hand, then stomps it! The fans are torn while Konosuke goes to ropes. Kushida grabs Konosuke’s arm to wrangle him again!

Kushida traps the bad arm, then has the good arm, and he pushes down on them both. The fans rally as Konosuke endures, and Kushida falls back to DOUBLE SNAP LOCK! Konosuke hobbles to a corner, but Kushida goes up and has the arm! TORNADO ARMBAR DDT! Then a BRIDGING HAMMERLOCK! Konosuke endures but Kushida moves around and around. Kushida drags Konosuke by that bad arm, for another BRIDGING HAMMERLOCK! Konosuke endures, Kushida turns him, but Konosuke CLAWS Kushida’s eyes! Kushida lets Konosuke go and Konosuke goes back to the corner.

Kushida runs up, Konosuke puts him on the apron, and Konosuke bumps Kushida off the buckles! The fans rally, but Kushida climbs the corner! Kushida aims, and he FLYING KNEES the bad arm! Konosuke clutches the elbow and triceps, but the fans fire up as Kushida has the arm again. Kushida RAMS the shoulder, wrenches the arm, and hits an ELBOW BREAKER! Kushida wants the Kimura but Konosuke scoops him! And SLAMS him! The fans fire up, but Kushida KICKS away on Konosuke’s leg! That just pisses Konosuke off! He STOMPS Kushida right down! The fans fire up and Konosuke shakes the bad arm.

Konosuke aims from a corner, Kushida sits up, and Konosuke runs in, but Kushida blocks the knee! ANKLE LOCK! Konosuke endures, crawls, and he reels Kushida in, to LARIAT from below! Both men stand, Konosuke LARIATS Kushida from above! The fans fire up while both men are down! Konosuke rises, he drags Kushida up and reels him in, but Kushida fights the Blue Thunder! Kushida KICKS away on the bad arm! Konosuke CHOPS in return! Kushida fire sup to KICK the leg! And then KICK the leg! And then another KICK to the leg! Konosuke sits down, Kushida runs, but Konosuke avoids the Penalty Kick!

Konosuke rolls Kushida, Kushida rolls through, TANAKA FASTBALL! Konosuke swings back, but Kushida ducks to PELE! The fans fire up while Konosuke leans on ropes. Kushida whips, Konosuke reverses, but Kushida handsprings! But into the BLUE THUNDER BOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Kushida survives as Konosuke couldn’t use his bad arm to push Kushida down! The fans rally up, Konosuke goes to the corner, and he climbs! SUPER SENTON FLOPS and Kushida has the ARMBAR! Konosuke clasps hands, Kushida CLUBS away at those hands, and Kushida breaks the grip! Konosuke hurries to stack Kushida! TWO, and Konosuke deadlifts Kushida!

The fans fire up and Konosuke powers through to a fireman’s carry! And he pops Kushida into the tuck, BASTARD DRIVER!! Cover, TWO!! Kushida survives and the fans fire up again! The fans rally and duel while Kushida flounders to the apron. Konosuke slashes his throat, vowing to END Kushida! Konosuke drags Kushida up, scoops him, but Kushida fights with elbows! Kushida is free, but Konosuke runs up! Kushida hops down, Konosuke hits POST! Kushida then SWEEPS the legs and Konosuke lands on the apron! Kushida hops up, APRON KNEE SMASH! Then KNEE SMASH from apron to the floor!

The fans lose their minds and the ring count starts. Kushida refreshes the count so he can step through, and he has a FIGURE FOUR! Konosuke endures, the ref reprimands, but Kushida is letting the ring count climb! Konosuke grabs at the apron skirt but he can’t get a good grip. The count is 10 of 20, the fans rally as hard as they can, and Kushida puts on as much pressure as he can! We’re at 15! 16! 17! Kushida lets go at 18! Konosuke scrambles, he slides in at 19.999!!! PENALTY KICK!! PENALTY KICK to the arm! Kushida then goes up a corner and leaps, FLYING SPIKE-RANA!! Cover, TWO!!! The fans fire up and Kushida brings Konosuke up!

Kushida hooks a leg, BACK TO THE FUTURE!! Cover, TWO?!?! Konosuke survives and the fans are thunderous! Kushida grows frustrated but “This is Awesome!” The fans duel while Konosuke shakes out his bad arm. Kushida rises, waits on Konosuke, and then runs up to jump on! HOVERBOARD KIMURA!! But Konosuke powers through!? RAGING- NO, Kushida slips free, TANAKA- ALPHA ELBOW!! Konosuke’s fastball hits first, and he reels Kushida in! POWER- NO, Kushida sunset flips, just to get the ANKLE LOCK!! Konosuke gets the ROPEBREAK, but Kushida PENALTY KICKS th earm! And then SHOTEI!

Konosuke roars, so Kushida runs again! Konosuke blocks the Shotei, but Kushida SOUTHPAW SHOTEIS!! And then RIGHT-HAND SHOTEIS!! Konosuke is right up?! LARIAT!! Cover, ONE?!?!? Kushida shakes his head and Konosuke is shocked! The fans are thunderous as Konosuke rises! Konosuke drags Kushida up, powers up, and- SHOTEI from Kushida! Konosuke winds up again to ALPHA ELBOW!! Konosuke drags Kushida up, reels him in, and RAGING FIRE!! Cover, Konosuke wins!

Winner: Konosuke Takeshita, by pinfall (still NEVER Openweight Champion)

Kushida never gave up, but Konosuke never let up! Konosuke hits the homerun and keeps the Openweight Championship! Konosuke still shows Kushida respect, then takes the mic. “Hey, to those watching back in Japan, listen up. Now that I’m part of NJPW, there’s someone I have to face!” In English, Konosuke tells everyone to listen up. “Chicago! April 11th! HIROSHI TANAHASHI!” The fans like where this is going! “OI, Tanahashi… Your last US match… I challenge you! That date marks the end of The Ace. I will show you who is The Alpha.” The fans fire up for that one! Will Konosuke ruin Tanahashi’s final time in the United States? Or will the Final Road not end so soon?

Zack Sabre Jr. VS Hechicero!

The Front Man is IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, but he looks to clear up some blemishes on his record. The Alchemist of Lucha snatched a win in CMLL’s Arena Mexico last June, but ZSJ got his payback last August under Rev-Pro’s roof. These two incredible technical geniuses finally have their tiebreaker, will Hechicero #JustTapOut? Or will he be owed a golden ticket instead?

The bell rings and the fans rally up with “OLE~ OLE OLE OLE~!” ZSJ and Hechi feel things out, then knuckle lock. ZSJ rolls to wrench the hold, but Hechi manages double cording holds and a leg trip! But ZSJ headscissors in return! Hechi rolls that to have a take on Napalm Death, but ZSJ scoots back and slips free of that. The fans cheer this opening exchange and the two go again. They feel things out, Hechi steps on ZSJ’s foot, then grabs the other leg for spinning toehold! ZSJ waistlocks but Hechi fires elbows. Hechi has a double wristlock, then shifts to an ANKLE LOCK! ZSJ fights so Hechi spinning toeholds again!

ZSJ cravats, even with his leg trapped, but Hechi pushes him down. ZSJ manages to slips his long leg up and around, and now he has Hechi’s leg for a step-over toehold! ZSJ grabs the other leg for a STRETCH MUFFLER, going for his Napalm Death! Hechi fights back by bending ZSJ’s fingers, and the fans duel between them. ZSJ rolls back, keeps on one leg, and he hits his own spinning toehold! ZSJ ties up both legs but Hechi goes for one of ZSJ’s! ZSJ resists, Hechi reaches up to get an arm! Hechi has a spladle, TWO! ZSJ rolls Hechi into an INVERTED FIGURE FOUR! Hechi scoops back, to get ZSJ in an INVERTED BOW ‘N’ ARROW!

ZSJ fights to scoot back, they knuckle lock and stand, then ZSJ trips Hechi! ARMBAR! Hechi uses his legs to get at ZSJ’s legs, but ZSJ pulls on Hechi’s leg for a toehold! They both crank on the leg locks, but ZSJ slips up and around to then trap an arm! Hechi rolls, tries to stack ZSJ, but they end up in the ropes! The ref calls the break, Hechi lets off slowly, and the fans cheer. But then Hechi stands on ZSJ’s neck! The fans boo, but Hechi steps away, letting know he could’ve if he wanted to. The two reset, the fans fire up, and they tie up again. Hechi trips ZSJ, jackknife bridges, but then rolls to headscissor and squeeze!

The fans rally while ZSJ endures. ZSJ bridges back, moves around, pops free, and has the NECK TWIST! Hechi writhes but ZSJ reels him back into a headscissors. Hechi endures, ZSJ puts on the pressure, but Hechi rolls over. Hechi pushes ZSJ down so he can pop out the back, and then Hechi ties up the legs in an INVERTED DEATHLOCK! Hechi then grabs an arm, to SNAP ZSJ into a sideways surfboard! ZSJ reaches back, and he bends Hechi’s fingers! ZSJ gets up to SNAP the fingers! ZSJ playing this like a Villain and the fans rally up. Both men back away and reset. They feel things out, but Hechi KICKS low!

Hechi wrenches, pump handles, and rolls ZSJ! Hechi ties ZSJ up in his own version of Paradise, and then rolls ZSJ into a pretzel knot! ZSJ endures, slips free, and grabs Hechi’s arm! Hechi goes for the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer as the two reset again. The fans duel again as ZSJ and Hechi circle. ZSJ rolls but Hechi avoids the leg pick. Hechi facelocks, ZSJ spins around, but Hechi goes for an arm. Hechi steps over, loops around and drags ZSJ into an INVERTED MOTORCYCLE STRETCH! Hechi bridges to put on the pressure, but ZSJ shifts around to high stack! Hechi lets go of the arms but ZSJ gets the legs, MODIFIED FIGURE FOUR!

