Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (12/20/22)
Tag Title Tuesday 2!
Who will have gold for the holidays?
The New Day defend their NXT Tag Team titles against Briggs & Jensen, and the NXT Women’s Tag Team titles are defended in a TRIPLE THREAT!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Axiom VS Carmelo Hayes w/ Trick Williams; Melo wins.
- Zoey Stark VS Nikkita Lyons; Stark wins.
- NXT Women’s Tag Team Championships Triple Threat: Kayden Carter & Katana Chance VS Toxic Attraction VS Ivy Nile & Tatum Paxley; Kayden & Katana win and retain the titles.
- Indi Hartwell VS Elektra Lopez; Lopez wins.
- Alba Fyre VS Sol Ruca; No Contest.
- NXT Tag Team Championships: The New Day VS Josh Briggs & Brooks Jensen w/ Fallon Henley; The New Day wins and retain the titles.
PLAY BY PLAY
Axiom VS Carmelo Hayes w/ Trick Williams!
The Undeniable Truth didn’t win the Iron Survivor Challenge, but he had one of the most exciting moments in it! It even caught The A Champion by surprise! But now, these two look to step up, wanting to be next in line after Grayson Waller. Who hits the mark and who misses like an air ball as the New Year approaches?
The bell rings and the two tie up. Melo waistlocks, he throws Axiom down, then pie faces him. Melo talks trash but Axiom trips Melo to a toehold! Melo rolls, Axiom cartwheels through, and he pie faces back! Melo scowls, rushes in, but Axiom facelocks! Axiom rolls Melo to a cover, ONE! Melo clinches, whips but Axiom reverses to snapmare! Things speed up, Axiom springboards to arm-drag, and Melo narrowly avoids the spin kick! Axiom says it was that close. Fans rally up, the two tie up, and Axiom headlocks. Melo powers up but Axiom hits a tornado takeover! Melo headscissors, Axiom kips free, but Melo holds onto the wrist!
Melo drags Axiom down to the headscissors, Axiom moves around and headstands. Axiom turns Melo over, bridges back and hooks up the legs! Fans cheer the exchange and Axiom gets a Bow ‘n’ Arrow! Melo pops out to cover, ONE, and Axiom ducks a kick to waistlock. Melo wheelbarrows, trips Axiom, but Axiom kicks him away! Melo kips up, Axiom trips him and covers, ONE! Axiom jumps the sweep, Melo ducks the kick, Melo sunset flips but Axiom rolls through to come back with a prawn hold! TWO, Axiom whips but Melo rolls. Things keep moving, Axiom arm-drags with a twist to have an armlock!
Fans cheer this great exchange, and then the fan rally up. Axiom bridges to twist the hammerlock! Melo endures, Trick coaches him up, and Melo stands. Axiom adds a chinlock, but Melo RAMS him into a corner! The ref calls the ropebreak, but Melo throws a back elbow. Axiom throws one back! Axiom goes up to FLYING ARM-DRAG and then DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Axiom waistlocks to rear bearhug and hold Melo down. Fans rally, Melo fights up, and Melo throws elbows. Axiom ducks, Melo bucks the O’Conner but he runs into a NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO! Fans rally and duel as Axiom bearhugs again.
Melo fights up, throws a back elbow, and he talks trash. Melo runs, but Axiom goes the other way to DROPKICK the springboard down! Fans fire up for “NXT! NXT!” as NXT goes picture in picture.
Both men are down and the ref starts a standing count. Axiom flounders around at 4 of 10, he and Melo rise, and Axiom PENALTY KICKS! Melo sputters, but Axiom KICKS him again! Melo throws a body shot, but Axiom KICKS Melo back down! Axiom drags Melo up, to KICK again! And again! But Melo SWATS the leg! Melo runs, springboards, and FLYING LARIATS! Cover, TWO! Melo grows frustrated but he drags Axiom up to scoop and SLAM! Melo dribbles, he shoots, and he scores his free throw! But Axiom trips him up on the rebound! Melo stomps away on Axiom out of frustration! Melo covers again, TWO!
Melo clamps onto Axiom, he pulls on the mask! The ref reprimands but Melo shifts to have a cording hold. Axiom endures as Melo pulls on the arm. Axiom fights up, only for Melo to throw him down! Melo keeps on the arm, even digs a knee into Axiom’s side, but Axiom fights up gain. Axiom throws forearms, runs, and ducks a clothesline to crucifix takedown! TWO, and Melo CLOBBERS Axiom! Cover, TWO! Melo has the arm back in the cording hold! Axiom endures all over again, and he fights back up. Melo wrangles Axiom back down! NXT returns to single picture as fans rally and duel.
Melo pulls on the arm but Axiom fights up again. Axiom throws knees and gets free, but Melo ROCKS him with a right! Axiom ROCKS Melo back, but Melo SLAPS Axiom! Axiom CHOPS, Melo ROCKS! Axiom goes to ropes, Trick talks trash, but Axiom comes back to CHOP! Axiom fires palm strikes, he whips, and then DROPKICKS Melo down hard! Fans fire up with Axiom while Melo goes to a corner. Axiom runs corner to corner to GAMANGIRI! And then a FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Not quite perfect but fans argue the count. Axiom hurries to waistlock Melo again, but Melo resists the lift.
Melo runs to ropes, bucks Axiom again, and he BOOTS Axiom down from the kip-up! Melo runs to tilt-o-whirl FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! But into the CROSSFACE! Fans rally and duel as Axiom endures! Axiom rolls the hold to a cover, TWO! Melo lets go, springboards, but into a SLIDING GERMAN SUPLEX! Axiom goes up top fast and CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! But Axiom has the arm for an ARMBAR!! Melo flails, moves around, but ends up in a TRIANGLE HOLD! Melo endures, fights up, he claws at Axiom’s mask! The ref reprimands, Melo lets go to deadlift Axiom for a POWERBOMB! But Axiom springs up to TRIANGLE HOLD!!
Melo endures all over again but Axiom pulls him in deep! Melo dribbles Axiom’s head off the mat! Axiom lets go and Melo grabs hold of an arm. Melo drags Axiom up by his arm and mask, and he BOOTS Axiom! And BOOTS him! And BOOTS again! Axiom eggs Melo on! Then he blocks the boot to CHOP!! Axiom knuckle locks, CHOPS, goes up and up, but Melo trips him up! Axiom just double knuckle locks to bring Melo up! Axiom then jumps up to the top, but Melo follows! Axiom SUPER DUPER STEINERS!! Fans are thunderous for “NXT! NXT!” while Trick freaks out! Melo distracts the ref, Trick throws Axiom down by his mask!
Melo hits a CODE BREAKER!! Melo goes up top and he takes aim, NOTHING BUT NET!! Cover, Melo wins!
Winner: Carmelo Hayes, by pinfall
As always, it’s Trick with the assist, but Melo made his shot! Axiom know sit, too, so he ASAI MOONSAULTS onto Trick! Axiom says that’s what happens! Will the Undeniable Truth prove that Melo can’t make his shots without help?
Backstage interview with Grayson Waller.
McKenzie Mitchell says Waller requested this time, so what’s on his mind? “I still can’t believe Roxanne Perez is our new NXT Women’s Champion. I never thought she could do it. And honestly, McKenzie, it’s inspired me. If Roxanne didn’t have to wait until New Year’s Evil, then why should I wait for New Year’s Evil for my match with Bron?! I want my title match… TONIGHT!” Seriously? Dead serious! Roxie called her shot, so Waller’s calling his! But Bron’s not here, he’s on a media tour promoting Vengeance Day. Why? He’s not going to be champion come Vengeance Day, Waller will! Well, he’s in Carolina right now-
Waller doesn’t care where Bron is! The challenge is made! If Bron wants to show he’s a gutless champion, then so be it. But Bron has the USA Network, probably streaming on his phone right now. Waller tells Bron to meet him the ring tonight! “BITCH!!” Is the 21st Century Success Story just puffing up his chest because he knows the champ isn’t here? Or will Bron find a way to return home in time to break the Grayson Waller Effect?
Tony D’Angelo is on the phone with someone.
It isn’t Stacks, because he’s right next to The Don. Tony can’t believe “he said that.” But absolutely, yeah. Tootles. Who was that? Well, guess who has a North American Championship match next week? Wow, let’s go, Don! Is he the don or not? So Wes Lee agreed to that? It was his idea! What a great guy. But what do they now? Well, Stacks is gonna tell Dijak to stay out of their business. And when Tony beats Wes, Dijak can have the first crack. But until then, Dijak needs to stay out of his way. Stacks has to go tell him now? No, wait until tomorrow. YES right now!
Stacks heads out, but Waller has him and Tony hold on. Have they seen Bron Breakker? No. Stacks leaves, and Waller tells Tony to tell Bron that Waller’s looking for him. Can the Don do that for Waller? Yeah, sure. Waller heads out, and Tony shakes his head. Does even Tony D know some things just aren’t possible?
Zoey Stark VS Nikkita Lyons!
Once a role model and “big sister” to the new recruits, The Hunter is only looking out for herself now. She and the Lioness have a score to settle, but who will be the hunter and who will be the hunted?
But as Lyons makes her entrance, Stark rushes out after her! Lyons avoids the cheap shot to ROUNDHOUSE Stark down! Lyons says if that’s how she wants it, then she RAMS Stark into the apron! They get in the ring, fans fire up and the bell rings! Stark swings but into counter punches from Lyons! Lyons whips, then HEEL KICKS Stark down! Stark flounder sup, Lyons RAMS her into the corner! And again, and again! Lyons whips corner to corner, runs in and FOREARM SMASHES! Stark staggers away, Lyons is right after her with body shots! Stark shoves back but Lyons fires off more shots! The ref counts, Stark shoves Lyons away and bails out!
Fans boo but Lyons pursues. Stark gets back in the ring, but Lyons avoids the sliding dropkick! Lyons whips but Stark reverses to POST Lyons! Stark rains down fists, then she roars! The ring count is climbing, fans taunt Stark with “OH~ Zoey Is Angry~!” Stark RAMS Lyons into the apron, pushes her into the ring at 7 of 10, and then stalks her to ropes. Lyons gets up but Stark CHOKES her on the ropes! The ref counts, Stark lets off at 4 of 5, and Lyons sputters to a corner. Stark CHOPS Lyons! Lyons CHOPS back, but Stark CHOPS again! Lyons CHOPS, Stark CHOPS, then Stark kicks low. Stark snapmares and clamps on a chinlock.
Lyons endures, fans rally up, but Stark CLUBS Lyons across the chest and shoulders. Stark wraps on a tighter hold but fans rally up again. Lyons fights to her feet, but Stark wrangles her right back down! Fans continue to rally, Lyons continues to fight, but Starks throws her down by her hair! Stark pie faces Lyons around, saying she’s nothing! But Lyons avoids the spin kick to sweep the legs! Stark staggers back up, Lyons rallies with clotheslines! Lyons waistlocks to GERMAN SUPLEX! Lyons roars, runs in and PENALTY KICKS! And HIP ATTACKS! ROUNDHOUSE, then a cover, TWO! Lyons grows frustrated but she watches Stark stand up.
Fans rally as Lyons fireman’s carries. Stark fights free with elbows, goes to a corner, and Lyons runs in. Stark dodges to HEEL KICK!! Lyons staggers, Stark reels her in, but Lyons fights the full nelson. Lyons elbows Stark away, but Stark comes back with a DROPKICK! Lyons hits a ROBINSON SPECIAL! Cover, TWO! Stark says Lyons is ungrateful, and then she goes to a corner. Stark springboards, but Lyons avoids the ax handle to ROCK Stark with a right! SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO! Stark survives and Lyons grows further frustrated. Fans rally, both women stand and Lyons waistlocks. But Stark elbows free!
Lyons blocks a superkick, shoves and scoops Stark, but Stark slips off! Lyons SUPERKICKS Stark, then runs to FOREARM SMASH in the corner! Lyons whips Stark out but Stark goes up and over. Stark waistlocks, Lyons switches to O’Conner Roll, TWO and Stark has the O’Conner Roll Bridge! With the ropes!! STARK WINS!!
Winner: Zoey Stark, by pinfall
Fans boo as The Hunter steals a win! Lyons is furious, will she be hunting down Stark for a rematch?
Backstage interview with Cora Jade.
McKenzie says she can only imagine what Cora is feeling right now. Cora was seconds away from being the Iron Survivor until Roxanne won. And then Roxanne won the NXT Women’s Championship. Her thoughts? Cora says she was there for all that. Roxie is the luckiest person alive. That should’ve been Cora’s moment! Roxie doesn’t deserve the title, Cora does! And a lot of people think they deserve things, but Cora- GETS ATTACKED BY WENDY CHOO!! Wendy is in candy cane stripes but she’s more like a bat outta hell as she and Cora brawl! Referees rush in to stop this, but we all know this animosity isn’t going away! When will we see these two finally settle the score?
Fallon Henley, Josh Briggs & Brooks Jensen look at the family expenses.
Fallon has no idea how her parents will get through this one. The interest rate alone is a killer. What did the financial advisor say? Mr. Henley met with him and talked it out, but they can’t just make money magically appear. Jensen is sure something will come up. It has to! The Henleys have rode out some tough times, especially 2021, but they have to keep their fingers crossed. Briggs says 2023 is right around the corner, surely things will get better. Jensen says he and Briggs are gonna walk into the New Year as NEW NXT Tag Team Champions, so they’ll host events and watch parties for New Year’s Evil and Vengeance Day!
Briggs likes that! They can put their heads together and come up with something. But in walk Kiana James & Gina. Kiana tells Gina to take stock of everything, from the furniture to the wall fixtures. Anything that can get them money in liquidation. Gina’s on it. Jensen says hi, but Fallon asks what the hell they’re doing here. Briggs says they should’ve read the sign, y’all ain’t welcome here. Welcome? They should be rolling out a red carpet. A little birdie told them about the Henley financial woes. So she’s going to take care of them. Jensen…
Kiana did some digging, and her friends at the banks told her about the “dreadful financial mismanagement” by the Henleys. This bar owes THOUSANDS in commercial taxes! And they sure don’t have enough in the Escrow to cover it, so Kiana paid it all for them. The bank then placed a lien on the bar. So sorry, but Fallon’s childhood memories aren’t worth much. Kiana will soon buy this bar outright and do whatever she wants with it. Fallon calls Kiana a bitch. Kiana says she prefers “businesswoman.” Okay, then let’s talk business! Next week, Fallon VS Kiana, and when Fallon wins, her family gets the bar, debt free!