The fans cheer while Hechi endures, and he TWISTS one of ZSJ’s feet! A simple yet effective counter, and now Hechi ties ZSJ’s legs up in a FIGURE FOUR! ZSJ SLAPS Hechi, Hechi SLAPS ZSJ, repeat! The fans fire up as these two SLAP fight while still locked up! Hechi bails on the leg lock to get in ZSJ’s face. The ref has them back up as ZSJ is in ropes, but Hechi CHOPS! The fans fire up and want “OTRA! OTRA!” Hechi kicks ZSJ, then CHOPS! ZSJ nods, and says, “Mada mada.” Hechi CHOPS, ZSJ UPPERCUTS, and then ZSJ fires more UPPERCUTS! ZSJ runs, Hechi follows, SLEEPER at the ropes!

ZSJ pries free, wrenches, but Hechi blocks the Pele! Hechi has ZSJ in the ropes, but ZSJ uses that for a DRAPING LEG LOCK NELSON! Hechi fights free, and he puts ZSJ’s leg in the rope to STOMP it! The fans fire up as both men continue to show vicious innovation! Hechi and ZSJ shake out their sore limbs while catching their breath. They then runs in, Hechi scoops to BACKBREAKER! ZSJ goes to ropes, but runs back in, only for another scoop! ZSJ slips free, and has the IRON OCTOPUS! Hechi endures and pulls on a leg! Hechi shifts ZSJ into an Alabama Lift, and swings him for BANGARANG! The fans fire up while both men are down!

Hechi drags ZSJ back by his legs, but ZSJ slips out the back to trip Hechi! ZSJ hooks the legs, grabs the arms, and goes up, up and ROMERO SPECIAL! The fans fire up, but Hechi fights free! Hechi has ZSJ’s legs for a TWIST and FIGURE FOUR! ZSJ grabs at the legs but Hechi kicks him! The fans rally as ZSJ endures, moves around, and pulls on his own leg in hopes of getting free. Hechi KICKS ZSJ down, then pulls on the leg! ZSJ sits up, Hechi KICKS him again! ZSJ fights around, grabs Hechi’s hand, but Hechi kicks him! ZSJ falls back, but he has the ROPEBREAK! The fans duel again while Hechi lets go.

Hechi sits ZSJ up against the ropes, CLUBS away on him, then runs to SPLASH against the ropes! Cover, TWO! ZSJ stays in this and the fans rally up again. Hechi clamps on a SLEEPER, and he drags ZSJ up. Hechi hooks a leg to FLIP-OVER SHIN BREAKER! ZSJ flounders to the ropes, Hechi storms over, and he wraps ZSJ’s arm around the ropes! The ref counts, Hechi lets go at 4, and then Hechi drags ZSJ up. Hechi dragon sleepers and he inverted suplexes ZSJ to the top rope! But then ZSJ has a SLEEPER on Hechi! Hechi throws hands from below, then pulls on the arm to ELBOW BREAKER!

Hechi UPPERCUTS the bad arm, then climbs up, but ZSJ has him in a TOP ROPE OCTOPUS! The fans fire up but the ref counts. ZSJ lets go at 4, but Hechi throws hands! ZSJ hits back, the fans duel again, but ZSJ ROCKS Hechi! Hechi hops down, but comes back for a SUPER STEINER!! The fans fire up while ZSJ tumbles away! Hechi runs up, sunset flips, but ZSJ rolls through to PENALTY KICK! Both men are down again and the fans rally up. ZSJ drags Hechi up, UPPERCUTS, then UPPERCUTS again! Hechi gets around to waistlock, then he wrenches to CHOP! ZSJ wobbles, Hechi wrenches and whips.

ZSJ reverses, Hechi grabs ropes and avoids the dropdown! Then he gator rolls ZSJ by a leg, for a POINT-BLANK KNEE! The fans fire up while both men crawl away. ZSJ is in the corner, Hechi roars, and the fans fire up. Hechi runs in, ZSJ dodges, but Hechi goes up and out! Hechi HOTSHOTS ZSJ, goes up and SPRINGBOARD FLYING LARIATS! Cover, TWO! ZSJ stays in this and the fans rally up again. Hechi and ZSJ both rise, and Hechi kicks ZSJ. Hechi eggs ZSJ on, kicks him, then runs. ZSJ BOOTS the lariat, wrenches an arm, and PELES! ZSJ then scoops Hechi, ZACK DRIVER!! Cover, TWO! But into an ARMBAR!!

Hechi clasps hands, fights around, but ZSJ shifts to hammerlock that arm, and he goes for the other! CLARKY CAT!! Hechi endures, reaches out, but ZSJ grabs a leg! ZSJ moves around to then shift right for a STF!! Hechi has the ROPEBREAK! ZSJ lets go but the fans are thunderous! “This is Wrestling!” ZSJ storms up on Hechi, grabs an arm, but the ref reprimands as Hechi is still in the ropes. ZSJ STOMPS the arm! Hechi writhes but ZSJ comes back to grab that arm again. ZSJ drags Hechi up, wrenches, wrenches, but Hechi slips under to HEADBUTT! Hechi runs, goes up the ropes, and MISSILE DROPKICKS!

The fans fire up as ZSJ ends up in a corner. Hechi runs in, and he STEP-UP KNEES! High stack, TWO!! ZSJ survives and the fans fire up more! Hechi drags ZSJ around, hammerlock sone arm and stands ZSJ up! CONJURO BACKBREAKER!!! The fans fire up again as Hechi crawls to the cover, TWO!! ZSJ survives but Hechi is too tired to be upset! The fans rally as hard as they can as Hechi and ZSJ slowly rise. Hechi brings ZSJ up, tucks him in, and he wants the reverse Gory Especial! The fans freak out as Hechi marches around with ZSJ on his back! VERTA- NO, ZSJ sits up with core strength!

Hechi fights the victory roll, and he ELBOW DROPS ZSJ’s lower back! Hechi hurries to hook ZSJ up, but ZSJ switches the Cobra Twist onto Hechi! Hechi fights free, hits a HIP TOSS, and then gets space. But ZSJ UP KICKS him! Hechi returns to basement DROPKICK! ZSJ basement DROPKICKS! Hechi basement DROPKICKS again! Both men are down and the fans fire back up! “This is Awesome!” as both men run in! Hechi kicks, ZSJ kicks, then both men BOOT! The two go to ropes, the fans rally up, and ZSJ runs in! ZSJ slips free of the scoop but Hechi victory rolls, to DOUBLE STOMP INVERTED MONKEY FLIP ZSJ!!

REAR NAKED CHOKE, but ZSJ slips free! EURO CLUTCH!!! TWO!!! Hechi has the ARMBAR!! ZSJ shifts, Hechi powers him down, they roll, and Hechi yanks ZSJ into an Oklahoma Roll! TWO, ZSJ steps over, LA MAGISTROL! TWO, Hechi has the arms again! ROLLING CRADLE, but ZSJ slips free to jackknife, PRAWN HOLD! ZSJ WINS!!!

Winner: Zack Sabre Jr, by pinfall

Truly, this is what they mean by “blink and you miss it!” Thankfully this is the age of streaming and being able to rewind! But in the end, ZSJ snatches away the tiebreaker win, truly establishing himself as perhaps the best today! But both ZSJ and Hechi still want more from the other, when and where will we see these two take it to a fourth round?

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: El Desperado VS Taiji Ishimori!

WrestleKingdom 19 was The Rogue Luchador’s win, but not the way he wanted it. And then he enters the Lucha Gauntlet for WrestleDynasty, and loses because of the golden bull’s eye on him! Will Desperado prove he is still the Best of the Super Juniors? Or will the Bone Soldier be victorious by God’s Grace?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and it’s time to end this Battle in the Valley!

The bell rings and the fans rally up already. Despy and Taiji stare down, circle, then feel things out. Taiji waistlocks, Despy spins around but they end up on ropes. The ref counts, Taiji lets off slowly, and he promises a clean break. Taiji pats Despy on the shoulders, then backs off. The fans cheer, and Despy says okay then. They tie up, Taiji waistlocks, but Despy wrenches free. Taiji uses ropes to flip through and he hammerlocks in return. Despy goes to ropes, steps through, then steps back in to wrap Taiji’s arm around the ropes! The fans cheer, the ref counts, but Despy shifts to a headlock.

Taiji powers up but can’t power out as Despy holds on tight! Despy hits a headlock takeover, Taiji headscissors, Despy kips free, and Taiji jumps over the sweep! Taiji headlocks, Despy powers out to headlock back. Taiji powers out, then he arm-drags Despy! Things speed up, but Taiji avoids the arm-drag! Taiji headlocks and grinds Despy down. Despy fights up but Taiji cravats for the neck wrench. Despy breaks free, but the cravat is back! Despy breaks free again, but again Taiji cravats. Despy snapmares free, then he RUNS Taiji over! The fans cheer while Despy “fixes” his neck. Despy stands Taiji up and whips corner to corner.

Taiji reverses, runs up, but Despy put shim on the apron. Taiji blocks a shot, RAMS Despy, then slingshots, into an UPPERCUT! Despy builds speed and DIVES, into a GAMANGIRI! Taiji takes Despy down and the fans are torn. Taiji drags Despy up, wrenches him to a hammerlock, then he POSTS Despy’s shoulder! The fans boo but Taiji acts like he doesn’t know why. The ref checks Despy, and Taiji removes the blue buckle pad! Taiji hides that fact while Despy rises up. The fans rally, Despy rolls into the ring, and Taiji storms up on Despy. Taiji CLUBS Despy, Despy fires forearms, but Taiji CLUBS him again.

Taiji whips Despy into the bare buckles! Now the ref sees and he reprimands Taiji! The fans boo but Taiji grins while he acts like he can’t hear them. Taiji stalks Despy, drags him up, and wrenches an arm. Taiji whips Despy just to WRING him out! Despy writhes, then he rolls away to ropes. Taiji storms over, and he wraps the bad arm around ropes! The ref counts, Taiji lets go at 4, then he has the arm again! The ref counts again, Taiji lets go at 4 again, and he backs off this time. The fans boo but Taiji drags Despy up by the bad arm. Taiji snapmares Despy, then PULLS on the arm! Despy writhes but he fights up.

Taiji stops the stack by powering Despy back down! Despy fights back up, but Taiji wrangles him again! Despy fights, rolls, but Taiji slips under to hammerlock the bad arm. Taiji half nelsons the other arm but Despy fights around to the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Taiji lets go at 4, and the fans rally up again. Taiji steps on Despy’s hand, then CLUBS Despy down. Taiji stands Despy up, hammerlocks the arm, but Despy fights the scoop! Despy fires body shots, the fans cheer him on, and he scoops, only for Taiji to hit a double wristlock takedown! Taiji has the double wristlock but Despy scrambles to the ROPEBREAK!

The ref counts, Taiji lets go, and Despy bails out. Despy leans on railing and the fans cheer him on, but Taiji fetches Despy into the ring. Despy fires forearms but Taiji KICKS the bad arm! Despy falls back, but he stands up, only for Taiji to hammerlock and POST him! The fans boo more, but Taiji just soaks it up. Taiji brings Despy around again, hammerlock and scoop, SHOULDER BUSTER! Despy writhes but Taiji aims from the corner. Taiji runs up, but into an ELBOW! Taiji BOOTS the bad arm, whips, but Despy reverses. Taiji handsprings, but into a BIG back suplex! The fans fire up for Despy while he goes to a corner.

Despy waits on Taiji, Taiji rises, and Despy runs in. Despy ELBOWS Taiji in a corner, then suplexes for a BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Taiji stays in this but the fans rally behind Despy more. Despy drags Taiji up, whips him to ropes, but Taiji reverses to RAM the arm! Taiji WRINGS Despy out, then he soaks up the heat. Despy goes to a corner, Taiji runs in, but Despy dodges! Despy blocks a kick, puts the leg in the ropes, then he dropkicks the other leg! And he DRAGON SCREWS it, too! Taiji writhes now but Despy hauls him up, SHIN BREAKER and DRAGON SCREW! Then a LEG DROP on the knee!

Despy has Taiji in the INDIAN DEATHLOCK! Taiji endures, but he also has to keep his shoulders up. Taiji CHOPS away on Despy, and Despy “falls,” putting pressure on the hold! Taiji endures, reaches out, and he drags himself closer to ropes. But Despy makes the hold part CALF KILLER! Taiji still gets the ROPEBREAK! Despy lets go, the fans fire up, and Despy brings Taiji around. Taiji throws hands but there isn’t much to them. Despy taunts Taiji, then stomps the bad leg! Despy gut wrenches, but Taiji slips free! Taiji sends Despy to a corner, then he blocks boots! Taiji puts Despy in the ropes, ENZIGIRIS, then runs side to side, SLIDING GERMAN!

The fans are torn while Despy writhe. Taiji goes to the apron and he has Despy out there with him. The fans boo but Taiji wrenches the arm, and WRINGS it onto the apron! The ref reprimands but Taiji just soaks up the heat from San Jose. Taiji walks off the pain in his legs and lets the ring count climb. Despy sits up, but his left arm just hangs there. Despy stands at 6 of 20, and uses the railing to YANK the arm back into place. Despy slides in at 12 of 20, but Taiji goes COAST2COAST! Taiji is fired up but the fans are torn as he brings Despy up. Taiji wrenches the arm but Despy fires body shots. Despy is free, but Taiji scoops him! CIPHER UTAKI!

Despy sputters, Taiji clutches his knee, but Taiji crawls to the cover, TWO! The fans rally up while Taiji slaps his leg into working. Taiji goes to the apron, then climbs a corner. Taiji aims for a 450- NO, he has to roll through as Despy moves! Then Despy CHOP BLOCKS the bad leg! STRETCH MUFFLER! Taiji endures, but Despy rolls him from the ropes! Taiji uses that roll to get the chicken wing! BONE LOCK!! Despy endures, fights around, and the fans fire up! ROPEBREAK! Taiji lets go in frustration but the fans cheer. Taiji rises, takes aim, and BANG! The fans boo but Taiji drags Despy up. But Despy fights the underhooks!

Despy fires a forearm, Taiji fires a flurry! Despy DECKS Taiji with an elbow! The fans fire up and Despy drags Taiji back up. Underhooks and- NO, Taiji wrenches out to JUMP KNEE! Despy goes down in a heap but Taiji roars! The fans boo but Taiji brings Despy back around. But Despy wrenches out, spins Taiji, and underhooks! PINCH- NO, Taiji BACKDROPS and BRIDGES! TWO as Despy bridges up! Underhooks are still in, but Taiji fights the lift! Despy just hits a FACEBUSTER! And then he rolls through to haul Taiji up, for PINCH- NO, Taiji sunset flips! TWO!! Despy escapes, but now is in the BONE LOCK!!

Despy fights around, reaches out, but Taiji rolls him away from ropes! BONE LOCK!!! Despy endures, the fans rally as hard as they can, and Despy fights around! Despy reaches out, but Taiji rolls him away again! Then underhooks, BLOODY CROSS!!! But the bad knee holds Taiji back! Taiji crawls to the cover, ROPEBREAK!! Despy survives by a literal foot and Taiji is beside himself! Taiji again says BANG, and he drags Despy back up. The fans rally, even start to duel, but Despy RAMS Taiji into the bad buckles! Taiji writhes from tasing his own medicine, and the fans rally up again! Despy and Taiji go to opposite corners, then stand.

Taiji runs up to tilt-o-whirl, but no Mystica! GUITARA DEL ANGEL! Cover, TWO!! Taiji survives but Despy fires up! The fans are with Despy as he drags Taiji back up. Despy underhooks to PINCH- LA MYSTICA!? BONE LOCK!!! Despy scrambles, Taiji rolls him away! But Despy slips through to STRETCH MUFFLER!! NUMERO DOS!! Taiji endures, reaches out, and he uses core strength to sit up! But Despy fights the Destroyer! He tucks Taiji in, for a DUDE BUSTER!! Cover, TWO!!! Taiji survives and the fans are thunderous! “This is Awesome!” as Despy drags Taiji up. Taiji pushes free, and he throws a punch, but there’s nothing to it!

Despy drags Taiji up, underhooks him, JAY DRILLER!! Despy holds on, and he drags Taiji up for the PINCHE LOCO!! Cover, DESPY WINS!

Winner: El Desperado, by pinfall (still IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion)

It was quite the Battle in the Valley, but it seems Taiji could not use grace as a cheat code to win. Will he just have to fight even harder if he wants to be champion again?

As for Desperado, he has the belt on his shoulder as he gets the mic. In English, he thanks everyone for coming to the show. But he also admits his English is not so good, sorry. Despy does not some fans were cheering Suzuki-Gun, but uh, Suzuki-Gun is over. But Despy still respects Minoru Suzuki, and no matter what, Suzuki-Gun is still number one. Okay, you guys? The fans cheer that! But again, Suzuki-Gun is done, so this time, cheer NJPW, okay? The fans also cheer that. Despy thanks them, and says NJPW is ICHIBAN!! The fans cheer again, and Despy leaves it at that. The first defense is done, who will be next for the Rogue Luchador?

My Thoughts:

An awesome Battle in the Valley, and it partly makes me feel bad I missed Strong Style Evolved, I would’ve liked to see WCWC VS GYV for those tag titles. Now, obviously these titles were all retained, but as I’ve said in the past, keeping the status quo is fine so long as it’s done in great matches. Gabe VS Ishii opening was a surprise, but seeing them go the full 30 minutes was an awesome way for Gabe to retain the title. And now Windy City Riot having a 30 minute Ironman match is going to be awesome stuff. Though something about that is interesting, because if they didn’t lose a fall in 30, there’s a chance we get like one fall with just minutes to spare and then time runs out before the other guy can tie the score.

Great openweight tag title match, getting a win over Yoh & Rocky is great for WCWC as they’re still a younger team. But at the same time, it was with a great Heel cheat spot, that’s totally fine. The 8 Woman Tag was a lot of fun, but a little scary there with Adora needing a moment. She perhaps just got the air knocked out of her from all those combo moves. But Team Mina, which was basically her faction of Empress Nexus Venus from Stardom, was a good choice for winning. Mina only just lost the Rev-Pro Women’s title, she needed a rebound. But Anna Jay got to look strong as her team’s final woman, maybe Anna can get herself to a NJPW women’s title.

ELP VS Cobb being a draw of its own kind was great stuff, mostly because Cobb threw another man to take out ELP. I’m sure they’ll have a rematch, maybe part of prime NJPW programming, and maybe ELP gets a win. The Sumie Sakai Mixed Six was such a fun match, a very unique way of doing a retirement match but also a unique Mixed Six. The House of Torture got some comeuppance while Sumie got to look superhuman, and Sumie taking all those big moves before losing is a great way in-ring to show her respect. Then we got a great retirement ceremony, this all honestly could’ve closed the show, but this is still a NJPW event so NJPW things need to main event.