Is Fallon delusional? Why would Kiana agree to that? Because if Kiana wins, she can have the bar for “pennies on the dollar.” Deal? Deal. See you next week. Kiana & Gina leave, Jensen isn’t sure what to say. But can Fallon fight to keep her family’s bar? Or will this be a hostile takeover by the Professional Professional Wrestler?
NXT Women’s Tag Team Championships Triple Threat: Kayden Carter & Katana Chance VS Toxic Attraction VS Ivy Nile & Tatum Paxley!
Speaking of settling scores, KC Squared has been dealing with Gigi Dolin & Jacy Jayne talking and stalking them when it comes to these titles, and then the Diamond Mine’s Pitbull and Prospect got in the mix! With the odds not in the champions’ favor, will Kayden & Katana be able to survive for the holidays? Or will we see NEW tag team champions just in time for Christmas?
NXT returns and the Diamond Mine make their entrance. Then the champions make their entrance. The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see if the numbers spell disaster for KC Squared!
The teams sort out, and in this Triple Threat, only two teams are legal at a time. Kayden and Gigi start, forcing Tatum & Ivy to stand down. Gigi and Kayden circle, tie up, and Gigi wrenches to then CLUB Kayden. Gigi bumps Kayden off buckles, tags Jacy, and Gigi whips Jacy in for a back body block! Jacy helps Gigi hit the BRONCO BUSTER, then Jacy adds a CANNONBALL! Cover, TWO! Fans rally, Jacy says Kayden is nothing, but Kayden waistlocks! Jacy switches, Kayden goes to ropes but Ivy tags in as Kayden bucks Jacy away. Ivy runs in, spins Jacy and steps over to hook up an arm! Ivy drags Jacy down to a cover, TWO!
Fans rally for Ivy as she gator rolls with Jacy! Ivy brings Jacy up, whips her to the Diamond corner, then runs in to RIDER KICK! Tag to Tatum, she and Ivy double suplex! They double kip up, then Tatum gets an assist for the STANDING MARIPOSA! Cover, TWO! Tatum drags Jacy to the wrong corner and realizes it before she tags out. Tatum drags Jacy over to tag Ivy, and Ivy drags Jacy up. Ivy wrenches, KICKS and runs, but Jacy ROCKS Ivy! Jacy snarls, runs, but Kayden sneaks a tag! ROLLING ELBOW for Ivy, but then SUPERKICK for Jacy! Gigi runs in but so does Katana, and KC Squared DOUBLE DROPKICK Gigi!
Fans fire up as KC Squared BLAST Tatum off the apron and onto Jacy! All four challengers are gathered together, KC Squared both climb the same corner, for a SUPER DOUBLE CROSSBODY! Fans fire up as the champs stand tall and NXT goes to break.
NXT returns again and Ivy endures a Bow ‘n’ Arrow Stretch from Gigi! Fans rally, Ivy pops out to cover, TWO! Gigi and Ivy get up, Gigi grabs an arm to keep Ivy from Tatum! Gigi short arm LARIATS, then she DECKS Tatum! Ivy KICKS Gigi back, and tags Kayden! Kayden dodges Gigi, BLASTS Jacy, then DECKS Gigi! Gigi gets up into another haymaker! Kayden whips Gigi to a corner, but Tatum tags in! Kayden BOOTS Tatum down, then runs to DROP-SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Kayden grows frustrated but she keeps on Tatum. Fireman’s carry, but Tatum fights and handsprings free of the throw! Tatum DECKS Katana, goes up and over Kayden!
Kayden puts Tatum on the apron, ROCKS her, but Tatum ROCKS Kayden back! Tatum climbs up to get Kayden, but Katana climbs up to tag in! Katana CLUBS Tatum, then gets Tatum for a SUPER DUPER STEINER! Cover, Ivy breaks it! Gigi ROUNDHOUSES Ivy! Kayden SUPERKICKS Gigi! Jacy SUPERKICKS Kayden! Katana ENZIGURIS Jacy! Fans are thunderous as all six women are down all over ringside! “This is Awesome!” as teams regroup at their corners. Ivy tags in, drags Katana up, and she fireman’s carries. Katana fights free, Gigi tags in! Gigi runs Ivy down but Ivy grapples with her to get a cover, TWO!
Gigi CLUBS Ivy, drags her up, and tags Jacy in. Toxic Attraction wrench and ROUNCHOUSE, SUPERKICK, and then FALLING HEDBUTT to a SENTON! Cover, Kayden drags Jacy off! They argue, Jacy tells Kayden to “SUCK IT!” Jacy shrieks, runs in to UPPERCUT Ivy, then runs in to CANNONBALL, but she only gets buckles! Tatum tags in, Ivy gives her a hand, ICONOCLASM TORNILLO!! Cover, Gigi breaks it!! Gigi drags Tatum up, but Tatum throws Gigi into Kayden! Hot tag back to Ivy and she drags Jacy up! But Jacy spins through to hit a NECKBREAKER! Fans fire up as Jacy aims at Ivy. But Katana sneaks a tag!
Kayden YANKS Jacy out of the ring as Katana runs at Ivy! CODE BREAKER! Ivy is down, Kayden tags in! But Tatum SHOVES Katana off the top and onto Toxic Attraction!! Ivy spins things around on Kayden, DIAMOND DRAGON SLEEPER!! Kayden endures, pushes off ropes to get a cover, KC SQUARED WIN!!
Winners: Kayden Carter & Katana Chance, by pinfall (still NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions)
Snatching victory from the jaws of defeat, Kayden & Katana keep the party alive! That was a close one, but will KC Squared always find a way?
Oro Mensah speaks.
“The vibe. The beat. The nightlife. It’s like Orlando is my home away from home. I keep it fresh. I keep it fun. Because music and wrestling have the same frenetic energy. I may not have been here for a long time, but I am here for a good time.” Oro Mensah is on his way back, will he bring the funk and the noise to NXT?
Booker T has a sit-down interview with Roxanne Perez.
Booker starts with just, “Wow. We’re here.” He feels like Morpheus in the Matrix searching for The One, and here she is. Roxie was the one who said when she was a little kid that she’d be the one to make it here. She is now NXT Women’s Champion. Take us back tot hat night. “It was a mix of emotions. I think for the most part, overwhelmed. I honestly didn’t expect for it to happen, but I pulled it off.” Booker knows that she walked into his wrestling school at just 16 years old, and she said, “I want to be in the WWE one day. What can you do to help me get there?” They put in the work, put their foot on the gas, and here, just five years later, NXT Women’s Champion.
Booker says this was like a meteoric rise for her. Roxie wanted to be the youngest-ever champion, and she became an NXT Women’s Tag Champion, the inaugural Women’s Breakout Superstar, and the first-ever Women’s Iron Survivor Challenge winner. And now, she really is the youngest NXT Women’s Champion. All of that within nine months of signing. She did not expect all this to happen. Booker says Roxie made history. She could’ve waited, but why take the shot and want it that night?
Roxie remembered a conversation she had with Booker about her tryout. She remembered what he said: “You need to bet on yourself. You need to bank on yourself.” That is what she remembered when Mandy attacked. She didn’t wanna wait, she wanted to bank on herself, and that is what she did. And then it all worked out. Booker says preparation is the only luck anyone has, and that is what it is for Roxie. She’s been preparing for this since day one, and now she’s champion. Congratulations, Roxie.
Roxie says he’s been asking questions, but he knows from their days in Reality of Wrestling, she’s had plenty of questions. So her first question is, as champion to legend, does he have any advice? Booker has always been about two things: checks and championships. You’ll be nervous, you’ll have butterflies, but you gotta make those butterflies line up and fly straight. When you lose that feeling, that is when it’s time to get out. So Roxie just has to go out there, win, make history, and fight her way to becoming a Hall of Famer. Everyone back home is so proud of her, so she just has to represent. Roxie’s ready! But then, who is next for The Prodigy?
Apollo Crews is here!
Fans cheer the man who was almost NXT Champion at NXT Deadline. But that loss doesn’t seem to have slowed him down, he still has energy as he goes to the ring and gets the mic. “Before I get started, I just have one thing to say. I gotta congratulate the NEW NXT Women’s Champion, Roxanne Perez! I gotta say, that was very, very well deserved. Now, I thought that I’d be leaving Deadline as the NEW NXT Champions. As a matter of fact, I knew it. I knew it in my heart. Man, it was my night! The vision was clear! I had the opportunity to capture the title that I came back to this building for. The title that I came back to this energy for!
“I had the opportunity to capture the title that I cam back to this brand to win. Now we all saw what happened. It didn’t go down like that, and I understand completely that I have been knocked down a few pegs. But that is okay. Cuz I am NOT out of championship contention. Now at New Year’s Evil, Bron Breakker and Grayson Waller will battle it out, and just three weeks after that, NXT is back on the rooooad~! They’re back on the road for Vengeance Day, and that is the time that I see myself stepping-” But wait! Melo makes his way back out! Melo has them cut the music there.
“For a man who talks about visions so much, how can you see that title from the back of the line?” Make no mistake, if we’re talking about who’s next, Melo’s next. Apollo, you’re nice, you’ve got it all, but what you don’t got is what Melo has, and that’s next. They’ve never been 1v1, but Melo has no problem at all putting a future Hall of Famer among those jerseys in the rafters. Apollo expected more from Melo. But credit where credit is due, Melo has everything! He is one of one! Just look at him! Fans do chant for “MELO~! MELO~!” Apollo says Melo looks cool, he has the swagger, the drip! Bell to bell, Melo’s at the top of NXT’s depth chart!
But one thing Melo doesn’t have… Oh, what’s that? The title? Because as Melo looks at Apollo, neither does he! Apollo frowns and Melo talks more trash. Apollo tells Melo, “Let me tell you something, dog. The one thing that you don’t understand, is that no matter how good you think you are, there is always, ALWAYS, someone out there better than you. And I don’t have to stand out here and tell you I am. You name the time, the place, and I’ll show you I am.” The gauntlet has been thrown down, will Melo accept the challenge?
The New Day talks backstage.
Woods is telling Kofi something someone else told him. They told Woods that the number of people that are older than you will never increase. Whoa…! But then Pretty Deadly rushes in with Christmas gifts? Kofi says hi to the #1 contenders! That is, if Kofi & Woods beat Briggs & Jensen. And if Kit & Elton got them everything on their wish lists. Yes! Everything! Oh, really? So they got Kamala’s mask? And Bart Gunn’s Brawl for All trophy? And Santino Marella’s Cobra? Ahmed Johnson’s Legion of Doom shoulder pads? Stevie Ray’s slapjack? Then that means they also got Honky Tonk Man! Kofi took that off the list, you can’t just go get a person. Fair.
But surely, Pretty Deadly got everything else. Kit & Elton double check the list and say they didn’t get quite everything. Then they can’t have their rematch! But how were they supposed to get Nail’s prison jumpsuit? He’s still in prison! Oh, like they’ve never broken the law and been to prison. NO! Then they’re gonna have to! How badly do they want the belts? SO badly! But can’t they pledge allegiance to the flag this time? No, that was last week! And they know inflation is running rampant. Last week’s price is not today’s. The only thing that remains the same is ya bois, the NEW~ DAY~! As the W! W! E! N! X! T! World! Tag! Team! CHAMPIONS~!
And also, get that last one. Tyler Breeze’s selfie stick. Very important, it’s for a party. Okay, see you later. Elton says this isn’t giving them any time to shop for themselves! Kit reminds Elton that this is Christmas time. It sure doesn’t feel like it! Will Kit & Elton be able to pull off an admittedly selfish Christmas miracle?
Alba Fyre walks around backstage.
And then she spots Isla Dawn! Isla laughs, Fyre raises her bat, but she gets RED DUST blown into her face! Fyre staggers around into piping, an official rushes over to help her. They shout for medical, but knowing the Wicked Witch of NXT, was that dust just dust or something worse?
NXT shares footage from last week.
Odyssey Jones, Malik Blade & Edris Enofe were heading out after the show, and they spotted Simone Joh- er, Ava Raine! They invited her along “to get that one two step.” Ava said, “When are you three going to stop trying to fill the void in your lives? Better question, when are you gonna realize the feeling that you’re chasing is temporary?” What? Ava, it ain’t that deep. They just wanna have fun living their best lives. If she doesn’t wanna join, that’s fine. But just know that they don’t believe in all that Schism bull-
But then in walks The Schism! Joe Gacy says, “What’s not to believe, Edris?” What he sees is a family. Jagger Reed says all he sees is three individuals bonded by a false reality that they’ve convinced is fun. Ava tells them to have “fun” tonight. Oh, they will. The Schism leaves, Jones won’t let them ruin the mood.
NXT checks in on Alba Fyre in the medical room.
The dust is stinging Fyre’s eyes and the doc did an eye check. Waller walks by asking about Bron. Fyre tells him to leave! Why’s she mad at him for? Waller goes off still trolling for Bron, but what of Fyre’s eyes? Will she make sure Isla doesn’t see the revenge coming?
Indi Hartwell VS Elektra Lopez!
Another score is being settled here tonight as #IndiWrestling and La Madrina finally have it out in the ring! Will Indi continue to be impressive all on her own? Or will it be Lopez living the high life in NXT?
The bell rings and Indi RAMS Lopez to a corner! Indi RAMS Lopez more, fans fire up but Lopez shoves Indi away. Indi BOOTS Lopez right back down! Cover, ONE, and Lopez tackles Indi! Lopez rains down fists, Indi shoves her away, but Lopez kicks her low. Lopez whips Indi into the corner, but Indi goes up and over! Indi hip tosses Lopez, then covers, ONE! Indi drags Lopez up to whip but Lopez stops herself to KICK back! Lopez ROCKS Indi, KICKS her out of the ring, then goes out after her. The forearms fly, Lopez CLUBS Indi then POSTS her! Lopez talks trash, puts Indi back in, and then KNEES Indi in the back!
Lopez throws another knee, drops an elbow, covers, TWO! Lopez wraps on a chinlock but fans rally up. Indi fights up, but Lopez throws her down by her hair! Cover, TWO! Lopez clamps on a chinlock and she thrashes Indi around! Indi endures and fans rally up, but Lopez fishhooks Indi’s face! The ref reprimands, Lopez stops to KNEE Indi in the back! Lopez CLUBS Indi, CLUBS her again, and then clamps on a chinlock. Lopez smothers Indi but Indi fights up again. Fans rally, Indi rolls Lopez up! ONE, but Indi kicks, CLUBS and JABS! Indi CLOBBERS Lopez, then CLOBBERS her again!
Fans fire up as Lopez goes to the apron. Indi drags Lopez through ropes to UPPERCUT and BOOT! Cover, TWO! Indi is annoyed but she drags Lopez up to whip her to ropes. Lopez ducks ‘n’ dodges and DOUBLE CROSSBODIES collide! Fans rally up as Lopez crawls to a corner. Indi stands, she storms up but Lopez BOOTS her away! Lopez goes up the corner, and brings out brass knuckles from inside the padding!? Indi drags Lopez off the top, but Lopez BRASS KNUCKLE PUNCHES Indi down! Cover, Lopez wins!!
Winner: Elektra Lopez, by pinfall
Lopez hides the evidence in her top, but she got away with one! Will La Madrina make her way to the top of NXT by any means necessary?
NXT again checks in on Fyre.
She tells the doc that she’s fine now. She just wants to be cleared. Well, if her vision is normal and there’s no more pain, then she’s cleared for her match tonight. Okay, thank you. Fyre heads back out, but will there be any side effects of her run-in with Isla?
Backstage interview with Wes Lee.
McKenzie asks him about making a title defense against Tony D’Angelo. Wes says that he refuses to be a reactionary champion. He is bringing the fight to every opponent every single time. He might get some bumps and bruises, but he got here by pushing the envelope, so why stop just because he’s champion? That’s fair. And Wes says after he beats The Don, he can move on. He has to take it one opponent at a time, and he’s starting with the man with the biggest mouth. If Tony wants the title as bad as he says, then he can try taking it from Wes next week. After Tony fails, Wes knows Dijak is waiting to deliver “hard justice.”
Wes says he’s ready to deliver his own cold hard facts. One: this title isn’t leaving Wes’s shoulder any time soon. Will the Must-See Kid stay the Must-See Champion of NXT? Or will Tony D tell him to FOGEDABOUTIT?
Alba Fyre VS Sol Ruca!
The Fire Keeper is fuming after what Isla Dawn has done to her, from that Last Woman Standing match against Mandy to Deadline, to the red dusting here tonight! Will she take out all of that anger on the #SolSurfer? Or will Ruca ride a wave that puts out the Fyre?
Speaking of Dawn, she attacks Fyre inside of her own smoke! The Wicked Witch stomps and ROCKS Fyre, CLUBS her, then ROCKS her again! Dawn grabs Fyre’s hand, puts it between steel steps and post, and then she grabs the baseball bat! Dawn grins as she SMACKS the steps with the bat! Fyre writhes as she clutches her smashed hand! Dawn mocks Fyre’s pain then laughs as she leaves, bat still in hand. Will nothing stop the Wicked Witch from cursing all of NXT?
Chase U holds a holiday party!
Andre Chase and all his students are together and exchanging gifts. The students line up to give Mr. Chase present after present. Thea Hail got Chase a brand new Chase U sweater. Cookies from Anna, and a fruitcake from Scott. Is he crazy?! Chase is ALLERGIC to fruitcake! Another student who brought fruitcake realizes they’re also in trouble… Chase asks if Scott wants him to break out in hives and have his throat close up! “Scott, you dumbass! I hope mother [censored] Santa Claus brings you a mother [censored] lump of coal! A FRUITCAKE?!” Scott leaves, dejected. And then the other students with fruitcake bail out.
Duke Hudson realizes the gift exchange was today, when he thought it was on Thursday. He looks at what Alex has. Duke tells Alex that the principal wants to talk to him. He means the Dean? YES! That! He gets them mixed up, going back and forth from Australia. But it’s something about Alex’s scholarship not rolling over to next semester or something. What?! Alex needs the scholarship! Duke says he’ll hold Alex’s gift and place in line. Alex thanks Duke, and Duke says it’s okay, everything always works out. At least, it works out for Duke. Duke goes up to Chase and says he wasn’t sure what to get the man who has everything.
Duke presents Alex’s present, and Chase is impressed: a “#1 Professor” plaque! Duke hasn’t even been here the whole semester, he didn’t have to do this. Oh, but he did! It’s from the heart. Well Chase appreciates that. He thanks Duke. Duke thanks Chase one hundred times more. Group hug! Merry Christmas from Chase U! But will Duke be the one getting that coal from Santa for being so naughty?
Backstage interview with Briggs, Jensen & Fallon.
McKenzie wants to talk about the confrontation with Kiana James, but she turns to Briggs & Jensen as they’re moments away from challenging The New Day for the NXT Tag Team Championships. Briggs says it’s one thing at a time with the bar. Tonight, they’re ready to rock! They never thought they’d be facing the New Day, let alone in a match for THE NXT Tag Team Championships! Tonight, they’re going balls to the wall! Jensen says New Day are first-ballot hall of famers, this is the biggest match of their lives.
Jensen may have a knot in his stomach right now, but he did say last week that 2023 is gonna be their year! And the best way to walk into it is as the NEW NXT Tag Team Champions! Fallon says, “Boys! Let’s go kick some-” Kiana walks in now? Now’s not the time, Kiana, this isn’t about the bar. Kiana says to save it. Their issue will be handled next week. She’s not here for Fallon. She’s here for Jensen. Jensen drops his hat out of shock as Kiana wishes him good luck! Jensen thanks Kiana for that. And then he nervously says to go to gorilla. Seriously? Fallon and Briggs can’t believe it, but they head out with him.
McKenzie looks at Kiana and she says, “What? I may be all business, but I’m still a woman.” Is there something brewing between Brooks and Miss James?
Drew Gulak is working with trainees.
The Philly Stretcher helps one guy find a way out of a headlock, to a waistlock and to his own headlock. The trainee shifts to a cravat, but then Gulak throws him down for an armlock. “See how easy that was?” Hank Walker then walks over and asks “Mr. Gulak” for a word. Sorry to interrupt, Mr. Gulak, but- No, no, don’t do that. Call him “Drew.” Oh, okay then, Drew. Hank saw Gulak scouting a few weeks ago, including his. Hank knows he isn’t Charlie Dempsey, and he knows he isn’t that good at this, but he isn’t afraid to work hard to get better. He just hopes Gulak has any advice for him. Hank knows he has a lot to prove, but he’s willing to bust his ass.
Gulak admires Hank’s zeal and eagerness. Tell you what? Next week, Gulak’s hosting a seminar, so he wants Hank to attend. Not participate, just observe. Okay then! Yes, sir! Hank will be there. Sorry to interrupt. Gulak says that’s okay, and he returns to the trainees. Will Hank learn a lot from the Catch Point Professor?
NXT Tag Team Championships: The New Day VS Josh Briggs & Brooks Jensen w/ Fallon Henley!
Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods join a short but elite list of WWE Tag Team Triple Crown Winners, and they’re looking to make this reign their biggest one yet! But will they make it through the country boys to reign in the New Year? Or will Briggs & Jensen pull off a Christmas miracle just before Christmas?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see just who (who who who) rocks around the Christmas tree!
The teams sort out and Jensen starts against Kofi while fans sing, “HEY~ We Want Some New~ Day~!” Kofi and Jensen tie up, go around, and Jensen shoves Kofi down! Kofi likes that, and he ties up with Jensen again. They go around, Jensen puts Kofi in a corner but Kofi turns it around to CHOP! Jensen says okay, he swings, but Kofi bobs ‘n’ weaves to SLAP Jensen on the back! Kofi headlocks, Jensen powers out, but Kofi goes up and over in the corner. Kofi bunny hops to the beat, “NEW! DAY ROCKS!” Jensen rushes in, Kofi waistlocks him to headlock him. Jensen powers out and runs Kofi over!
Jensen CHOPS Kofi down, then does a two step. Things speed up, Kofi hurdles, hurdles and leaps, but into a waistlock! Kofi flails to resist the lift but he can’t get loose. Jensen shoves Kofi away, scoops and POWERSLAMS! Cover, ONE!! Kofi hurries away and he tags in Woods. Woods and Jensen tie up, fans sing “HAIL KING WOODS!” as Jensen puts Woods in a corner. Jensen storms up but Woods elbows him away! Woods goes up, leaps, but Jensen catches him! Jensen swings Woods around, but Woods slips off the scoop! Woods shoves Jensen to mule kick! Woods CHOPS Jensen, whips, but Jensen reverses!
Woods ducks, dodges ‘n’ slides under to ROLLING ELBOW! Jensen goes to the corner, Woods runs in to forearm smash! Kofi tags in, Kofi taunts Briggs and forearm smashes! Woods runs in to forearm smash! Kofi runs in to SHOTGUN Jensen down! Fans fire up as Kofi stomps away on Jensen! Tag to Woods, Kofi whips Woods in to basement dropkick! Woods drags Jensen out, covers, TWO! Fans rally and Woods smirks as he brings Jensen up. Woods whips, Jensen hurdles, Briggs tags before the FACEBUSTER! Kofi runs in but Briggs runs him over! Fans are torn as Briggs & Jensen whip The New Day.
The New Day wheelbarrow but Briggs & Jensen turn that into atomic drops! Briggs & Jensen shove the New Day onto ropes, then they both slide out to ROCK the New Day with haymakers! Fans fire up and Kiana is in the front row to cheer Jensen on as NXT goes picture in picture.
Briggs & Jensen get back in the ring, Briggs drags Woods up and ROCKS Woods with a haymaker! Tag to Jensen, Briggs feeds Woods to a bearhug! Jensen squeezes tight, then he RAMS Woods into the corner! Tag to Briggs, feed to another bearhug! Briggs squeezes tight, RAMS Woods in, and Jensen tags back in. Another feed to another bearhug! Woods endures as Jensen RAMS Woods in again! Tag to Briggs, but Woods sunset flips this time! Briggs breaks free, to NECK TWIST! Woods writhes, Briggs stays between him and Kofi. Briggs brings Woods up but Woods throws body shots! Woods ROCKS Briggs, mule kicks, and tags Kofi!
Woods KNEES Briggs, wrenches an arm, and Kofi goes up to AX HANDLE! Kofi keeps Briggs from Jensen to wrench the arm again. Tag to Woods, Woods climbs up and he AX HANDLES the arm! Woods whips Briggs, Briggs reverses but Woods goes up, only for Briggs to stop him from going over! Briggs reels Woods in for a BIG back suplex! Briggs covers, TWO! Briggs keeps Woods down, tags in Jensen, and Jensen drags Woods into a chinlock. Woods endures as Jensen grinds him down and NXT returns to single picture. Fans rally with “NEW! DAY ROCKS!” and Woods fights up! Woods reaches out, Jensen keep shim away, but Woods throws Jensen off!
Jensen gets a leg, Woods hops on one foot, but he ENZIGURIS Jensen away! Jensen staggers around in a daze, Woods crawls over, hot tag to Kofi! Kofi CLOBBERS Jensen, DECKS Briggs, then CHOPS and CHOPS and DROPKICSK Jensen! Jensen rebounds, he ducks Kofi’s leaping lariat and kicks low! Jensen whips Kofi but Kofi goes up and up to CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Kofi fires up and fans cheer the “NEW~ DAY~” BOOM DROP! Fans fire up as Kofi claps it up in the corner. Jensen stands, Kofi spins, but into a waistlock! Back suplex, but Kofi lands on his feet! Kofi clinches Jensen, for an SOS! Cover, ROPEBREAK!!
Kofi can’t believe it but Kiana is impressed by Jensen’s wherewithal. Kofi brings Jensen up, reels him in again, S O- NO, Jensen gut wrenches free and POWER- NO, Kofi ranas! Briggs tags in and he rallies on the New Day with fists and a BOOT! Briggs CROSSBODIES Woods on the outside! Kofi FLIES, but Briggs catches him! Briggs RAMS Kofi into the apron, pops him up against the ropes and CLOBBERS him! Woods baseball slides, but Briggs catches him, too! And he pop-up CLOBBERS Woods, too!! Briggs shoves Kofi in the ring, he tags Jensen, and Kofi spins, but into a clinch! POP-UP ATOMIC DROP, to the BOOT!! High stack, TWO?!!?
Kofi survives and Jensen is beside himself! Jensen wipes blood from a busted lip and fans are thunderous for “NXT! NXT!” Jensen TOSSES Kofi to the corner, tags Briggs, and they put Kofi up top. Briggs & Jensen climb but Woods gets on the apron. Jensen CLOBBERS Woods, but Kofi slips out under Briggs to DECK Jensen! Briggs BOOTS Kofi down, then adjusts up top, to MOONSAULT!! Cover, TWO!?!? Fans are stunned and Fallon can’t believe it! Briggs hitting the moonsault was one thing, but Kofi surviving it is another! “This is Awesome!” as Briggs drags Kofi up again. Briggs Electric Chair Lifts, and Jensen is up top!
But Woods SHOVES Jensen off the top! Jensen hits the announce desk! Kofi POISON-RANAS Briggs!! And then, TROUBLE IN PARADISE!! Tag to Woods, Kofi FLIES to take out Jensen!! Woods is up top, LIMIT BREAKER!! Cover, New Day wins!!
Winners: The New Day, by pinfall (still NXT Tag Team Champions)
The country boys couldn’t survive taking on the living legends, but fans are saying it again, “That was Awesome!” Kofi & Woods show respect to Briggs & Jensen, and Briggs & Jensen show it back. The New Day rocks in NXT, but who will be next to step up?
Channing Lorenzo finds Dijak.
Stacks tells Dijak that this is how they dish out justice. Next week, Dijak stays out of The Don’s way and Stacks won’t have to end the return before it gets going. Deal? Oh, Stacks was just rehearsing that in front of Dijak’s room. Stacks says he has this, and he storms into Dijak’s room. Will Hard Justice hear out The Don’s right hand man?
Waller is still searching.
“Where you at, Bron?” Waller doesn’t know where Bron went, but Bron knows where to find Waller! Waller says he’s going to the ring, because he is the future NXT Champion! Waller continues on to gorilla, but will he get what he wants? Or just what he deserves?
The countdown to January 10th continues!
“New Year. New Me. No resolutions needed.” But just who IS this?
The Diamond Mine is heading out.
NXT Media walks up to note the “tough loss” for Ivy & Tatum. They sticking together as a team? What kind of question is that? Everyone goes through growing pains. Just look at Katana & Kayden. Ivy says that it was a tough loss, but she knows she and Tatum made progress. The reporter asks Julius & Brutus Creed if they’re proud of Ivy & Tatum. Hell yeah they are! Ivy & Tatum busted their asses in that ring. But then Indus Sher calls over to the Creeds. They heard a rumor that Julius is cleared to compete. Oh, now they wanna talk? Yes, he is cleared! Sanga & Veer can get it whenever!
Veer says Julius has shown his judgment can’t be trusted. They needs to show Indus Sher something. Then watch next week! Julius is going 1v1 with JD McDonagh, the guy who hurt him, and will prove it to them. Then Indus Sher will be out of excuses! They’ll make this happen. Diamond Mine leaves, Indus Sher is ready. But will Julius make it through the Irish Ace in one piece to settle things with Veer & Sanga on the other side?