Konosuke VS Kushida was great, great win for Konosuke and certainly a great first match for Kushida in an openweight division. Konosuke calling out Tanahashi for Windy City Riot is wild, and that is going to be a stellar match. ZSJ VS Hechicero was world title worthy, maybe even main event worthy, but it makes sense this was second-to-last since it wasn’t for the title. Great win for ZSJ, making him 2-1 with Hechi, and it’d be great if they could arrange the next match for Forbidden Door: London. And then a great main event from Desperado and Taiji. Great storytelling of how both men know each other given their rivalry, but then great win from Desperado. Despy making his closing promo a shoutout back to Suzuki-Gun was great, and I’m sure a prime NJPW event will be where Despy finds a new challenger.

My Score: 9/10

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AEW Coverage

Mitchell’s AEW Collision Results & Report! (1/11/25)

Collision gets Rated R!

Published

2 days ago

January 11, 2025

Steven Mitchell

It’s another Collision between #RatedFTR and The Learning Tree!

Last week’s Six Man Tag wasn’t enough to settle things, so now Adam Copeland goes 1v1 with “Big Bill” Morrissey! Can the Redwood cope with Cope?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Adam Copeland VS “Big Bill” Morrissey; Cope wins.
PAC VS Komander w/ Alex Brahantes; Pac wins.
The Outrunners VS Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta; Claudio & Yuta win.
Mariah May VS Harley Cameron; Mariah wins.
Brody King w/ Julia Hart VS Trevor Blackwell; Brody wins.
AEW TNT Championship: Daniel Garcia VS Katsuyori Shibata; Garcia wins and retains the title.
Dax Harwood VS Chris Jericho; Jericho wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Harley Cameron speaks.

Or rather, sings, “Feel the Wrath!”

Mariah May speaks.

“Tonight, it’s hot girl graps. Well, for one of us.” Mariah is the Women’s World Champion, the Woman From Hell, and she’ll make it so Harley will never sing again, because Mariah’s gonna rip out those vocal cords and throw them into the third row. Mariah’s all smiles, but will she make this anything but pleasant?

The Learning Tree Speaks.

The Redwood, “Big Bill” Morrissey says that as The Learning Tree, Chris Jericho, always says, “Brevity is the soul of it.” And while “Cope” may have shortened his name, Bill’s gonna shorten Cope’s career. Chris Jericho says last week, they proved Cope is a Dope, so tonight, Jericho shows that Harwood is no good! Bryan Keith says it’ll be a clean-ass sweep! Jericho then waves and says, “Bye, guys.”

Rated FTR speaks.

Dax says Jericho’s Learning Tree gets chopped down by Dax The Ax! And Cope says he’s been called many things, from Paul Bunyan to a lumberjack, and that is apropos because he’ll chop down that Redwood right now! See ya, boys! Cope heads to gorilla, Cash has the honors of saying #TopGuysOut. Will Collision once again be Rated R?

Adam Copeland VS “Big Bill” Morrissey!

Athens, Georgia is fired up to see the Rated R Superstar, but of course Jericho joins commentary, Bryan Keith by his side. Will The Learning Tree make Cope RESPECT Chris Jericho? Or is a Redwood about to fall?

The bell rings, the two tie up, and Cope manages to push Bill back step by step! The fans rally, but Bill powers Cope all the way to a corner! Cope bounces off buckles, bails out of the ring, and Bill soaks up the heat. Cope shakes off hitting buckles but Bill storms out after him. Bill runs up, but Cope drop toeholds him into steel steps! Cope then SMACKS Bill off the apron, then off the barriers! The fans fire up as Cope bumps Bill off railing, then off the desk! The fans fire up, Jericho protests, but Cope DRIBBLES Bill more! Jericho warns Cope, but Cope lets off and the fans fire up more! Jericho tells fans to shut up but Cope leaves Bill behind.

Jericho coaches Bill up, but Cope drags Bill to the apron! Cope fires forearms, then runs, but Bill dodges! Bill CLUBS away on Cope in the ropes! The fans boo but Jericho says that’s what Cope deserves! Bill then hops down, so he can BOOT Cope! Cope tumbles to the floor, Bill soaks up more heat, and the ring count begins. Bill drags Code up, to SNAKE EYES off the desk! Jericho is okay with it when it’s Cope taking the desk to the face. The fans duel, Bill SMACKS Cope off the apron, then he SMACKS Cope off steel steps! Bill refreshes the count, taunts the fans, and he stands Cope up to scoop, SNAKE EYES to the steps!

Cope falls back, Jericho and Keith applaud, and Jericho even high-fives Keith and Bill. Bill refreshes the ring count, then he drags Cope up. Bill puts Cope against railing, and puts some stank on the CHOP! The fans are torn, Bill mocks Cope’s pain, then Bill scuffs Cope. Cope stands Bill up, to CHOP him down again! Bill refreshes the count yet again, and he gets the fans to boo him louder. Cope rolls into the ring, but Bill puts him on the apron! Bill CLUBS Cope, taunts him with the rock ‘n’ roll hands, then CLUBS Cope again! Cope slumps down, Bill stands him up! Bill hits SNAKE EYES off the barriers!

The fans boo while Bill mockingly asks if Cope is okay, and Collision goes picture in picture.

Cope reaches out in a daze but Bill leaves him behind. Bill refreshes the count, taunts Cope and the fans, then stands Cope up. Bill whips Cope hard into railing, and Cope slumps down again. Bill storms up on Cope, stands him back up, and blows a kiss to the fans. Bill puts Cope in the ring, stalks him, and soaks up more heat. Cope sits up, but Bill CLUBS him back down! Bill stands on Cope’s neck! The ref reprimands, counts, but Bill steps away at 4. Cope goes to ropes, Bill CHOKES him, but the ref counts again. Bill stops at 4, then stands on Cope’s neck! The ref counts, Bill steps off again, and Cope sputters under the ropes.

Bill soaks up more heat, then goes back to bring Cope up. Bill puts Cope in a corner, winds up, and UPPERCUTS! Bill mockingly claps for Cope, then grabs Cope’s arms. Bill traps one arm and then clamps on a neck wrench! Cope endures, Collision returns to single picture, and the fans rally up. Cope fights up, fires shots at the big legs of Big Bill, and the fans fire up more! Cope short arm LARIATS, but Bill stays up! Cope fires LARIAT after LARIAT, Bill wobbles, then Cope runs. Bill choke grips Cope, but Cope kicks the legs! Cope fires KNEES into Bill’s face! Cope then runs to BLINDSIDE LARIAT! Bill is down! Cope hurries to cover, TWO!

The fans rally for Cope as Bill is still in this. Bill goes to ropes, Cope storms over and whips. Bill reverses, Cope ducks ‘n’ dodges, but Bill hits a BIG BOSS MAN SLAM! Cover, TWO! Cope survives and the fans fire up, but Jericho still loves seeing Bill “drop the hammer” on Cope. Cope sputters, Bill calls to Jericho, and Jericho goes over to talk with his Branch> The ref says no, Jericho needs to stay back. But Bill yanks a buckle pad away! Cope stagger sup, Bill scoops, and Bill aims for that corner! But Cope slips free! Bill avoids the buckle, then puts Cope on the apron. Cope ROCKS Bill, HOTSHOTS him, then hurries back up!

Jericho plays dumb about the buckle pad while Cope climbs. Bill UPPERCUTS Cope, and Jericho says Cope’s outta hope! Bill climbs up to get Cope, but Cope fights the suplex! Cope fires body shots, then he CLUBS away on Bill’s back! Cope BUMPS Bill off the steel! Jericho is furious, but Cope still POWERBOMBS Bill!! Cover, TWO?!? Bill survives and Jericho is relieved. The fans rally up and Cope goes to a corner. Bill goes to the other, and it’s the very corner with the bare buckle Cope runs in, but Bill HURDLES! Cope hits the bar buckle! Bill BOOTS Cope down! Cover, TWO!! Cope survives and shocks everyone!

The fans fire up but Bill takes aim. Cope stands, Bill has the choke grip! CHOKE- NO, Cope slips free, for an IMPALER DDT!! Bill flounders and Cope goes to a corner! SPEAR!! Cover, TWO?!?! Cope is shocked and even Jericho can’t believe Bill survived! Athens is going nuts as Jericho shouts for Bill to get back up! Bill grabs Cope from below! Cope shoves the ref to LOW BLOW!! SPEAR!!! And then HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS!! Cope is sending a message to Moxley before clamping on a REAR NAKED CHOKE!!! Bill is OUT, Cope wins!!

Winner: Adam Copeland, by submission

Jericho is furious, so he and Keith storm the ring! They beat Cope down, but Cope wasn’t even making this about them! Cope was calling out the Death Riders, but here comes FTR! Dax brawls with Keith, Cash TACKLES Jericho, and now refs rush out here! The fans rally for Rated FTR, but now security has to hurry to stop this! The fans want to “LET THEM FIGHT!” but for the sake of tonight’s main event, the two sides must be separated! Chris Jericho has his Learning Tree regroup, will things only be more violent when the ROH World Champion goes 1v1 with Dax?

Hangman Page speaks.

“I have worked so hard in my wrestling career to protect my family from the kind of prying eyes, the kind of intrusions that even a small amount of fame can bring. And in one night, all of that work was undone. And it nearly tore my family apart. And though it didn’t tear my family apart, it broke me. Because for the first time, I was ashamed! I was ashamed to come here every week, I was ashamed to stand in front of the world, and I was ashamed to look my wife and my son in the eyes after what I allowed to happen to them! And I knew after awhile, that I had to make a decision. I could either remain the husk of a man that I was…

“Or I could do something about it. So I found Swerve Strickland. And I made sure that he did not hold the AEW World Championship. And I severed the ties to the last hope that he had that he could build a family and a home like I had! And in September, I all but spilled his brains in front of the world. Christopher Daniels, I know, I understand what you are trying to say to me. And I humored you, maybe for too long, because of who you were. When I met you 14 years ago, I was just a kid, and you were the first wrestler I’d met that had ever done anything, who told me that I could, too.

“So I humored you for awhile. But I listened for too long. And last Saturday, you crossed a line when you laid hands on me. And for that, you will pay the price. Saturday on Collision in Cincinnati, Maximum Carnage, Christopher Daniels, I will see you… in a TEXAS DEATH MATCH. And I need you to understand this going into Cincinnati. I have decided who I will be. And I will wake up every morning and I will make that same decision over and over again, because I would rather injure and maim, I would rather tear every life on this Earth apart, than be the man that I was last year.

“CD, you have made your bed. And next Saturday, I lay you down in it… forever.” The Cowboy has called his shot, but will The Fallen Angel make sure to strike first?

PAC VS Komander w/ Alex Brahantes!

The Bastard is back in action, and he’s surprisingly alone right now. The Commander of the Skies wants his revenge on The Death Riders and they want revenge on him, how will walk away from this Collision?

The bell rings and the fans rally up. The two tie up, Pac puts Komander on ropes, but the ref counts. Pac shifts to a cravat and snapmare, but Komander handsprings through! The fans cheer, the two tie up again, and they end up on ropes again. Pac lets go to then headlock, and Pac hits a takeover. Komander endures the grind, fights up and around, and Komander powers up and out. Pac RUNS Komander over, tells the fans to hush, but the fans boo instead. Things speed up, Pac handsprings over the dropdown but Komander runs up. Pac scoops but Komander slips free, only for Pac to kick low.

Pac whips, Komander reverses to hip toss! Pac is right up but Komander MONKEY FLIPS! Pac lands through! Komander ducks ‘n’ dodges to jump and RANA! Pac tumbles out, Komander keeps moving, and Komander rolls to slow-mo roll and RANA! The fans fire up for that tricky move, and Komander goes to the far side. Komander climbs up, tightrope walks, and he salutes for the SPACEMAN MOONSAULT! The fans fire up and Komander puts Pac in, to then springboard and CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Pac escapes but Komander storms up. Pac kicks low and he sends Komander into buckles!

Komander sputters, Abrahantes coaches him and the fans rally up. Pac digs his boots into Komander’s face, the ref counts, and Pac lets off at 4. The fans boo but Pac soaks it up, while also standing on Komander! The ref reprimands, Pac steps off, but he drags Komander up. The fans rally, Pac mocks them, and he TOSSES Komander out. Pac goes out to then send Komander into railings! Komander falls, the fans boo, but Pac soaks it up. Pac stomps Komander, digs his boots in, but the ref counts. Pac steps off, and he glares at Abrahantes. The Hype Man asks what happened to Pac that he’s like this, but Pac goes to the ring.

Komander crawls, Abrahantes coaches him up, and Komander is back in. But Pac runs corner to corner, but Komander dodges! But then Pac dodges! Pac BOOTS and Komander sputters while slumped against ropes. Pac pushes Komander down and covers, TWO! Komander stays in this but Pac stalks him. The fans rally, but then Pac goes out just to CHOKE Abrahantes! The fans boo but Komander hurries to go up, up, and ARIHARA MOONSAULT! Down goes Pac and the fans fire up! Komander and Pac both sputter while Abrahantes is pumped! Komander rises, he puts Pac in the ring, and then aims again.

Komander springboards, Pac gets under, but then Komander ducks ‘n’ dodges! Roll and FALLING CUTTER!! The fans fire up as Komander keeps moving, and he QUEBRADAS! Pac catches Komander, but Komander swings around to a DDT! Cover, TWO! Pac survives and the fans rally up. Komander goes to a corner, tunes up, and then runs corner to corner. Komander goes up, up, but Pac trips him up! The fans boo but Komander is stuck on the top rope! Komander slowly slumps down, and now Pac goes up the corner! Komander rolls away and the fans cheer, but Pac is just angrier than before. Pac runs corner to corner, but into a SUPERKICK!

Pac staggers, Komander SUPERKICKS again! The fans fire up and Komander climbs! Pac stands, but into a FLYING DESTROYER!! Komander hurries up top again, for the 450- NO, Pac gets his knees up! And now Komander’s in the BRUTALIZER!!! Komander TAPS, Pac wins!

Winner: Pac, by submission

The Bastard beats the ROH World Television Champion, and only lets go when he wants to! But that isn’t all, because here comes the rest of the Death Riders! Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta make their way out here, and then they all get Komander to his feet. The Swiss Superman is still mad about that Continental Classic match, but here come The Outrunners! The fans fire up as Turbo Floyd & Truth Magnum brawl with Yuta & Claudio! This match was meant to happen a little later, but it might as well happen now! The ref rings the bell, can the Youngest Men Alive get their own revenge on The Death Riders?

The Outrunners VS Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta!

The fans fire up as Turbo has Claudio on the outside, but Yuta KNEES and CHOPS Truth in the ring. Yuta whips, Truth reverses, and then Truth ELBOWS Yuta down! Turbo fires off on Claudio but Claudio turns things around. Truth stomps Yuta, bumps him off buckles, then he stomps again. Yuta knees low, bumps Truth off buckles, then CHOPS! The fans boo Yuta while he talks trash, and then Yuta CHOPS! But Truth bumps Yuta off buckles! Truth CHOPS, and CHOPS, then whips corner to corner. Yuta staggers forward into a CHOP! The fans fire up, Turbo tags in, and he wrenches Yuta to whip into the corner.

Turbo ELBOWS Yuta, tags Truth, then snapmares Yuta down. Truth hits the NECK SNAPPER, Turbo hits an ELBOW DROP! Yuta staggers up, Truth DECKS him! Truth tags Turbo back in, but Yuta headlocks. Yuta CLAWS Turbo’s eyes, has him on the ropes, but the ref counts. Yuta lets go of Turbo to argue with the ref, but Claudio LARIATS Turbo from behind! The fans boo, Yuta stomps Turbo, then Yuta tags Claudio. They stomp Turbo, then split the wishbone! Claudio BOOTS Turbo, then stalks him to the ropes. The fans rally, and Turbo fires hands on Claudio! But Claudio scoop SLAMS Turbo!

Claudio runs to DOUBLE STOMP! Turbo sputters, Claudio clamps onto his arm with a cording hold. The fans rally and Turbo fights to his feet! Turbo fires body shots, but Claudio UPPERCUTS! Turbo goes to ropes, but Claudio brings him around to UPPERCUT! Claudio ROCKS Turbo, fires body shots at the ropes, then UPPERCUTS! Claudio smothers Turbo against ropes, then whips. Turbo reverses to THESZ PRESS! The fans fire up for those fast hands! Turbo roars, then he tags Truth. The Outrunners whip Claudio to BODY SHOT, KNEE LIFT, and BIG back suplex! The fans fire up but Yuta storms in! Truth DECKS him!

Claudio is back up, but the Outrunners LARIAT both Claudio & Yuta up and out of the ring! The fans are thunderous for the Outrunners, and Collision goes picture in picture.

Truth goes outside to CHOP Claudio against the barriers! And CHOP him again! Yuta storms up but Truth DECKS him again! But then Claudio whips Truth hard into the steel steps! Truth tumbles up and over, clutches his legs, but Claudio stalks him. Truth hobbles away, falls back down, but Yuta is there, too! Yuta & Claudio mug Truth, stomp him on the floor, but back off as the ref reprimands them. Turbo storms over but the ref keep shim back, too. Claudio grabs Truth’s leg, and hits a SHIN BREAKER off the railing! Claudio leaves Truth behind and distracts the ref, so Yuta goes after Truth. Truth CHOPS first!

Yuta kicks the bad leg, puts Truth back in, and Claudio drags Truth up to UPPERCUT! Claudio puts Truth’s bad leg in the ropes to KICK and CHOP! The fans rally for the Outrunners but Claudio tags Yuta, and Collision goes to break.

Collision returns and Claudio has Truth down with an ANKLE LOCK! Truth endures, fights, and rolls! Claudio is thrown away, but he BLASTS Turbo! Claudio then DECKS Truth and tags in Yuta. The fans boo but The Death Riders give Truth a HART ATTACK! Cover, TWO! Yuta keeps on Truth after that message to FTR for their love of the Hart Foundation. Yuta hauls Truth up but Truth fights the suplex. Yuta kicks a leg, hits the suplex, then tags Claudio. Claudio goes up to ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer but Claudio clamps onto an arm. Truth endures the double wristlock, fights up, but Claudio stops the jawbreaker!

Claudio ROCKS Truth, runs up, but Truth TOSSES him up and out! The fans fire up as Truth crawls, but Claudio intercepts! But Truth powers up! Truth lifts Claudio, seps forward, repeat! Truth BACKDROPS, Claudio sunset flips, but Truth rolls through! Truth dodges, hot tag to Turbo! Yuta hurries to tag in, but Turbo DECKS him! And DECKS him! And DECKS him again! The fans fire up as Turbo scoops and SLAMS Yuta! Claudio runs in, into a scoop and SLAM! Truth joins in, Turbo scoop SLAMS him onto Yuta! The fans fire up and The Outrunners power up! “Turbo Floyd, you sonova b*tch!” DOUBLE ELBOW DROP!