Grayson Waller heads to the ring!
The winner of the Men’s Iron Survivor Challenge was “inspired” to call out Bron Breakker, but Bron wasn’t even scheduled to be here tonight. Waller still expects the NXT Champion to show himself tonight, and he gets a mic to shout, “Where you at, huh?! I ain’t waiting any longer! I’m calling my shot! I want the NXT Championship right here, right now! Let’s do this!” But oh wait, he forgot that Bron’s a coward! Waller has carried NXT on his back for the entirety of 2022, making moment after moment after moment! He’s the biggest star here! No one can touch him! He lives NXT 24/7, and there isn’t a man or woman on NXT or in the WWE that can do what he does!
Waller says he’s the biggest star, the greatest Iron Survivor, and soon to be the greatest NXT Champions of ALL TIME! “And people think that Bron likes the bark because he got that dog in him.” But Waller doesn’t think Bron is a dog at all! Bron’s just a- Wait, who is honking as they pull up to the arena? IT’S BRON!! Well good! This is what Waller wanted! Waller isn’t afraid of Bron! He’s not afraid of anyone! Let’s go! Waller sure is barking, but here comes Bron! Bron runs into the ring, he ducks the lariat to SPEAR Waller!! But wait, Bron goes down, too!? Waller sits up, and unzips his jacket, and he reveals A KEVLAR VEST WITH A STEEL PLATE IN IT!!
Fans boo as Waller gets the better of Bron! Waller gets the mic to say, “I outsmarted you tonight. I outsmarted you at Deadline. And at New Year’s Evil, I’m gonna outsmart you one more time when I become NXT CHAMPION! Because that, Bron Breakker, is the Grayson Waller Effect!” Waller holds up the title while Bron finally comes to. Will Waller take this title from Bron by any means necessary?
My Thoughts:
A very good NXT here to set up what’s coming at New Year’s Evil. Melo VS Axiom was a great opening match, but I should’ve known Trick would help Melo cheat. This kinda extends from last night’s complaint about Heels using assists to win all the time. But at least Axiom got to wipe Trick out at the end there. Melo then confronting Apollo later is a great set-up for a match between the two of them for New Year’s Evil, the winner going on to Vengeance Day to challenge the champion. And the winner there surely depends on who is champion at the end of New Year’s Evil.
I figured that Waller calling out Bron, even though Bron was supposedly in Carolina, was going to result in Bron showing up tonight. Now, Waller having a metal plate to defend against Bron’s Spear was a really good surprise, and a pretty smart move. But Waller again holds up the belt, so given that math, I do not see him winning at New Year’s Evil. As such, Apollo VS Bron happening again doesn’t seem likely, so Melo has to win at New Year’s Evil to finally challenge for the top title at Vengeance Day. Melo can be the first big win on the road, which is great for him and for NXT.
Tony D’Angelo getting a title match for the last NXT of 2022 is fitting. They could really close out the year with a great match and great story stuff. Good promo from Tony to set up Stacks, good promo from Wes to respond, and I like that Stacks wasn’t quite brave enough to tell Dijak off on camera. For all we know, he did tell Dijak all that and now he’s in a dumpster out behind the Performance Center. I would hope for the sake of the title match, Dijak lets it end properly, then he goes after the winner, who I presume will be Wes because his reign can’t end with just one title defense. Then Wes and Dijak can take their title match to New Year’s Evil for something even bigger.
Really good stuff out from Stark VS Lyons, and good cheating win from Stark. Pretty sure the feud isn’t over here, it’s just beginning, and these two can escalate things to something bigger for New Year’s Evil. Same can be said for Isla Dawn and Alba Fyre. The dust was apparently just to delay Fyre’s match so Dawn could strike again. Dawn going after Fyre’s arm like that, that definitely helps delay the rematch until New Year’s Evil. And then Cora’s promo, smug as it was, was cut off by Wendy and they brawled, so we know we’re getting that match. And then we got a good match from Indi and Lopez, but what a great cheat from Lopez. Their feud is far from over, too, so there will surely be a rematch on the way.
It seems that Odyssey, Malik & Edris are moving on from Von after all, and they’re on to The Schism. That at least has some continuity to it from when Grimes was feuding with The Schism and Malik & Edris were dragged into it for a short moment. We’re getting a Six Man Tag, but chances are, Ava will interfere on The Schism’s behalf because that always happens in these kinds of stories. Who knows, maybe Odyssey’s side adds a female superstar that’s been waiting for a story to this story.
The Chase U segment this week was really funny with Chase cussing out the student who brought fruitcake, and how Duke sniped Alex’s gift. I was wondering if they were going to show us Duke’s sneaky side again, and it seems it’s still alive and well. Good promo from Hank Walker and Drew Gulak, it feels like they’re already setting up a team-up where Hank and Drew take on Damon Kemp and Charlie Dempsey. Maybe Hank tries to make a transition from a brawler in jeans to a wrestler in tights, but I didn’t see this coming so I would like to see where this is going.
Great Women’s Tag Team Championship match, and I like how great Ivy & Tatum got to look, even in losing. Kayden & Katana basically survive with the titles, but now I have no idea where they go from here. Good promo from Diamond Mine as a whole later on, Ivy & Tatum are clearly going to keep trying so maybe they move into the same role we saw KC Squared in pretty much this entire year until now. They’ll scratch and claw, face whatever teams they have to, and then finally get to be challengers again by perhaps Stand & Deliver. As for the Creeds and Indus Sher, Julius setting himself up against JD McDonagh, I have a feeling that isn’t going to go well for him.
We also got some really good development in the story of Fallon and her bar and how Kiana wants it. At the same time, it seems Kiana has actual interest in Jensen, so that’s an interesting layer. Maybe Kiana ends up the one torn between a choice as Jensen begs Kiana to spare Fallon and her family. But she had a good part of the promo with Jensen, Briggs and Fallon before the main event, as did The New Day in their promo with Pretty Deadly. It’s hilarious how the New Day is creating hoops for them to jump through to get a title shot. And then great main event for the tag titles, probably the best showing from Briggs & Jensen since they won the NXT UK Tag titles. But I figured New Day would win, so now we’re going to get a great build to Pretty Deadly’s rematch.
My Score: 8.7/10
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
Coverage
Mitchell’s Road to Wrestling Dontaku Results & Report! (4/27/24)
Rural Revitalization continues!
Will Great-O-Khan be setting the table?
It’s Rural Revitalization in Hiroshima for the KOPW Championship! Can Yuya Uemura survive tires, lemons and a table? Or will Great-O-Khan conquer him for the United Empire?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Frontier Zone – Boltin Oleg & Toru Yano VS Rey Paloma & HANZO; Oleg & Yano win.
- Six Man Tag: Tiger Mask & Bishamon VS Bullet Club; Bullet Club wins.
- Zack Sabre Jr. & Kosei Fujita VS Jeff Cobb & Francesco Akira; Cobb & Akira win.
- Six Man Tag: El Desperado, Shota Umino & Tomohiro Ishii VS The House of Torture; Desperado, Shota & Ishii win.
- Hiroshi Tanahashi & Katsuya Murashima VS Tomoaki Honma & Shoma Kato; Tanahashi & Murashima win.
- DOUKI & Taka Michinoku VS SHO & Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Sho & Yoshinobu win.
- NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships: TMDK VS El Phantasmo & Hikuleo; TMDK wins and retains the titles.
- KOPW Championship Rural Revitalization: Great-O-Khan VS Yuya Uemura; Yuya wins and becomes the new KOPW Champion.
- 10 Man Tag Elimination Match: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Bullet Club War Dogs; LIJ wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships: TMDK w/ Zack Sabre Jr. VS El Phantasmo & Hikuleo w/ Jado!
Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls snatched the titles away during the Windy City Riot, but the Guerrillas of Destiny are getting their rematch! Will the Headbanga & Young Guerilla redeem themselves on the Road to Wrestling Dontaku? Or will they see The Mighty Don’t Kneel?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see if The Mighty stay NJPW Strong!
The teams sort out and Hysterical Haste starts against ELP. The fans rally up with the bell and the two circle. They tie up, are in a deadlock, but then Shane cording holds into a wrench and wristlock. ELP rolls, handsprings and wrenches back. ELP keeps Shane from ropes so Shane rolls, kips up, snapmares and KICKS ELP! The fans cheer while Shane shakes out his leg. ELP grimaces as he stands and shakes out the arm. The two reset, tie up, and ELP waistlocks. ELP goes for a chinlock but Shane standing switches. ELP switches, Shane switches again, and repeat. ELP headlocks, Shane powers out, then reels ELP in for a headlock.
ELP powers out, Shane runs him over, and then he sits ELP up to run. ELP drops under, hurdles over, but Shane shoves him. ELP rolls off Shane’s back to RANA! The fans fire up as ELP kips up and fixes his hair. The fans rally for “E L P! E L P!” while Shane is in a corner. Shane comes back to fire a forearm! ELP fires a forearm back! Shane fires another forearm so ELP gives it back. They go back and forth, faster and faster, and the fans rally up! ELP gets the edge, but Shane UPPERCUTS! Shane CHOPS ELP, whips him corner to corner, but ELP goes up and over and keeps moving. ELP fakes Shane out to avoid the dropkick!
ELP goes to ropes to LIONSAULT but Shane moves! ELP sits up but avoids the Penalty Kick! The two stand off and the fans cheer! Shane and ELP reset, and Leo reaches out. ELP tags him in and the fans rally up. Shane tags Mikey, and he circles with Leo. They get face to face, and Mikey pie faces Leo! They tie up, Leo shoves Mikey away, but Mikey comes back. They tie up, Mikey headlocks but Leo lifts. Mikey thrashes the hold, Leo powers out and they RAM shoulders! Leo eggs Mikey on so Mikey runs and they RAM shoulders! Leo runs, Mikey ELBOWS him! Mikey runs, Leo runs him over! The fans fire up as Leo flexes.
Leo drags Mikey up, suplexes, but Mikey fights it! Mikey tries to suplex but Leo’s so tall! Leo suplexes, Mikehy slips free to waistlock, but Leo RAMS him into a corner! Leo runs in, Mikey dodges, only for Leo to LARIAT outta the corner! Tag to ELP and the Guerrillas get Mikey up. ELP BLASTS Shane while Leo whips Mikey to a corner. Leo SPLASHES, ELP clotheslines, then feed to the SIDEWALK SLAM and FALLING AX HANDLE! The Guerrillas high-five, ELP covers, TWO! ELP brings Mikey up but Mikey fights the suplex! Mikey powers out, whips, but ELP BLASTS Shane! ELP dodges Mikey, waistlocks, but Mikey swings. ELP ducks, into a DDT!
The fans fire up while Mikey shoves ELP over and tags in Shane. Mikey brings ELP up to TOSS him out, and then Mikey BLASTS Leo! Shane whips ELP into railing! Shane flexes, fans applaud, and Shane drags ELP up. APRON BACK SUPLEX! Shane shoves ELP in, covers, ROPEBREAK! The fans rally as ELP stays in this but Shane grabs one of ELP’s hands. Shane stretches out the arm to then KICK ELP in the shoulder! Shane brings ELP up but ELP fires forearms! Shane shoves ELP but ELP ELBOWS Mikey! ELP fires off on Shane, whips, but Shane reverses and Mikey trips ELP up! Shane basement dropkicks ELP and he spins around into a HAYMAKER from Mikey!
ELP flops to the floor, Mikey claims the apron is slippery, but the referee reprimands him all the same. The ring count starts but Mikey puts ELP in at 4 of 20. Shane covers, TWO! Shane keeps ELP down with body scissors. ELP endures, reaches out, drags Shane along as he crawls over, and the fans rally up. Shane grabs ELP’s arm and brings him into a cover, TWO! Shane whips ELP away into The Mighty corner! Tag to Mikey, he sends Shane in, but ELP puts Shane on the apron! ELP BOOTS Mikey, ROUNDHOUSES Shane, then runs, but Mikey catches him! Mikey RAMS ELP back into the corner!
Mikey taunts Leo then digs boots into ELP. The fans rally up and ELP throws body shots. Mikey eggs ELP on so ELP CHOPS! ELP tries to get under but Mikey grabs a leg and drags him back! Tag to Shane, and Shane stomps ELP down. Shane kicks ELP around, kicks him more, but ELP fires off hands! Shane back drops ELP up and away! The fans rally while Shane drags ELP back to a cover, but Leo breaks it! Shane drags ELP back, tags Mikey in, and TMDK mug ELP. ELP sputters, Mikey tags Shane back in, and Shane sucker punches Leo! Mikey hoists ELP up but ELP BOOTS Shane! ELP backs Mikey into the corner, then goes up and over Shane!
Shane runs into Mikey but Mikey still pursues ELP. Mikey drags ELP back but ELP ENZIGIRIS free! The fans fire up, but Shane gets ELP’s legs! ELP BOOTS Shane away, hurries up again, but Mikey BLASTS Leo first! Mikey then brings ELP around to back suplex! ELP lands on his feet, but Shane back suplexes! ELP still lands on his feet, then he ducks under TMDK to hot tag Leo! The fans fire up as Leo UPPERCUTS Shane, swings on Mikey, but Mikey dodges, only for Leo to BOOT him! Leo scoops Shane for SNAKE EYES and a BOOT! The fans fire up with Leo while Shane and Mikey go to opposite corners.
Leo runs in to SPLASH Mikey! Leo keeps going but Shane BOOTS him! Shane runs up but Leo ELBOWS him down! Leo runs to drop the JUMPING ELBOW on Shane! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up and Leo watches Shane stir. Shane rises, Leo choke grips! GODS- NO, Shane slips free and Mikey fires a forearm! Shane UPPERCUTS, Mikey LARIATS, but Leo stays up! Shane runs to LARIAT! Leo roars, but TMDK double kick! TMDK reels Leo in, but Leo DOUBLE SUPLEXES them instead! The fans fire up and Leo watches TMDK bail out. Leo tags ELP and ELP goes up. Leo helps him walk the tightrope, to ARIHARA MOONSAULT TMDK down at the ramp!
The fans fire up again, and Leo goes out to get Shane in. ELP & Leo get Shane up to CHOP, straitjacket torture rack, and then Leo runs. BOOT into the spin, BRAIN SALAD! Cover, Mikey breaks it! Mikey fires forearms on Leo & ELP, runs, but ELP hurdles so Leo can DDT! Mikey bails out, the fans fire up, and ELP tunes up the band. Shane rises, into SUDDEN- NO, Shane dodges! Shane runs up, but into Leo’s hands! ELP aims, but Shane pulls Leo into SUDDEN DEATH! Shane UPPERCUTS ELP and DROPKICKS Leo! Shane KICKS ELP, BOOTS him, then reels him in for an INVERTED EXPLODER! Cover, TWO!!