The fans fire up as Yuta staggers to his feet and Turbo scoops him. Truth runs, but Claudio trips him! No Total Recall as Claudio sends Truth into barriers! Yuta sends Turbo into an UPPERCUT! Then O’Conner Roll, TWO! Yuta hurries to whip Turbo, but Turbo sunset flips! TWO! Yuta hurries up but Turbo whips him, only for Yuta to sunset flip! Turbo sits on the cover! TWO!! Yuta escapes, then wrangles Turbo into the lateral press, ONE, Turbo turns it around to a ghost pin! TWO!!! Yuta escapes by nanoseconds this time! Yuta KNEES low, THROWS Turbo down, then basement DROPKKICKS him down!

The fans boo but Yuta drags Turbo up. But it’s Turbo who suplexes! Cover, Claudio stomps it! And he BOOTS Truth off the apron! Claudio THROWS Yuta to the Death Rider corner, then tags himself in. The Swiss Superman says this is how they do it! GIANT SWING! The fans are torn, but then Yuta DROPKICKS Turbo at TEN! Cover, Truth breaks it! Truth ROCKS Yuta, then LARIATS Yuta and himself up and out! Claudio ignores that to put Turbo up top. Claudio ROCKS Turbo, climbs up, but Turbo fights with body shots! The two brawl, and Turbo winds up to DECK Claudio! The fans fire up as Turbo adjusts!

But wait, Claudio grabs at the ref, and Yuta trips Turbo up! The fans boo but Claudio goes up, to SUPER GUT WRENCH PLEX! Then Claudio makes Yuta his weapon, ROCKET LAUNCHER SPLASH! Cover, Death Riders win!

Winners: Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta, by pinfall

It was a harder fought match than Claudio would’ve liked, and he tells Yuta as much. But will no one, in any division, be able to stop the reign of terror The Death Riders are on?

“Powerhouse” Will Hobbs speaks.

“Mox. Everything you want is right in front of you, dog. See, I’ve been listening since the beginning. Since all this Death Rider BS started, I’ve been listening. Everything you want is in front of you. You wanted people to stand up, you wanted AEW to be a place where people took initiative. Well guess what, Mox? I took initiative. I won the Casino Gauntlet. I beat seven other people, Mox. I stood up to you Wednesday on Dynamite, and what’d you do? You backed away. You cowered out, you tucked your tail between your legs. What type of leader, what type of world champion is that?

“This Wednesday night, Maximum Carnage, I know where we’re at. Cincinnati, Ohio, the birthplace of Jon Moxley. Well guess what, Mox? I’ve between shot, I’ve been stabbed, I’ve been homeless. Hell, there’ve been times when I was left for dead. But guess what, Mox? There’s nothing you can actually do to me. So this Wednesday, Cincinnati, Ohio, I’m gonna make you my b*tch.” The Powerhouse is ready, will the Book of Hobbs have its greatest chapter yet?

Mariah May VS Harley Cameron!

The Glamour feels no one in the AEW Women’s Division is on her level, or even the level below that, but this wild Aussie is too crazy to care! Will the AEW Women’s World Champion FEEL THE WRATH? Or will she show us just why she’s The Woman From Hell?

The bell rings and Mariah doesn’t even take Harley seriously as she sits perched on the corner. Harley says c’mon! It’s HOT GIRL GRAPS! The fans fire up, Mariah hops down and still mockingly asks, “What is this?” The two storm up, Harley talks some smack, but Mariah laughs and looks awya., Harley rolls her up! ONE!! Harley Oklahoma Rolls, oNE! Harley snatches Mariah for a cradle, TWO! Mairah is up, and she HEADBUTTS Harley!! Harley sputters and flounders, and Mariah smiles. The fans rally for Harley while she goes to a corner, and Mariah storms up. Mariarh stomps a mudhole in, but lets off as the ref counts 4.

Harley flounders to another corner, but Mariah storms up on her there. Mariah says, “Feel the Wrath!” and she CHOPS! Harley staggers away, Mairah whips her to a corner, then Mariah runs up. Harley BOOTS Mariah, runs up, and she LARIATS! The fans fire up with Harley, and she kicks low! Then she KNEES low again and again! Harley clinches to RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Cover, ONE!! Mariah snarls but Harley stays on her with elbows into the shoulders! Harley runs, but Mariah ducks the Shining Wizard! Mariah fireman’s carries but Harley fights free! ENZIGIRI! Mariah falls, Harley covers, TWO!

Harley is frustrated already but the fans rally up. Mariah goes to ropes, and Harley storms up behind her! Harley grabs the legs, Mariah grabs the ropes! Mariah BOOTS Harley away, but Harley comes back! Mariah sends her into ropes! Mariah runs and SHOTGUNS Harley down! Cover, TWO! Harley stays in this and Mariah grows frustrated, but Collision goes picture in picture.

Mariah storms around, Harley flops against ropes, but Mariah stands her up. Mairah scoops for teh SPIN-OUT SIDEWALK SLAM! Cover, TWO! Mariah snarls again and stalks Harley to ropes. Mariah CHOKES Harley, blows kisses, then lets off as the ref counts. Mariah storms back up on Harley i a corner, and CHOPS! Harley staggers away again, but Mariah follows her to a corner. Mariah digs her boots in, steps off as the ref counts, and Mariah soaks up the heat. Mariah stomps Harley, mocks the fans clapping for Harley, then storms up on Harley in the corner. Mariah scrapes Harley’s face off the ropes! The ref counts but Mariah stops once she goes side to side.

Mariah plays innocent, “apologizes” to the ref, then stalks Harley to ropes. Mariah stands Harley up to DECK her! Harley writhes then crawls, but Mariah kicks her to a corner. Mariah snapmares Harley, clamps on a chinlock, then shifts things to a straitjacket stretch! Harley endures, even as Mariah’s knee digs into her back. Mariah mockingly laughs in Harley’s ear, and Collision returns to single picture. Harley fights up as the fans rally, but Mariah throws her down! The fans boo but Mariah drags Harley up. Mariah hoists Harley to the top rope, then puts some stank on the DOUBLE CHOPS! The fans still “WOO~!” while Harley sputters.

Mariah runs up, and hits some STRATUSFACTION! Cover, TWO! Harley stays in this, and Mariah is almost amused. Mariah taunts the fans that this is someone they like. Mariah reels Harley in, but then spins her out. Harley dodges the lariat to FLYING FACEBUSTER! The fans fire up while both women are down! Harley rises as the fans rally behind her, and she runs up to fire forearms! Mariah staggers, Harley fires more counter shots, then Harley DECKS her! And DECKS her! Harley runs and RAMAS Mariah in a corner! Then whips corner to corner to SPALSH! Snapmare, run, wrench, NECKBREAKER!

The fans fire up as Harley has Mariah hooked up! PUMP HANDLE SAIDO! Cover, TWO!! Mariah survives and Harley is furious! The fans rally up again and Harley brings Mariah around. But Mariah knees low! Mariah reels Harley in, STORM- NO, Harley makes it a jackknife bridge! TWO, and Mariah KNEES Harley down! Then Mariah reels Harley back in, STORM ZERO!! Cover, Mariah wins!

Winner: Mariah May, by pinfall

Harley brought the fight to the champion, but not even #HotGirlGraps can bring down The Glamour. The first-ever Women’s Casino Gauntlet happens next week, who survives Maximum Carnage to meet Mariah in Australia?

Christopher Daniels speaks.

“Hangman Page, what you don’t seem to understand is I was never approaching you as an AEW official. Even when I was still an EVP, I was trying to be a friend to you. I’ve known you for more than 15 years, and I saw you go through the worst year and a half of your life. I saw all of your friends desert you. I saw the fans turn their backs on you. And I wanted to be a friend to you. But every time I reached out, you responded with violence. And I don’t even care about getting punched, I’ve been knocked on my ass more than 1000 times in my life, Adam! But when we stood face to face, you called me an old man and asked me what I’ve done in professional wrestling?

“That hurt. Apparently, it’s time for a history lesson, Adam. I’ll tell you what I’ve done. I’ve won championships, I’ve main evented PPVs, I’ve wrestled all around the world. And if a professional wrestling company mattered in the last THIRTY-TWO YEARS, I wrestled there! I helped build two professional wrestling companies from the ground up. I was AEW before AEW was even real. So maybe 2024 wasn’t my best in-ring year of my career. But it’s 2025 now, and I’m not an EVP anymore. I’m just a man who’s sick and tired of being disrespected!

“Maximum Carnage Collision, Adam Page, you want Texas Death? I already shown I’m willing to shed MY blood, I’ll shed yours, as well. Maybe I’ll add beating your ass to my list of accomplishments.” The Fallen Angel is ready, will he make sure Texas Death is the end of #CowboyS*it?

Brody King w/ Julia Hart VS Trevor Blackwell!

The House of Black’s foundation has been questioned by Will Ospreay, but that is perhaps fair after Brody failed to meet him in the Continental Classic, along with failing to win in the Tokyo Dome. Can the House rebuild with what remains? Or is it time for the King of Death to sit on the throne?

The bell rings, Athens barks for Brody, and Brody eggs on Trevor. Trevor fires a haymaker, but Brody doesn’t flinch! Brody CHOPS Trevor off his feet! Trevor scrambles to a corner, throws elbows, but Brody fires back! Brody TOSSES Trevor across the way, then storms up to put him across the top rope. Brody winds up and CHOPS Trevor right down! Julia is pleased as Brody goes out to stalk Trevor. Trevor is in a real-life horror movie as he finds himself surrounded. Julia wags her finger, Trevor turns around, Brody CHOPS him down again! Brody puts Trevor in the ring, then runs, runs, and LARIATS!!

Brody isn’t done, he TOSSES Trevor back to a corner, and the fans bark again. Brody runs to CANNONBALL! Brody hauls Trevor up and in, then hoists him up! GONZO BOMB!! Cover, Brody wins!

Winner: Brody King, by pinfall

The Princess of the Black Throne stands with her King, and the fans bark in celebration. Will 2025 be the year AEW fades to Black?

Backstage interview with Brody King & Julia Hart.

Lexy Nair is with the House of Black and says we saw him end 2024 on a strong note with his great showing in the C2. He continued that momentum into 2025 in the Tokyo Dome, we heard everything good Ospreay had to say about Brody and Buddy, and Brody just got a big win. How is he feeling? Brody says right now, it is a confusing time for the House of Black. But then in steps Cope. Cope says they’ve been through a lot. But he hopes that at the end of all of it, Cope respects Brody, Julia, and Buddy. They have the world at their feet. Cope knows what Brody brings to the table, because he felt it. Cope wanted this to be a group.

But hey, time for Brody to take the reins and run things. Cope heads out, leaving Brody with a lot to think about. Will there be a new head of the house now?

AEW TNT Championship: Daniel Garcia VS Katsuyori Shibata!

Red Death has great respect for The Wrestler, has teamed up with him a few times, and had made the promise that once he took this title off Jack Perry, he and Shibata would battle for it. That promise is now fulfilled, but will Garcia still be golden afterward? Or will Shibata add a new accolade to the list?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we’re about to see who earns the title of “The Face of TNT!”

The bell rings and the fans rally up. The two stare down, then slowly circle. They feel things out while fans duel, and then the two back away. They tie up, are in a deadlock, and Shibata powers Garcia to ropes. The ref counts the break, Shibata and Garcia let go slowly, and then Shibata backs away. The fans cheer the sportsmanship, and the two reset. Shibata and Garcia tie up, then break, and Shibata CHOPS! Garcia stands his ground and the fans fire up. Garcia CHOPS Shibata, Shibata nods, and he CHOPS again! The fans fire up and Shibata eggs Garcia on. Garcia CHOPS, Shibata CHOPS, repeat! The fans “WOO~” with every CHOP!

Garcia headlocks, Shibata powers up and out, but Garcia RAMS Shibata! Shibata CHOPS Garcia off his feet! Garcia hurries back to his feet, and the fans are fired up. Garcia CHOPS, Shibata eggs him on! Garcia CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS, but Shibata still eggs him on! The CHOPS keep going but Shibata steps into them! Shibata then CHOPS Garcia to the corner! Shibata CHOPS, CHOPS, and MACHINE GUN CHOPS! Garcia sits down, Shibata goes corner to corner, HYDRAULIC DROPKICK! Garcia sputters, Athens is thunderous, and Shibata hits a SNAP HALF HATCH! Cover, TWO! Garcia grits this out but Shibata ROCKS him in the back!

Shibata has Garcia’s leg for a toehold, but Garcia endures. Garcia keeps his shoulder sup but Shibata puts the toehold on deep! Shibata goes to tie up both legs, Garcia tries for a chinlock, but Shibata shifts around while Collision goes picture in picture.

Shibata sits up with the INDIAN DEATHLOCK! Garcia endures, and he CHOPS from below! Shibata eggs him on, so Garcia CHOPS! And CHOPS! Shibata CHOPS Garcia down! Garcia sputters, but he keeps his shoulders up. Shibata puts on the pressure, grabs Garcia’s arm, and he puts on a top wristlock. Shibata uses that to make this a cover, TWO as Garcia gets the other arm up! Shibata lets off the legs to then STOMP the arm! Garcia scrambles to ropes, but Shibata storms up to wrench his arm. Shibata wrangles Garcia to the mat, isolates the arm again, and STOMPS it! Garcia goes back to ropes but Shibata is after him again.

Shibata brings Garcia around, snapmares him, then steps through for the INDIAN DEATHLOCK! Garcia endures all over again! Garcia powers up to back stroke his way to ropes, and the ROPEBREAK! Shibata shows respect by letting go quickly, then he waits on Garcia. Garcia stands, into a CHOP! Garcia snarls, rises, and Shibata CHOPS again! Garcia falls and Collision goes to break.

Collision returns again and both men run, Garcia LARIATS Shibata down! The fans fire up as both men stand. Garcia has Shibata in a corner, climbs up, and he rains down fists! The fans count along, Garcia goes to nine, then he winds up for TEN! Garcia fires up, the fans are with him, and he brings Shibata in. TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Cover, TWO! Shibata survives, as he knows that move from Tanahashi. Garcia waits on Shibata to rise, and then he runs up to trip Shibata! Garcia steps through, but Shibata drags him down to a cradle! TWO!! Shibata brings Garcia up, trips, but Garcia drags him down to a cradle! TWO!

Garcia BOOTS Shibata! Shibata stays up, so Garcia runs to BOOT him again! Shibata shakes his head, runs, and he BOOTS Garcia! Garcia runs again, and he BOOTS Shibata! Shibata rebounds to BOOT! Garcia rebounds to BOOT! Shibata BOOTS! Shibata runs, but Garcia BOOTS him down! But then Shibata’s right up! BOOT! SAIDO! But Garcia’s up! SAIDO! Both men stand, and they DOUBLE LARIAT! Neither man falls, they both roar! But then Shibata catches Garcia to an S T O! The fans fire up and the ref starts a count! The fans rally, “This is Awesome!” as we pass 5 of 10! Then pass 7!

Garcia an dShibata both sit up at 8! Garcia an dShibata go forehead to forehead, stand to their feet, and Garcia CHOPS! Shibata CHOPS! The CHOPS go back and forth again and the fans love it! Shibata CHOPS, and CHOPS, and then clamps on a COBRA TWIST! Garcia endures the Inoki signature, and he marches forward to the ROPEBREAK! Shibata lets go, but then Garcia blocks his kick! DRAGON SCREW! ANKLE LOCK!! Shibata rolls to get the ANKLE LOCK on Garcia! Garcia rolls, victory roll even, TWO! Both men stagger up, and Garcia trips Shibata! Garcia steps through, for the DRAGON TAMER!!

The fans are thunderously dueling, and Shibata rolls to drag Garcia down! HEEL HOOK KNEEBAR COMBO!! Garcia endures the “Achilles Lock,” but Shibata drags him from ropes! FIGURE FOUR LEG LOCK!! Garcia endures the classic, fans “WOO~!” as Shibata puts on the pressure! Garcia backstrokes his way to the ROPEBREAK! Shibata lets go quickly and the fans fire up again. Shibata roars, stands Garcia up, and Shibata snapmares Garcia to KICK him in the back! Shibata runs, but Garcia ducks the Penalty Kick! DRAOGN- NO, Shibata steps through! ARMBAR, but Garcia stacks Shibata! TWO!!

Shibata SLAPS Garcia!! And then ripcord and- Leg trip! Jackknife bridge!! GARCIA WINS!!

Winner: Daniel Garcia, by pinfall (still AEW TNT Champion)

Garcia snatches victory away from Shibata, and Shibata shows him respect. Shibata raises Garcia’s hand, and Garcia raises Shibata’s hand. Will these two run it back some day? Who will step to Garcia for the title next?

BREAKING NEWS for Maximum Carnage!

After a brutal match and a tense confrontation, Mark Briscoe & Private Party join forces against The Hurt Syndicate! Will The Sussex County Chicken help the AEW World Tag Team Champions fend off their challengers? Or will MVP, The Standard of Excellence & The All Mighty handle their business?

Dax Harwood VS Chris Jericho!

After the chaos between Rated FTR and The Learning Tree to open the night, a ringside ban has been put on this match! Only Dax and Jericho are going to be out here so that we can have a true 1v1 match! Will Dax the Ax chop down The Nueve? Or will Jericho show Harwood is no good?

The bell rings, the two circle, and Jericho soaks up the heat from Athens. Jericho and Dax tie up, break, and then Jericho claims Dax was digging at his face. The two go again, Jericho puts Dax in a corner, but then Dax turns things around. Jericho turns things around, then they tumble out to the apron! They keep going and tie up on the outside! They go around the desk, into railing, then along the LED barrier. The ref wants this in the ring but these two continue the collar ‘n’ elbow all the way to the ramps ide! The front row almost has this match in their laps! Dax and Jericho finally break and go back to the ring!

Dax and Jericho tie up again, end up in a corner, and Jericho CHOPS! And CHOPS! As if we didn’t get a ton with Shibata and Garcia. Dax CHOPS, CHOPS, and then grabs a leg! Dax hits a deep DRAGON SCREW! Jericho crumbles, but Dax drags him to the corner! The ref reprimands but Dax gets a high-five from the young fans before he SLAMS Jericho’s leg into the post! Dax goes up the steel steps, but Jericho YANKS Dax into the post! Dax staggers away, Jericho goes out, and he runs up to LARIAT Dax over the railing! The fans boo but Jericho storms out after Dax. Jericho ROCKS Dax, Dax CHOPS back!