ELP survives and Shane is surprised! The fans fires up, Shane and ELP rise, and ELP staggers to a corner. Shane puts ELP up top, ROCKS him with a right, then climbs up. Shane brings ELP up but ELP fires body shots! ELP HEADBUTTS Shane down but Mikey tags in! Shane goes up, ELP sends him back down, so Mikey UPPERCUTS! Mikey gives Shane the boost, and they get ELP for the SUPERPLEX BOMB COMBO! Cover, TWO!! ELP survives but Mikey powers up and runs, SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO!! ELP survives again and the fans fire up! Mikey grows frustrated, he drags ELP up and reels him in.
ELP slips free of the Blue Thunder to kick and tuck the arms! But Mikey trips ELP to jackknife bridge, TWO! ELP rolling clutches! TWO and Mikey has the cover! TWO and ELP ghost pins, TWO!! Mikey escapes but ELP dodges! ELP DROPKICKS Mikey down and the fans fire up! Both men crawl, hot tag to Leo! Leo runs to BLAST Shane, then he turns to look at Mikey. Mikey eggs Leo on, then fires forearms! Leo ROCKS Mikey with just one! Mikey fires another flurry, but Leo ROCKS Mikey again! Leo eggs Mikey on and the fans rally. Mikey kicks low, ROCKS Leo, then runs, but into a scoop! Tag to ELP before the POWERSLAM!
ELP goes up to SWANTON BOMB! And then LIONSAULT! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up, ELP tags Leo back in, and they tune up the band again! Mikey rises, but Shane trips Leo! Mikey ROCKS ELP, Shane UPPERCUTS ELP! Feed to the scoop but ELP slips free! ELP shoves Mikey into Shane, and Leo grabs them both! But both Shane & Mikey fight free of the choke slams! Shane KNEES, Mikey FOREARMS, but then ELP fires off on TMDK! ELP runs, but into a double trophy lift! THUNDER- DOUBLE DDTS!! ELP turns things around on TMDK, and the fans are thunderous! Mikey stands up into SUDDEN DEATH! ELP PLANCHAS onto Shane!
GODSEND for Mikey! ELP then climbs up the ropes, then climbs onto Leo! SUPER THUNDERKISS 86!! Cover, but Shane barrels through ELP to break it!! The fans are thunderous again but ELP is frustrated. ELP fires off on Shane, runs, but Shane LARIATS! Shane dodges Leo but runs into the POWER TRIP! GOD- NO, Mikey rolls Leo up!! TMDK WINS!!
Winners: TMDK, by pinfall (still NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions)
Leo is furious! He is sure Mikey pulled tights there! He stomps at Mikey, pushes past ELP and goes after Mikey on the outside! Mikey and Leo push each other around, but there’s nothing Leo can do about this one. Will he and ELP just have to fight their way back up to the top? As for TMDK, will they continue to rock ‘n’ roll through the ranks with all this gold?
KOPW Championship Rural Revitalization: Great-O-Khan w/ Callum Newman & Francesco Akira VS Yuya Uemura w/ Taka Michinoku & Taichi!
It’s Rural Revitalization 2: Hiroshima Style! The Dominator just managed to make it past Tanga Loa, will he make it through the Heat Storm? Or will KOPW soon belong to Just5Guys?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who can put in the work!
This first round is Mazda tire carrying. Each man has a big orange cone placed in their corner, so they simply have to go fetch the tires from the stacks outside. Whoever gets four tires first wins the round! The bell rings, Yuya kicks Khan then heads for ropes, but Khan reels him in for a BIG back suplex! Khan goes out now, hurries up the ramp, and grabs two tires at once! The fans cheer and Khan gets those tires in the ring. Then he goes back for more! A risky move but that means four tires are on play. Yuya DROPKICKS Khan and here’s where the risk is involved! Yuya aims to PLANCHA but Khan chucks a tire!
Yuya falls back, Khan gets the tires in then drags Yuya out. Khan CLUBS away on Yuya against the apron, then uses a tire to bind Yuya’s legs! Khan CLUBS Yuya more, and Khan even ties Yuya up in the ropes! Khan sacrifices two tires to trap Yuya! The fans cheer the creativity, and Khan STOMPS Yuya on the apron before heading for more tires. Yuya works to get free as Khan brings two more tires to the ring. Khan sets those tires in, Yuya gets free, but Khan has stacked two tires. Then three, but Yuya DROPKICKS him down! Yuya takes the tires off Khan’s cones, leaving him with just one. Yuya goes out to get the last tires remaining!
Yuya brings tires to his cone, then clears out some space. Yuya has two tires, steals Khan’s one, but then Khan grabs Yuya for an IRON CLAW SLEEPER! Yuya fights free, but Khan Mongolian Chops him down! Khan throws the tires off Yuya’s cone, then throws the cone! We’re back to zero and zero, and Khan whips Yuya into a corner, to then clothesline him! The fans fire up as Khan climbs up and sits on his throne! Khan then hops down to Mongolian Chop! And Mongolian Chops! And Mongolian CHOP! Yuya sits down, Khan takes a tire, but then THROWS it at Yuya! Yuya goes up and over and AX HANDLES Khan down!
The fans rally as Khan grabs tires and cone, and he starts stacking! Yuya has two, then three! He just needs to find one more! Yuya grabs one from outside, but Khan reels him in! Khan DECKS Yuya, then undoes some of the stack. Khan confiscates a tire, makes sure it’s nice and bouncy, but also works up quite the sweat. The fans rally as Khan aims and takes a swing, only for Yuya to counter tire with tire! They clash again, and again! Then they set up for TIRE SUMO! And again, TIRE SUMO! They run in again, and Khan RAMS Yuya! Yuya is disarmed, and Khan CLOBBERS him with the TIRE SUMO!
The fans fire up while Yuya is down and Khan grabs tires. Khan says he’s not done with Yuya yet. Khan starts stacking tires at the center of the ring, then drags Yuya up. Khan clinches Yuya into HITSUJIGOROSHI! Yuya endures, even as Khan throws knees! Khan then scoops to SLAM Yuya on the tires! That’ll leave some skid marks! Khan then drags Yuya off the stack, brings him up and around, to then put a tire around his head. And then another! Yuya’s two tired to stand but Khan makes him! Khan throws a BODY BLOW, then he TRIPS Yuya into a TIRE DDT! The fans fire up while Khan grabs the other tires.
Khan stacks tires on his cone, that’s two. Khan hurries to find other tires on the outside, and he has a third. Khan considers his options, and takes one of the tires from Yuya. But Yuya clings to the tires, so Khan stomps him! Yuya refuses to let go of the tires! Khan stomps Yuya more but Yuya defends the tire with his body! Khan claws at Yuya, they tug-o-war over the tire, but Khan pulls on Yuya’s ear! Yuya kicks low, kicks again, then SMACKS Khan with the tire, and DROPKICKS Khan down! The tire goes tumbling out of the ring while Yuya fires up! Yuya takes Khan’s tires, hurries them over to his cone, that’s three right there!
Now Yuya has to hurry and find another! Yuya goes outside, grabs the tire, but Khan intercepts! They tug-o-war again, but then Khan RAMS Yuya into a corner! Khan takes this tire, that’s one. Khan finds tires on the outside and brings them in! Yuya hurries to cover tires again! Khan stomps Yuya, still stacks three, so it’s all down to this seventh tire! Yuya and Khan tug-o-war yet again, the fans rallying behind them! Khan grabs Yuya’s arm, but Yuya slips around to a SLEEPER! Khan fights up but Yuya squeezes tight! Yuya then CLUBS away on Khan, runs, but into a TIRE SWEEP! And a BASEMENT DROPKICK!
Khan grabs the final tire, but Yuya schoolboys him away! Yuya rolls through, snatches the tire, and complete his stack! Yuya wins the first round!
Khan: 0; Yuya: 1
Just like with Tanga Loa, Khan drops the ball in the first round! But then, will history repeat itself here as we prepare for the second round?
The tarps are set down, the table is set, and it’s time to eat up some Hiroshima lemons! Khan makes sure the people watching at home and around the world understand that Hiroshima lemons are the best, which probably means they’re the most sour. Khan puts on his bandana and takes his seat at the table. He and Yuya get some wet wipes to clean their hands, and it all comes down to who finishes their one lemon first. Ready, set, EAT! Yuya starts fast and that face shows how sour these are. Khan says hold on, and he just takes a HUGE bite! Yuya is suffering but Khan is reveling in the sourness! Khan’s already halfway through!
Yuya can barely keep the lemon in, but Khan’s eaten it all up! Can he get it all down before Yuya? Khan is chewing and chewing, Yuya is practically shaking from how sour it all is! Khan keeps going and… Yes, Khan has it all down! Khan wins!
Khan: 1; Yuya: 1
Khan now lets his body feel the stinging sweetness, and he says it was delicious! But then, that leaves us with this third and final round. And this time it’s a TABLES match! Who will be feeling sour and sore after this one?
The bell rings, both men rush in, Yuya dodges to fire haymakers! Yuya whips, Khan reverses but Yuya CLOBBERS him! Khan gets up, but Yuya DROPKICKS him down! Khan bails out, Yuya aims and PLANCHAS! Direct hit at the ramp, and the Heat Storm fires back up! The table is there, so Yuya drags Khan right up! Yuya goes to suplex but Khan blocks! Khan fights with body shots, turns things around, but Yuya fights the suplex! They fight for control, but Khan RAMS Yuya into the apron! The fans rally, Khan drags Yuya back up, and whips him into railing! Yuya tumbles up and over into No Man’s Land!
Khan storms out after Yuya and he asks fans move aside. Young Lions help the fans clear out while Khan drags Yuya up. Khan brings Yuya around and reminds everyone, No Disqualifications! Khan BOWLS Yuya through chairs, and that’s definitely a strike! The fans cheer Khan as he stands on chairs, but then asks more fans to move aside! Khan stomps Yuya, stomps a chair onto Yuya, then tosses that chair aside. Sorry to whoever had that seat… Khan then drags Yuya up and brings him around, but Yuya throws body shots! Khan Mongolian Chops Yuya down! Khan drags Yuya back up, and BOWLS him into more chairs!
Yuya is stuck on the seats, that wasn’t quite a strike. But Khan stacks chairs on Yuya to pick up the spare. Khan SMACKS chair with chair! Yuya sputters while fans applaud, and Khan goes back to fetch Yuya. Taichi and Taka are there but so are Newman and Akira. The Empire keeps the two out of five guys at bay while Khan drags Yuya to the back of the crowd. Khan whips Yuya into the emergency exit! Khan then SLAMS railing down on Yuya, and then SMACKS railing with railing! Khan talks trash while Taka and Taichi coach Yuya up. The ref checks Yuya, but he’s somehow able to continue, so Khan drags him up.
Khan brings Yuya around to drag him through the chairs! Khan brings Yuya back to ringside, then into the ring. The fans applaud, and then Khan goes looking under the ring. Khan eventually finds another lemon! Khan takes a big bite and uses the citrus to power up! Then he DIGS the lemon into Yuya’s face! The citric acid burns but the fans fire up! Khan goes to fetch the table from outside, puts it inside, and then sets it up in a corner. The fans rally up as Khan stalks Yuya. Khan drags Yuya up, reels him in to scoop, but Yuya slips free! Khan avoids hitting table, but Yuya DOUBLE CHOPS! Yuya whips Khan into the blue corner, then DOUBLE CHOPS again!
The fans fire up and Yuya grits his teeth. Yuya roars, brings Khan up and reels him in for a BIG back suplex! The fans rally again and Yuya brings Khan up. Yuya clinches, but Khan fights the lift! Yuya still tries, but Khan fights it to a head ‘n’ arm clinch. Yuya gets around, headlocks, but Khan pops out to waistlock. Yuya fights being pushed around, then switches to get an arm. Khan clinches but so does Yuya. They fight for control, and Khan’s SAYANAGI takes Yuya down! The fans fire up and both men stir. Yuya flops out of the ring, but Khan crawls in pursuit. Khan drags Yuya up, then RAMS him into railing!
Yuya writhes, Khan goes looking under the ring, and he brings out another TABLE! Khan SMACKS Yuya with the table, then stands the table up at ringside. Khan drags Yuya up, SMACKS him off the apron, then climbs up. Khan drags Yuya up onto the apron, Mongolian Chops, then regular CHOPS! Khan UPPERCUTS, then clamps on the IRON CLAW! Khan scoops but Yuya fights free! Yuya DROPKICKS! Khan holds onto ropes to stay up, but Yuya hurries to run! Yuya LARIATS, but into the IRON CLAW!! Khan drags Yuya up and over, ELIMINATOR- NO, Yuya grabs ropes to fight that off! Khan kicks low, winds up, but Yuya traps the arm!
Yuya traps the other arm, takes aim, but Khan fights the Deadbolt with all his might!! The fans are thunderous as Yuya still tries! Khan BITES Yuya’s ear! And then POSTS him! But Yuya runs up, into a BOOT! Yuya falls back, Khan sits down, and the fans rally again! Khan undoes his hand tape, ends up pushing the table over, and then he folds it all up. Khan puts the table in the ring, pushes Yuya aside, and then he sets this table up again, in the blue corner. Yuya goes up top to CROSSBODY! The fans fire up as Yuya roars! Yuya has his choice as he hauls Khan up. Yuya traps the arms, but Khan makes it a BELLY2BELLY!
But Yuya rises back up! Yuya runs in, gets around, and GERMAN SUPLEXES! But Khan’s right up! Khan LARIATS Yuya down! The fans fire up as Yuya is right back up, and URENAGES! Both men are down again and the fans are thunderous! Khan flounders around, he and Yuya crawl to center, and Yuya fires a forearm! Khan gives it back! Both men stand, and Yuya fires a haymaker! Khan comes back to forearm! Yuya wobbles, but he comes back to HAYMAKER! Khan staggers, wobbles, but comes back to FOREARM! Both men stagger, but Yuya fires another haymaker! Khan fires a flurry of forearms, but Yuya haymakers!
Khan ROCKS Yuya, but Yuya DOUBLE CHOPS! And DOUBLE CHOPS! And DOUBLE CHOPS! But Khan throws an IRON RIGHT! The fans fire up again as Yuya falls! Khan roars with Monster Rage and he hauls Yuya up! IRON CLAW, and then ELIMIN- NO, Yuya slips free! Yuya wrenches, traps the arms, DEADBOLT SUPLEX through the table!! YUYA WINS!!
Winner: Yuya Uemura, 2-1 (NEW KOPW Champion)
Yuya slammed the Deadbolt shut on Khan and now he takes the title from him! The Heat Storm is rising, how hot will he make the KOPW Division through the Summer?