Dax TOSSES Jericho to ringside and the fans fire up again. Dax climbs jump onto the barriers, but Jericho SMACKS him! Jericho fires hands but so does Dax! Dax CHOPS, CHOPS, and then hops up and over. Dax puts Jericho in the ring, brings him up, suplex and BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Jericho survives but Dax hurries to a corner. Dax climbs, the fans fire up, but Jericho shoves Dax down! Dax lands on his top guys, and Jericho CHOPS him! Jericho climbs up after Dax, waves to the fans, then SUPER STEINERS! The fans boo while Dax tumbles all the way to the other corner! Jericho waves to the fans, and Collision goes picture in picture.

Jericho soaks up the heat, storms over to the corner, and he stomps away on Dax. Jericho grabs Dax’s legs, and BUCKLE GUILLOTINES! Dax sputters, but Jericho slaps him around. Jericho stands Dax up and hits a BIG back suplex! Dax writhes but Jericho stands on him for a cocky cover. OEN, but Jericho waves to the fans. Jericho goes back to Dax, throws down crossface shots, then stalks Dax to a corner. Dax CHOPS in return! And CHOPS again! Dax whips, Jericho reverses, and Jericho CLOBBERS Dax! SENTON! Jericho soaks up more heat while Dax sputters. Cover, TWO! Dax stays in this but Jericho brings him up.

Jericho puts Dax on the ropes, CHOKES him, but the ref counts. Jericho steps off, taunts fans, then CHOKES Dax again. Jericho stops at 4, flexes, and soaks up more heat. Collision returns to single picture as Dax sits up. Jericho SLAPS him! Jericho slaps Dax around more, but Dax ROCKS him! And ROCKS him! And repeat! Dax whips, Jericho runs him over! Things keep moving, Jericho runs Dax over again! Jericho tries a third time, but Dax TOSSES him up and out! Jericho goes right up a corner! CROSSBODY! But Dax rolls through! Cover, TWO! Jericho swings, Dax ducks, GERMAN SUPLEX!

Dax holds on and the fans fire up, GERMAN SUPLEX! Dax still has Jericho, and he GERMAN S- NO, Jericho victory rolls, then steps through! Jericho fights to turn Dax, Dax fights it, so Jericho CATAPULTS him into buckles! Dax falls, Jericho fires up, and he springboards, LIONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Dax survives and Jericho frowns. The fans rally up for Dax, but Jericho soaks up heat. Jericho runs in, but is put on the apron! Jericho ROCKS Dax, step sin, but Dax DRAGON SCREWS him again! Dax grabs the legs, turns Jericho around, steps through, but Jericho BOOTS Dax into the POST! Roll-up, TWO!!

Dax survives but Jericho goes to the corner. Jericho climbs, the fans rally as hard as they can for Dax, but Jericho waves. Dax rises to ROCK Jericho! And CHOP! And CHOP! Dax climbs up to the very top, and he brings Jericho up. Jericho drops down, either slipping or fighting the suplex, but Dax keeps him at the ropes! Dax drags Jericho back up, to SUPER DUPER PLEX! The fans fire up while both men are down! Dax and Jericho slowly sit up as the fans rally. Jericho and Dax go forehead to forehead, then they go forearm for forearm! The shots go faster and faster, but Jericho gets the edge! Jericho whips but Dax blocks!

Dax CHOPS, Jericho CHOPS, repeat! The fans fire up, “WOO~” with every CHOP, but then Jericho CHOKES Dax! Dax CHOKES Jericho! The ref reprimands, Dax breaks free, but both men SLAP the other! They both fall and the fans fire up again! Jericho goes to the outside but Dax pursues. Jericho grabs his ROH World Championship belt, takes aim, but Dax BOOTS him first! Dax trips Jericho, then steps through! Jericho fights it and BOOTS Dax into the steel steps! Jericho rises, and runs up to hit a CODE BREAKER! Jericho leaves Dax behind as the ring count passes 5 of 10. Dax is down at 7 but the fans rally up.

Dax rises at 8, stumbles, but he slips in at 9.5! Jericho is frustrated, but he storms up to trip Dax! Dax fights the turnover, and he THROWS Jericho away! Dax trips Jericho again, has the legs and steps through, for the SHARPSHOOTER!! Jericho endures, turns slightly, but the fans rally as Dax puts on the pressure! Jericho fights around, ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Dax won’t let go, so the ref has to pry him off Jericho. They argue, Jericho crawls and fetches his belt! But Das ducks the cheap shot! BIG back suplex! Jericho flounders, but he SLAPS the ref! Dax climbs, Jericho grabs the belt!

DIVING HEADBUTT! Dax hits the mark, but the ref’s are watering, he can’t see anything! Dax checks on the ref, Jericho BELT SHOTS Dax!! The fans boo as Jericho gets away with that, as well as hides the evidence. Jericho crawls over and covers, TWO?!?! Dax survives but Jericho dares him to get up. Dax stands, into the JUDAS EFFECT!! Cover, Jericho wins!

Winner: Chris Jericho, by pinfall

The Learning Tree’s Branches may not have been present, but Jericho still had tricks up his sleeve to cheat Dax! And now speaking of, here come Big Bill & Bryan Keith! They celebrate with Jericho, then beat down Dax! But of course Cash and Cope hurry out here! The fans fire up as the brawl is on again! But now it’s 3v2! Wait, the Death Riders run in! They go after Rated FTR, but also The Learning Tree! The Outrunners return, they help Rated FTR! The fans fire up for this chaos, especially as it spills out of the ring! Pac beats down on Cope, then runs, but into a SPEAR! The fans fire up as the Rated R Superstar stands tall!

But wait, JON MOXLEY is here! He reels Edge in for a PARADIGM SHIFT! Marina Shafir sends in a chair, and then another! Marina puts Cope’s head on top of one, and Moxley has the other! But wait! POWERHOUSE HOBBS is here in person! He warned Moxley, and he CLOBBERS Yuta and Keith on his way down the ramp! Hobbs dodges Bill to send him into railing, then storms into the ring! The fans fire up, but Claudio runs in! SPINEBUSTER for Claudio, but Moxley SMACKS Hobbs with the chair! Hobbs doesn’t even budge!! The fans tell Moxley he messed up, and Mox seems to see that. Hobbs SMACKS the chair out of Moxley’s hands!

Hobbs storms out after Moxley, but Marina stands in his way! The fans boo as Moxley runs away, but Hobbs grins. But then Yuta LEAPS at Hobbs off the steel steps! Only for Hobbs to catch him! Hobbs brings Yuta over to URENAGE through the desk!! The fans go wild as Hobbs stands tall! But will this violence be nothing compared to what happens at Maximum Carnage?

My Thoughts:

A great Collision that did an excellent job of blending stories while telling those stories in the ring. Mariah VS Harley was great stuff, and Harley is getting to look stronger and stronger each week. While AEW has “a lot of belts,” or “too many belts” depending on your opinion, only two of those belts are women’s titles. Harley Cameron should be a contender for a Women’s International Championship, perhaps even crowning her at Grand Slam: Australia next month. But of course Mariah won, she needs to be strong going towards that same event, and the Women’s Casino Gauntlet will be great stuff to determine her next challenger.

Great TNT Championship match from Garcia VS Shibata to reach back and make good on that promo when Garcia won the title. The C2 is partly why they waited on this, but Garcia VS Shibata made for just the right thing to fill out this episode. Garcia of course retained, but it was a good move to have it be by jackknife bridge. Meanwhile, with Mark Briscoe & Private Party facing The Hurt Syndicate next week, we should definitely see things move towards Garcia & Private Party VS Hurt Syndicate, and then all those titles can be on the line. I can’t be sure how any of those matches go, but if it’s Lashley going for the TNT title, it’s very likely Lashley wins.

Brody King of course gets a squash match victory, but he was brought here mostly so Cope could talk with him in the same nature as Ospreay talking with Buddy Matthews. This is AEW telling us Malakai Black really IS leaving without saying it outright. If only TK had figured out he should book Buddy, Brody and Malakai for singles title stories like he has other factions. Basically, House of Black could’ve been doing what The Don Callis Family has been doing with Konosuke Takeshita and Kyle Fletcher. In fact, The House could’ve been feuding with The Don Callis Family, too, with those singles titles being the goal.

Good cold open promos that weren’t redundant this time, and then we got a great match of Cope VS Bill. Cope cheating to win was a bit of a surprise, but I suppose Cope was sending a message to The Death Riders. Great brawl for Rated FTR with Learning Tree, and I like how they used to that to change things up for the main event just a touch. Pac VS Komander was great stuff, too, and I like The Outrunners going after the Death Riders to save Komander. Komander & Outrunners could make a great trio that takes Pac, Claudio & Yuta on for the trios titles, even if it’s a losing effort.

Hobbs had a very good promo, but it didn’t necessarily change anything from his post-match promo on Wednesday. Great main event for Dax VS Jericho, but of course Jericho cheated. I feel like the cheat spot they wanted messed up, though. Jericho shoves ref, Dax dives, but I feel like the belt should’ve been there for Dax to “land on.” That aside, things of course turn back into a brawl, and while Rated FTR and Outrunners were on the same side, it made some sense that Death Riders would beat up Learning Tree members because everyone is an enemy to The Death Riders. I figured Moxley would get the better of Cope, and then great save moment for Hobbs.

Hobbs looks unstoppable as he takes out the Heels and scares Moxley off, but then that signals the go-home math of Moxley winning at Maximum Carnage. News is going around that Darby Allin was written off the way he was so he could climb Mount Everest like he’s always wanted. We can only hope and pray Darby doesn’t get hurt or worse on that mountain so that he can come back closer to Revolution and go after Moxley again. Honestly, Christian Cage trying to cash in on Wednesday should be a thing, too. It can even be a way to protect Hobbs in the loss, and give us a roundabout reunion of Team Taz as Hobbs and Hook go after The Patriarchy.