10 Man Tag Elimination Match: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Bullet Club War Dogs!
These factions have been battling all over this Road to Wrestling Dontaku, but now they will fight ’til the last man! Will there be a roll call for Bushi, Hiromu, Takagi, Yota y Naito? Or will this alliance with the Good Looking Emperor, Jake Lee, help David Finlay, Gabe Kidd, Clark Connors & “Drilla” Dan Moloney shoot down LIJ?
Wait, it seems Naito has brought backup of his own? It’s SLYLY! The dragon-like mascot of Hiroshima Toyo Carp, and half-brother to the Philadelphia Phillies’ Phillie Phanatic! Well, Naito does love him some baseball. Tensions are running high, and Finlay throws his shirt at Yota. Yota balls that shirt up, and throws a fastball over the plate! The teams sort out, Finlay pushes Yota around and Gabe talks trash on Takagi. Red Shoes gets them all to settle down, and the War Dogs bark and put up the Too Sweet. Jake joins in at the end there. LIJ mocks the barking before they fist bump, and the fans cheer.
Things finally sort out and Finlay starts against Yota. The fans fire up behind “YO~TA! YO~TA!” at the bell, and Yota makes sure Finlay hears that. Finlay gets on the corner but the fans all boo. The two circle, tie up, and Yota uses his size to put Finlay on ropes. Finlay turns that around to grind forearms in Yota’s face and push him around. Finlay then backs up to SPIT at him! The fans boo but Yota CHOPS Finlay in return! The fans cheer, Yota headlocks, and Yota grinds Finlay down. Finlay powers up and out to headlock back, but Yota powers up and out. They RAM shoulders, Yota rebounds to run Finlay over!
The fans fire up, things speed up, but Finlay bails out. The fans boo but Finlay says he’s got time. Yota barks at Finlay but Finlay just mockingly applauds. Finlay returns, kips up just to show off, but then Hiromu wants in! Yota tags Hiromu, Finlay tags Drilla. Hiromu fires forearms on Drilla, whips, to ROCK, trip, KICK the ropes, then run and SHOTGUN Drilla down! The fans fire up while Hiromu barks. Hiromu runs corner to corner to clothesline, snapmare and basement dropkick! The fans fire up but Connors runs in to knee Hiromu low! Connors barks, runs, but Hiromu kicks low! Bushi dropkicks legs out so Hiromu can basement dropkick!
The fans fire up but Drilla fires hands and CHOPS on LIJ. Hiromu CHOPS back, he and Bushi double whip to TU LO SABE! Cover, TWO! Drilla stays in this but Hiromu fires Hiroshima up. Hiromu fireman’s carries, but Drilla slips free to RAM Hiromu into the corner! The Dogs mug Hiromu while Jake Lee runs up to BLAST Naito! Finlay and Connors help out in mugging Yota and Bushi! Things have pilled out into the crowd in multiple areas while Naito fights back! Jake kicks Naito, then whips him hard into railing! Naito tumbles up and over into No Man’s Land! Gabe and Takagi throw HEADBUTTS back and forth!
Finlay snatches a phone? He’s taking pictures of Jake stomping away on Naito! But then Yota attacks Finlay! Finlay POSTS Yota, a ring count starts, but the Dogs just keep beating LIJ down! Drilla finds his way back to ringside, Hiromu manages to make his way in! Hiromu crawls in at 17 but Drilla is there to stomp him! Drilla bumps Hiromu off Finlay’s boot! Drilla tags Jake in, they mug Hiromu, and Jake digs his boot in while Finlay pulls Hiromu’s hair! Red Shoes is busy getting everyone to stop brawling! Jake lets off but Hiromu fires off CHOPS! Jake just kicks low, whips, and then HIP TOSSES Hiromu down!
Hiromu staggers up but Jake clamps on a SLEEPER! Tag to Finlay and they mug Hiromu in the corner. Red Shoes reprimands and counts, the fans boo, and Finlay lets off at 4. Finlay soaks up heat, then he takes Hiromu’s Kamaitachi mask and THROWS it to the crowd! Finlay then BLASTS Yota off the apron! The Dogs CHOKE Hiromu more, mug him while Finlay argues with Red Shoes, then Finlay brings Hiromu up. Finlay fireman’s carries and goes to dump Hiromu! Hiromu clamps onto ropes, Bushi runs in to make the save! Connors goes after Bushi so Takagi makes the save! But Connors goes after Takagi now!
Finlay puts Hiromu on the apron but Hiromu rolls back in, SAFE! The fans cheer while Finlay is frustrated. Finlay storms up on Hiromu in a corner but Hiromu CHOPS and CHOPS! Finlay knees low, whips corner to corner hard, and Hiromu flounders all the way back to where he started! Finlay drags Hiromu up and over, the fans still cheering him on, but Connors tags in. Connors BLASTS Naito off the corner, then snap suplexes Hiromu down! Connors runs to ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Hiromu stays in this but Connors stays on him with a seated full nelson. The fans continue to rally for “HI-RO-MU!” as he endures!
Hiromu fights around, even as Gedo barks at him to give up. Hiromu still gets the ROPEBREAK! Finlay pushes the foot away and that distracts Red Shoes, allowing Drilla to join in and stomp Hiromu! Drilla & Connors double whip but Hiromu gets around to lift Connors and throw him at Drilla, FORCED RANA! The fans fire up but Connors keeps Hiromu away from his corner! Hiromu blocks a kick, and a punch, to DRAGON SCREW! The fans rally again while both men are down! Hot tag to Naito! Naito rallies on Connors, BLASTS Drilla, swings on Jake, but Jake gets away. Connors CLUBS Naito, whips, but Naito reverses to arm-drag!
Naito atomic drops, runs, and ELBOWS Connors down, to then basement dropkick! The fans fire up while Naito stares Jake down. Naito covers Connors, TWO! The fans rally, Naito drags Connors up and dragon sleepers, for the NECKBREAKER! And then, LEG HOOK NELSON! Connors endures but Gabe stomps Naito! Gabe BLASTS Takagi, the rest of the Dogs attack, and Gabe stomps away on Naito! Gabe tells off the fans but the fans boo. Red Shoes reprimands so Gabe steps away, and Connors drags Naito up. Connors UPPERCUTS, whips, but Naito reverses to TORNADO- NO, Connors powers out!
Connors dodges Naito, redirects and POUNCES! Naito is down but the fans rally up. Naito and Connors crawl, hot tags to Takagi and Gabe! The fans fire up for the NEVER Openweight Championship appetizer! They RAM shoulders, Takagi ROCKS Gabe then runs to RAM him! Gabe rebounds to RAM Takagi, but Takagi rebounds to RAM Gabe! Gabe fires a forearm, whips Takagi to a corner then runs in to clothesline! Takagi says that’s not enough, so Gabe UPPERCUTS! Gabe says he’s a madman, then whips, only for Takagi to reverses. Takagi runs in, blocks a boot, and clotheslines through! The fans fire up with Takagi, but Gabe shoves him!
Takagi kicks and CLUBS away on Gabe, but Gabe BITES Takagi’s forehead! Red shoes reprimands, but Takagi spins Gabe around to suplex high and hard! Cover, TWO! Gabe’s still in this but the fans rally behind “TA-KA-GI!” Takagi looks around, “Oi, Hiroshima! TOKI GA-” NO, Gabe CLOBBERS Takagi! It isn’t his time yet, and Gabe stands Takagi up to HEADBUTT again and again! Then Gabe suplexes high and hard! Cover, TWO! Takagi’s tougher than that but Gabe shakes his head. Gabe scuffs Takagi, eggs him on and runs, but Takagi blocks the Rebounder to HEADBUTT! Gabe HEADBUTTS! Both men shake their heads, and then Takagi HEADBUTTS!
Gabe HEADBUTTS! Takagi HEADBUTTS again and again, but then Gabe HEADBUTTS again and again! Takagi fires a forearm, Gabe gives it back, repeat! The fans fire up as the shots go back and forth! Gabe gets the edge, but Takagi fires boxing elbows! Gabe CHOP! Takagi ELBOWS! JABS! Gabe UPPERCUTS and YUKON LARIATS! But Takagi’s right up to LARIAT!! Gabe rises and shouts! Both men run in, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! And again! Gabe fires palm strikes, talks trash, but gets a JAB, HEADBUTT, and a PUMPING BOMBER take takes both men up and out! DOUBLE ELIMINATION!!
Fans go wild as Takagi’s sacrifice play makes things 4v4! Bushi and Drilla jump in and Drilla fires off shots! Drilla ENZIGIRIS, ripcords, but Bushi dodges to RANA! And DROPKICK! Drilla bails out but Bushi builds speed, only for Connors to SNAP POWERSLAM! Drilla gets in, he and Connors get moving, SPEAR GORE COMBO!! Cover, TWO!! Bushi survives but the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions coordinate. Connors BLASTS Naito off the apron before he climbs a corner, and Drilla gets Bushi up. Drilla suplexes, but Bushi slips free! Bushi shoves Drilla into Connors, then runs back in to CODE-
NO, Drilla blocks and aims for ropes! Bushi slips free, dodges Drilla, but Drilla ducks the enzigiri, only for the REWIND HEEL to hit! Bushi whips Drilla up and out and to the floor, Bushi ELIMINATES Drilla! We’re 4v3 in LIJ’s favor, but then Connors SPEARS Bushi! Connors says this is it, and he reels Bushi in for- NO! Bushi turns No Chaser into a backslide! BUSHI ROLL! Bushi ELIMINATES Connors!! The Black Mask singlehandedly handles the tag champs and the fans fire up! But then Finlay CLOBBERS Bushi and rains down fists! Finlay roars in rage, then he drags Bushi up. Canadian Rack, but Bushi slips free to backslide!
Finlay rolls through to UPPERCUT! Jake BLASTS Naito, BLASTS Yota, and then Finlay gets Bushi up! Finlay POWERBOMBS Bushi to the outside, onto Naito and the rest! Finlay ELIMINATES Bushi! We’re back to 3v2 as Finlay still has Jake but LIJ still has Naito, Hiromu and Yota. And speaking of Yota, he gets in to brawl with Finlay! Yota whips, Finlay reverses but Yota flipping RANAS! Then he BLASTS Jake! Yota runs corner to corner to STINGER SPLASH Finlay! Yota keeps moving, he runs Finlay over to then run and SPLASH! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up with Yota as he smiles and paces around.
Yota brings Finlay up and fireman’s carries, but Finlay slips free. Yota kicks, runs, but Finlay ELBOWS him down, then SENTONS on top! Finlay barks as he aims at Yota. Yota rises, Finlay runs in, and UPPERCUTS at the corner! Then clotheslines! Then FALCON ARROWS! Cover, TWO! The fans rally for Yota but Finlay grows frustrated. Finlay drags Yota up, reels him in, but Yota fights the lift! Finlay CLUBS away on Yota, tries again, and he has Yota up, but Yota fights free of the bomb! Yota fires forearms, but Finlay UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS again! Finlay runs, but Yota backslides to KNEE Finlay down!
The fans fire up again as we pass 20 minutes, and Yota drags Finlay up. Yota goes up and up but Finlay shoves him over! Yota’s on the apron, he and Finlay brawl! Yota ROCKS Finlay, but Finlay gets in Red Shoes’ face! Jake grabs at Yota, Yota kicks him away, but Finlay BLASTS Yota down and ELIMINATES him! The fans boo but the Dogs have made this 2v2! Finlay and Jake stand together, and they dare Naito & Hiromu to join them. Naito and Hiromu oblige as they step inside. Naito stares Jake down, Hiromu stares Finlay down, and they start swinging! The fans fire up, but then Finlay fireman’s carries Hiromu! Finlay aims for ropes!
Naito gets past Jake to save Hiromu, but then Jake BOOTS Naito down! Jake scrapes Naito out of the ring and goes after him, but Hiromu fireman’s carries Finlay! Hiromu runs at ropes and dumps Finlay out! Finlay stays on the apron but Hiromu SUPERKICKS! Finlay holds onto ropes and wobbles, but Hiromu builds speed! Hiromu DIVES and SUNSET FLIPS, but Finlay still holds on! Finlay throws down hands, gets back inside, he’s SAFE! Hiromu is also safe because he went through the second rope. Hiromu runs back in, but avoids Blue Thunder to wheelbarrow! But Finlay turns that into an IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER!
Hiromu writhes, the fans rally as hard as they can behind him, but Finlay drags Hiromu up. DOMINATOR! Cover, Naito breaks it! Jake stomps Naito and TOSSES him out! It was all second rope so Naito’s safe, but Finlay talks trash on Hiromu. Finlay drags Hiromu up, reels him in, suplexes, but Hiromu slips free! Finlay UPPERCUTS, and UPPERCUTS, and UPPERCUTS! Flashback to the 23rd! Hiromu just takes UPPERCUT after UPPERCUT from Finlay, but he doesn’t stop! Then he SUPERKICKS! Hiromu runs, but into another UPPERCUT! Finlay gets Hiromu up, but Hiromu RANAS Finlay up and out to ELIMINATE him!!
The fans are thunderous as The Rebel is shocked! Hiromu mocks him, but then Jake runs in! Hiromu gets under the boot to get under Jake! Jake fights Hiromu off, snarls, and then runs up! Hiromu dodges to kick a leg! Hiromu runs, but Jake kitchen sink knees! Jake takes aim, runs up, and FACE BREAK SHOT! Hiromu tumbles up and out and to the floor, Jake ELIMINATES him! And now, at 25 minutes in, we’re down to just Jake and just Naito! Naito slowly rolls into the ring as the fans rally behind him. Jake watches Naito stand, and the two stare down. Jake runs in but Naito dodges to fire off forearms!
Naito whips but Jake reverses to KNEE low! Jake fires up but fans boo as he stands Naito up. Jake reels Naito in for a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Naito protects the plate but Jake is aiming another heater! Jake waits as Naito stands, then winds up to choke grip! But Naito throws back elbows to get free! Naito then wrenches, TORNADO DDT! The fans fire up again while both men are down! Naito rises, he drags Jake up, and he throws those heavy back elbows! Jake crawls around, Naito brings him up, and Naito throws more heavy back elbows! Jake wobbles and staggers to the corner but Naito is right on him.
Naito brings Jake around for even more heavy back elbows! Jake falls over, the fans fire up, and Naito aims from the corner. Naito drags Jake up and in, but Jake BOOTS Naito down! Naito dangles off the apron! Red Shoes keeps the War Dogs from interfering, and Naito stands up. Jake aims, runs in, but Naito avoid the FBS! Naito drags Jake ot the apron, Jake elbows him back! Jake runs up, but into an ELBOW! Naito goes up and over, sweeps the legs, then BASEBALL SLIDE DROPKICKS! Jake falls, LIJ wins!!
Winners: Los Ingobernables de Japon, Naito as the lone survivor
It came down to the bottom of the ninth, technically speaking, and Naito just hit the walk-off homer! Jake is stunned and Finlay is frustrated, but Yota just smiles back at him. Finlay and Yota will have it out as part of Wrestling Dontaku Night One, who will be smiling then?
As for LIJ, they regroup in the ring and have their hands raised. Slyly’s even still hanging around! But uh, he’s a little too chunky to get in the ring, so he just settles for pumping up the crowd like he does at baseball games. Naito gets the mic to say that it was three months ago, the Splash Strong series back in January, since Naito was last in Hiroshima. Naito would like to thank the fans from coming here tonight, “Gracias, amigos.” The fans cheer, and Naito continues by saying, “Hiroshima is my second home. I really long to have a match at Mazda Stadium.” The fans love the sound of that!
Naito does preface that him saying that doesn’t mean there’s anything planned. So please, tranquilo, be patient, and look forward to the day that finally happens. So, shall they do it? The fans cheer again! So then, for the first time in Hiroshima Sun Plaza Hall in a year and eight months, is everyone ready? The fans cheer because they sure are! Well then, the only way to close The Road to Wrestling Dontaku here in Hiroshima… Bushi! Hiromu! Takagi! Titan! Yota! Slyly! Y Naito! NOSOTROS! LOS! INGOBERRRRNABLEEEES~! DE! JA! PON!! Slyly gets in on the roll call! Will all of LIJ have success as we reach Wrestling Dontaku next week?
My Thoughts:
A great event to conclude Road to Dontaku before getting to Wrestling Dontaku itself. An unfortunate change in the card, Sanada fell ill and could not compete, so his match alongside Taichi against Tanahashi & Tomoaki was changed into Tanahashi and a Young Lion VS Tomoaki and a Young Lion. Hopefully Cold Skull gets well soon. Great tag title match from TMDK VS GoD, and while I figured TMDK was going to retain, I didn’t think it’d be in a shady way like holding tights. While ZSJ VS Cobb for the NJPW World TV title is still to come, I doner of GoD shift gears and ELP becomes a singles guy so Leo and Loa can team up. Then ELP can challenge ZSJ in a battle of initials while the Brothers Guerrilla get to take on Shane & Mikey.
Great Rural Revitalization again, they managed to pull off great comeback spots each round. I was very surprised Yuya won out, I felt like Khan could’ve done one more Rural Revitalization before losing. But at the same time, Yuya feels like the unofficial fourth Reiwa Musketeer behind Narita, Shota & Tsuji. Yuya getting a title, any title, ahead of the others is good stuff for him, and could even bring about a feud with one of the Musketeers for the Summer. And then a great 10 Man Elimination Tag. I again really like that NJPW allows over the rope eliminations even in a tag match like this to really mix things up. Jake Lee not winning out for the War Dogs is really surprising, but I feel like that means Jake will defeat Naito 1v1.
My Score: 8.9/10
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
It’s a violent end to a legendary friendship!
Former Best Friends, Trent Beretta & Chuck Taylor, have been through many Parking Lot Brawls, but this is their first time as enemies! Will there be broken bones to go along with the broken hearts?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Parking Lot Brawl: Trent Beretta VS Chuck Taylor; Trent wins.
- Thunder Rosa VS Deonna Purrazzo; Rosa wins.
- “Big Bill” Morrissey VS Trevor Blackwell; Bill wins.
- Katsuyori Shibata & Daniel Garcia VS Shane Taylor Promotions; Shibata & Garcia win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Parking Lot Brawl: Trent Beretta VS Chuck Taylor!
Years of friendship, thrown away, and why? Because #JustTrent had a problem with Freshly Squeezed having more success in AEW than them? Because #JustTrent had a problem with Cassidy as a person? Because #JustTrent turned out to be the selfish one in the relationship? Well, then will #JustTrent get his ass kicked? Or will he take advantage of how Chuckie T. is a Kentucky Gentleman?
Trent stares Chuck down while we hear the crowd of other wrestlers taunting him. Trent takes a swing, but Chuck dodges to fire off hands! The brawl is on, and Chuck gets the edge! Chuck ROCKS Trent, then SMACKS him off a car hood! And then off the car door! Chuck drags Trent up, but Trent RAMS Chuck into the car! And throat chops him just because! Trent gets space, runs back in, but Chuck dodges so Trent hits the passenger door! Chuck gets a trash can lid and he stands Trent up. Trent jumps through the open window but Chuck drags him back out. Trent kicks low, and he gives Chuck a CAR HOOD BACK SUPLEX!
Trent grabs the trash can lid, SMACKS Chuck right in the head and Chuck falls down! The crowd boos but Trent opens a car trunk to bring out a trash can, a dustpan and a baseball bat! Chuck storms up but Trent CHUCKS the trash can into Chuck’s face! Chuck flounders and Trent smirks. Trent SMACKS Chuck with the trash can, CLUBS him around, and Chuck is busted open! The white car has red polka dots on it now, and Trent talks trash, “This is what you wanted?!” Trent runs up, but Chuck POP UP POWERBOMBS Trent onto a car hood! Trent writhes, Chuck staggers around, and Chuck brings Trent around.
Chuck headlocks Trent before he SMACKS him off another car door. Trent goes around the back and then up onto a truck! Chuck follows, and he CLUBS Trent in the chest! But Trent slips under, and he CLAWS Chuck’s bloody face! Trent DECKS Chuck and Chuck falls through drywall sheets! Trent looms over Chuck as he crawls out of the wreckage. Trent stalks Chuck, brings him around and SMACKS him with the trash can lid! Trent hoists Chuck onto a car roof, SMACKS him again, then goes back to the truck. Trent climbs onto the roof of the truck, to FLYING ELBOW from car to car! Cover, TWO!!
Trent is furious, but Chuck is still in this as Rampage goes picture in picture.
Trent fumes, paces around, and goes back to the goodies. He brings out… Is that a screwdriver?! And he JABS Chuck in the head with it!! And then he DIGS it into Chuck’s forehead!! As if he wasn’t already bleeding badly!! Trent leaves Chuck behind, to fetch what looks to be a flat screen TV. Then he brings out a wood door!? Did someone visit Home Depot before coming here? Chuck CHOPS Trent in return then fires haymakers! Trent CLAWS Chuck’s face! Trent grabs that TV and CHUCKS it, only for Chuck to duck it! Rampage returns as TV screen hits windshield! Chuck kicks low to snap suplex Trent through the door!!
The crowd is losing its minds as Trent crawls. Chuck gets Trent’s legs, to CATAPULT him into the truck’s tailgate!! The crowd fires up while Chuck gets a sinister look on his face. Chuck takes a piece of that drywall to SMASH it on Trent! Chuck gets that trash can, he SMACKS Trent with it! Chuck sees the pile of extra goodies nearby, and he uncovers some light tubes! But first, he’ll clean up the mess, he SMACKS Trent with the dust pan! And SMACKS him again and again! And then one more shot with the trash can! Trent writhes, but Chuck drags Trent up. Chuck SMACKS Trent off the tailgate, then clears some space.
Chuck climbs up, but Trent ROCKET LAUNCHES him onto the light tubes!!! The tubes shatter under Chuck’s back! Trent sputters, he’s bloody now, too. Trent puts Chuck against the car hood and stands on him! Trent soaks up the heat, but Chuck TRIPS Trent! Trent writhes, Chuck reels Trent in, Canadian Rack, RAZOR’S EDGE onto a windshield!! Trent writhes while fans chant “HOLY CHUCK!” Chuck covers Trent on the hood, TWO!! Trent survives and hurries around the back of this sedan. Chuck snarls, goes up after Trent, and they meet on the roof. They’re both so bloody as they fire forearms back and forth!
The crowd cheers Chuck and boos Trent, and as the two swing wild, they end up HUGGING! You GOT to give the people what they want, right? They stand, Chuck ROCKS Trent and reels Trent in, but Trent LOW BLOWS!! Trent has Chuck now, PILEDRIVER ON THE CAR ROOF!!! And then, SNAKE BITE!! Trent is choking Chuck out!!! Chuck IS out, Trent wins!!
Winner: Trent Beretta, by submission
The Best Friends tore each other apart, but it is #JustTrent that stands tall in the end. He’s clearly lost the respect of his peers given how the other wrestlers are chanting “You Suck! You Suck!” But wait, Trent isn’t done? He has a monkey wrench!? Cassidy & Kris step forward to say no, this is going too far! Trent says this is all Cassidy’s fault! And SMASH, Trent hits Chuck’s leg with the wrench, and even shatters the glass behind it!! Chuck clutches the already recovering leg, and now Cassidy wants after Trent! Kris stops Cassidy, Trent’s still got the wrench! Trent escapes into the shadows of the arena, what darkness is living in Trent’s heart?
Don Callis is watching this.
And he seems to like the sadistic savagery he just witnessed. Trent may not have Best Friends anymore, but could he end up with a whole new family?
Backstage interview with Kyle O’Reilly.
Arkady Aura is with #CombatKyle and brings up his impressive showing in Dynamite’s Casino Gauntlet this past Wednesday. But we all want to know, what is next for her? Well, on Saturday, May 11th, AEW is coming to his hometown! Collision in Vancouver, British Columbia! The Rogers Arena, the same building an 11-year-old Kyle saw his first wrestling show ever. And at that show, Kyle told his dad that he was gonna do this one day. Papa O’Reilly said, “Oh yeah, sure you will, kid.” But somehow, Kyle pulled it off. 25 years later, he’s coming back home to do the one thing he’s ever been good at and that’s wrestling.
Kyle is going to take on the best wrestlers this world has to offer, right here in AEW, where the best wrestle. Kyle is ready for a fight, who will take him up on that in two weeks?
Thunder Rosa VS Deonna Purrazzo!
La Mera Mera and The Virtuosa could not coexist in the race for the AEW Women’s World Championship, and now they will Rampage against each other! Who will stand tall, ready for another shot at the title?
The bell rings and the fans rally up. Deonna and Rosa step up, talk a little trash, then Deonna pie faces Rosa! Rosa swings but Deonna catches the arm! Rosa avoids the takedown to knee low! They tie up again, go around and around, and Deonna puts Rosa in a corner. The ref counts, Rosa powers her way out but Deonna headlocks. Rosa powers up and out, but Deonna RAMS her! The two stay up, Deonna eggs Rosa on then kicks her low! Deonna whips, Rosa blocks the hip toss, but then Deonna blocks a hip toss! Rosa avoids the lariat to DECK Deonna! Rosa rains down fists but the ref reprimands.
Rosa sits Deonna up, clamps on a COBRA CLUTCH, and she grinds Deonna down. The fans rally but Deonna fights up. Deonna throws hands, then wrenches, but Rosa breaks free. Deonna BOOTS Rosa, then has the arm for the ARMBAR DDT! Deonna dusts herself off as she paces, then she KICKS Rosa’s arm. And KICKS it again! Rosa goes to ropes, Deonna pushes her down and ties her up in Paradise! Rosa is stuck, Deonna soaks up the cheers and jeers, and then runs to DROPKICK Rosa out of Paradise! Deonna stands Rosa up but Rosa ROCKS her first! Deonna stands, Rosa RAMS into her then bumps her off buckles.
Rosa goes up and up to leap, but Deonna blocks the rana and has a BOSTON CRAB! They’re in the ropes, the ref counts, and Deonna lets go. Rosa crawls to the corner, Deonna paces while soaking up the heat. Rosa stands, builds speed, and she WERCKS Deonna with a dropkick! Rosa fires up despite the pain in her back, and she kicks Deonna. Deonna stands, Rosa CHOPS her against the post! And CHOPS her again! Deonna ducks, Rosa chops post! Deonna SUPERKICKS Rosa down, and Rampage goes picture in picture.
Deonna steps on Rosa’s face, steps away, and Rosa staggers up to railing. Deonna storms up but Rosa kicks her low. Rosa then runs Deonna side to side to POST her! But then Deonna RAMS Rosa into apron! And SMACKS her off it! Deonna snarls, brings Rosa around, and she puts Rosa in the ring. Cover, TWO! Deonna clamps onto Rosa to pull her arms in, for a straitjacket stretch! Rosa endures, fights up, but Deonna turns that into a BACKSTABBER! Cover, TWO! Rosa is still in this, and she is feeding off the energy of the fans! Rosa stands, and she ELBOWS Deonna! And body shots! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS again!
Rosa has Deonna in a corner to UPPERCUT! Rosa runs corner to corner and back again, but Deonna dodges! Rosa POSTS herself and falls to the apron! Deonna storms back over, brings Rosa up and wraps the bad arm against ropes! The ref counts, Deonna KICKS the ropes as she lets off, and Rosa clutches the elbow. Deonna returns but Rosa RAMS into her! Deonna CLUBS Rosa, has her in a corner, and HEADBUTTS the lower back as Rampage goes to break.
Rampage returns and Deonna runs in, but into an ELBOW! And then a BOOT! Rosa goes up to MISSILE DROPKICK! The fans fire up with Rosa as she rises up! Deonna runs in, Rosa dodges to fire forearm after forearm! Deonna shoves, Rosa ENZIGIRIS! Rosa runs, to SHOTGUN BOOT! Deonna flounders to ropes, Rosa pounds the mat and the fans rally again. Rosa runs side to side to DROPKICK again! Cover, TWO!! Deonna toughs it out while Rosa shakes out her arm. Rosa drags Deonna up, but Deonna SOBATS! Deonna runs to KNEE LIFT and RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Deonna wants the Fujiwara but Rosa rolls free!
Deonna BOTOS Rosa down, covers, TWO! Rosa is still in this and the fans rally up. Deonna is frustrated but she fireman’s carries Rosa. Rosa fires elbows, waistlocks, but Deonna pries the hold open! Deonna waistlocks, Rosa victory rolls and STOMP 182! The fans rally up again and Rosa covers, TWO! Deonna stays in this but Rosa stays on her. Rosa drags Deonna to a drop zone, goes to a corner and climbs. But Deonna rises and catches the leap! FUJIWARA ARMBAR!! Rosa endures, reaches out, pushes Deonna over to get a REAR NAKED CHOKE!! Deonna is in the body scissors but she fights around!
Deonna rises, to BACKPACK SENTON! Deonna is free, the fans fire up, and Deonna brings Rosa back up. Deonna SLAPS Rosa, then reels her in! Gotch Hold, but Rosa jackknife bridges! TWO, Deonna sunset flips, TWO! Prawn hold, TWO! FUJIWARA!! Rosa rolls it to a cradle, ROSA WINS!!
Winner: Thunder Rosa, by pinfall
Deonna thought she had the perfect formula but Rosa says she just beat her at wrestling! But then Deonna CLOBBERS Rosa at the ramp! The fans boo but Deonna drags Rosa up to RAM her into the bleachers! Rosa slumps down, but Deonna digs her boot in! Deonna SLAPS Rosa around, tells the ref to shut up, and she SLAPS Rosa more! So Rosa SLAPS back! They brawl on stage and then out to the ledge of the upper level! The fans fire up as they keep going! Security rushes in, the fans boo, but Deonna flips Rosa off! It seems nothing was settled here, will these two look to go Double or Nothing?
Backstage interview with The Undisputed Kingdom.
Arkady Aura is with Roderick Strong, Matt Taven & Mike Bennett as she notes Will Ospreay is the NEW #1 Contender to the AEW International Championship. Taven says hold on, before we get started here, “Not Lexy,” as three guys who care deeply about neck health, and as two guys who nursed someone from the brink of paralysis (aka Roddy), The Kingdom wishes a very speedy recovery to “the world’s greatest boss. TK, stay strong, buddy.” Roddy then shouts that “WILL… Ospreay. Congratulations, you did it! You have signed, sealed and delivered the downfall, demise and destruction of The Aerial Assassin at Double or Nothing.”
Roddy says the world can sing Ospreay’s praises, but none of that matters when you step in the ring with Roddy. Just like all the ones before, Roddy will dismantle Ospreay, he will BREAK Ospreay, and he will make Ospreay fall in front of The Savior of the Backbreaker. Roddy’s confidence is strong, but will Roddy be the one feeling the End of Heartache after taking on the #BillyGOAT?
“Big Bill” Morrissey VS Trevor Blackwell!
The human skyscraper says he wants to sit under the Learning Tree, but Chris Jericho’s gonna need a bigger tree if he’s to give guidance to Big Bill. Will Bill prove he is worthy of The Wizard’s sage advice?
The moment Bill is in the ring, he SPLASHES Trevor right in the corner! The bell rings, Bill runs to BOOT Trevor down! Trevor flounders around, Bill runs corner to corner and SPLASHES again! Trevor flops around, Bill wants Jericho to watch this. Bill said he’d show Jericho he is worthy, and we do see Jericho watching backstage, holding the FTW Championship on his shoulder and oddly still wearing a #LionHook shirt… Jericho nods as Bill CLUBS Trevor on the back! Bill then tells Jericho to watch him! Scoop and BIG BOSS SLAM!! Cover, but Bill lets off! Bill wags his finger, he wants Jericho to see more.
Bill brings Trevor up, reels him in, and short arm LARIATS! Cover, but again Bill lets off! Bill is having too much fun at poor Trevor’s expect. Bill says Jericho’s gonna wanna teach him. Bill hoists Trevor up for the SKYSCRAPER CHOKE SLAM!! One foot cover, a very Jericho move, and Bill wins!
Winner: “Big Bill” Morrissey, by pinfall
Trev might want to change his last name to Well-done, because he got roasted. Bill wants Jericho’s guidance, does he even need it when he can do all this?
BREAKING NEWS for Rampage!
Rampage won’t be following up Collision next week but it also won’t be back on Friday just yet. For AEW’s return to Canada, Rampage is going to be BACK TO BACK with Dynamite! Get ready for a truly All Elite Wednesday!
Katsuyori Shibata & Daniel Garcia VS Shane Taylor Promotions!
The Wrestler said during Collision earlier tonight that he was going to take on Shane Taylor Promotions by himself if he had to, but then the Dragonslayer offered his help. Now they’re both going to take on #TAIGASTYLE and Big Bad Shaney T. himself! Garcia wears basic trunks and boots to match Shibata, will The Wrestlers win out? Or will STP rumble, bad man, rumble?
The moment all four men are in the ring, Shibata CLOBBERS Lee Moriarty and then he and Garcia both go after Shane! The fans fire up as they stomp and kick Shane right out of the ring! Then they go out to keep after him! Shibata whips and BOOTS Shane into railing! Garcia fires off on Lee, then Shibata adds an UPPERCUT! Shibata whips and BOOTS Lee against railing! Garcia stomps Shane, Shibata snap suplexes Lee to the floor! Shibata leaves them behind to go into the ring and sit cross-legged! Garcia sits with him! The fans fire up and the two go out again. The brawling continues but Shane throws heavy hands!
Lee ROCKS Garcia, Shane puts Shibata in, and Shane storms in after Shibata. Lee sends Garcia into railing, but Shibata fires hands on Shane! Shibata KICKS and KICKS, but Shane blocks the boot! Shane JABS Shibata and Shibata falls back! Shane talks trash, the fans boo, but Shane drags Shibata up. Shane HEADBUTTS Shibata, tags Lee, and they mug Shibata. Lee stomps a mudhole in, lets off as the ref counts, but he sneaks mule kicks on Shibata the whole time! Shibata trips Lee, stomps him, but Lee gets up to RAM into Shibata! Lee brings Shibata around, suplexes, but Shibata slips free to waistlock!
Lee elbows free, kicks, but Shibata blocks! Lee KNEES Shibata but Garcia tags in! Shibata BOOTS Lee, Garcia LARIATS! Garcia DROPKICKS Shane, gets around Lee, TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! And then another TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Garcia brings Lee up again but Lee suplexes! Garcia slips free, spins Lee and kicks low, to then TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! The trifecta is complete and the fans fire up! Garcia storms up on Lee, brings him up, and UPPERCUTS! The fans rally for Garcia, he CHOPS Lee to ropes. And CHOPS Lee against ropes! Garcia runs, but Shane trips him! Lee distracts the ref so Shane can DRAPING DDT to the floor!
Shibata protests but Lee mocks him by sitting cross-legged. The ring count climbs, Garcia drags himself up at 3 of 10, slides in at 5, but Lee stomps Garcia at the ropes! Lee drags Garcia up, bumps him off buckles, then tags Shane. Shane pushes Garcia against the buckles, to then CHOP! Garcia seethes and he fires forearm son Shane! The fans fire up, Garcia throws more shots, then leaps, but into Shane’s arms! Shane RAMS Garcia into a corner, then CHOPS! Shane runs up, but Garcia BOOTS! Garcia spins, but Shane ROCKS him first! And URENAGES! And then SPLASHES down! Cover, TWO!
Shane seethes but he keeps Garcia from Shibata, and Rampage goes picture in picture.
Shane mocks Garcia’s dance, drags him up, but Garcia CHOPS! Garcia staggers, but Shane fires body shots in the corner! Shane ROCKS Garcia, tags Lee, and STP mugs Garcia. Garcia flounders to ropes, Lee CHOKES him! The ref counts, Lee steps away, and he stomps Garcia around. Lee wraps an arm around the ropes, then fishhooks Garcia! The ref counts, Lee lets off, and Garcia feeds off the energy of the fans. Lee brings Garcia up but Garcia fires forearm sand CHOPS! Lee gets around, and GERMAN SUPLEXES! Cover, TWO! Garcia stays in this but Lee stays on him with a wrench. Tag to Shane, and Lee hooks Garcia up in a COBRA TWIST, just so Shane can KNEE Garcia down!
Shane has Garcia on ropes, ROCKS him with a forearm, then scoops him for SNAKE EYES! Garcia slumps down in the corner, Shane drags him back up, and TOSSES him out! Shane goes out to then put Garcia against railing. Shane ROCKS Garcia, talks trash on fans, then brings Garcia around to scoop and SLAM him to the floor! Shane talks more trash on the fans, Lee has him cool off, and Shane brings Garcia up again. Shane puts Garcia in, tags Lee, and then Lee clamps on with a top wristlock and stretches Garcia out! Garcia endures, turns to fight the pressure, but Lee CLUBS him down. Lee drags Garcia up, tags Shane, and Shane scoop SLAMS!
Shane runs to SPLASH Garcia again! Rampage returns to single picture, Shane drags Garcia to a drop zone, and he goes up a corner. The fans boo but Shane blows them a kiss. FALLING SPLASH FLOPS as Garcia moves! T he fans fire up, but Lee KICKS him down! Lee hurries back and tags in, then he drags Garcia up. Lee wrenches, wristlocks, but Garcia endures. Lee SNAPS the fingers! The fans boo Lee being so villainous, but he drags Garcia up. Lee bumps Garcia off buckles, Shane holds Garcia up, but Garcia fights free with boots and haymakers and elbows! The fans fire up, Garcia sends Lee into Shane!
Lee hurries to waistlock but Garcia switches, SAIDO! The fans are thunderous as Lee and Garcia crawl! Hot tags to Shane and Shibata! Shibata BOOTS Shane! Shane roars, Shibata runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges and BOOTS! Shibata whips to BOOT Shane in the corner! Shibata fires forearms, the ref counts, but Lee runs up. Shibata DECKS him! Garcia RAMS Lee into a corner, climbs up, and while Shibata fires forearms on Shane, Garcia rains down fists! Garcia goes all the way to nine, then DOES HIS DANCE! Shibata and Garcia coordinate, DOUBLE HYDRAULIC DROPKICKS! The fans fire up and Garcia stands Shane up. Shibata runs in to BOOT!
Shibata CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS Shane, then CHOPS, CHOPS and JABS! Garcia does his dance while Shibata JABS and CHOPS to the rhythm! The fans are loving this, as now Garcia runs in to KNEE Shane! Shibata & Garcia get Shane up, to DOUBLE SUPLEX!! Cover, ONE?!? Shane has power to spare, but Garcia BOOTS him! Shibata BOOTS him! They go again, but this time Shane DOUBLE SUPLEXES them!! The fans boo but Shane tags in Lee. Lee runs up to clothesline Shibata, and JAB! And CHOP! JAB! CHOP! JAB! CHOP! Shibata just scowls at Lee! Lee says okay, and he fires more JABS and CHOPS!
Shibata steps into the shots, so Lee eggs him on! Shibata ROCKS Lee! Shane runs up, HEADBUTTS, then Lee HALF HATCH SLAMS! Cover, TWO!! Shibata toughs it out and STP grows frustrated. Lee drags Shibata up, kicks then waistlocks, but Shibata fights the lift! Shane storms in, helps Lee put on the full nelson, and Shane promises to knock Shibata out! But Shibata BOOTS Shane first! Garcia jumps on for a SLEEPER! Shibata switches on Lee for a SLEEPER!! The fans fire up as STP start fading out! Shane fires up to RAM Garcia into buckles! But Shibata BOOTS him! And Garcia SAIDOS!! Shibata PENALTY KICKS Lee!! Cover, The Wrestlers win!
Winners: Katsuyori Shibata & Daniel Garcia, by pinfall
Shibata helps Garcia stand up, and Garcia is proud to have won alongside one of his heroes! And with the fans cheering him on, Garcia sets up… to DO HIS DANCE! Will this momentum help Shibata avenge Hook and take that FTW Championship off of Chris Jericho? Or will The Learning Tree have some things to teach Shibata?
My Thoughts:
A great Rampage here, though I was oddly more excited when I thought it was just Deonna VS Rosa and the Parking Lot Brawl. But even so, at least Bill squashing a dude was used in story. He was showing off, he’ll surely have Jericho’s blessing if he helps defeat Shibata on Dynamite, but a part of me almost wants this to be all a trap. Bill was teammates with Ricky Starks in a feud against Jericho, and if Jericho is being obliviously arrogant then maybe Bill is using that against Jericho, too. But either way, let’s just hope this story helps Bill get going rather than slow him down like the #JerichoVortex has always done.
The Parking Lot Brawl was moving maybe a bit fast for me, especially with how there were some obvious spots already set up when they arrived, such as the drywall draped across the truck bed. But they surely got bloody, and in the end, Trent won out because he was willing to sink to the lowest low. And then they’ve written Chuck off again with that monkey wrench to the shin, so Cassidy VS Trent is definitely a Double or Nothing match. And something is just telling me that if Kris is gonna turn out to be the villain in the Willow Nightingale story, she’s probably gonna screw Cassidy over to help Trent, too.
Really good match from Deonna VS Rosa, and with Rosa getting a quick pin then that brawl, we’re clearly getting more out of them. Good promo from Kyle O’Reilly to hype AEW’s newest Canada tour, and good promo from The Kingdom to tie in their old Neck Health Awareness gag to the Tony Khan piledriver angle. Roddy calling out Ospreay, I would definitely think Ospreay wins the title at Double or Nothing. And really good tag main event from Shibata & Garcia VS Shane Taylor Promotions. STP keeps getting great showings even in losing, but Lee took the loss here to keep Shane himself strong. Great win for Shibata but this just adds to the go-home math where Jericho retains the FTW Championship on Dynamite.
My Score: 8.7/10
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
Hockey Talk- 2024 NHL Playoff Preview [042224]
Hockey Talk previews the 2024 NHL Playoffs and discuss the stunning news that the Arizona Coyotes are moving to Salt...
Hockey Talk- Metro Mayhem [040924]
Hockey Talk looks at an absolutely wild playoff situation taking shape in the Eastern Conference while, out West, the battle...
The Pick N Roll: Sweet Sixteen
Join Patrick O'Dowd and PC Tunney as they breakdown the sweet sixteen of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament.
Hockey Talk- Reverse Psychology [032624]
Hockey Talk looks at the resurgent St. Louis Blues & Washington Capitals. Plus, the Rangers stay hot, and can anyone...
Down the Wire: Filling Out Our Brackets and Drafting Draft Busts
Join the Brothers Wortz as they cover professional sports in unprofessional ways!
Bandwagon Nerds #232: Superhero Madness- A Top Seed Falls
Superhero Madness continues and sees the first #1 seed fall!. Plus, a trailer for a new Transformers movie, and a...
Mitchell’s Hyrule Puro-Resu News Report! (4/20/24)
HPW looks to the horizon.
Bandwagon Nerds #231: Disney News & Superhero Madness
Round two of Superhero Madness begins this week. Cinema Con gives us plenty of Disney news and a trip to...
Bandwagon Nerds #230: Superhero Madness- Resident Aliens
Superhero Madness continues with first round battles in the Aliens bracket, plus Invincible Season 2 comes to an excellent conclusion.
Mitchell’s Hyrule Puro-Resu Results & Report! (4/1/24)
We got five on it!
Mitchell’s Road to Wrestling Dontaku Results & Report! (4/27/24)
Rural Revitalization continues!
Mitchell’s AEW Rampage Results & Report! (4/27/24)
Trent Beretta's on a Rampage!
Mitchell’s AEW Collision Results & Report! (4/27/24)
It's a slam dunk!
Mindless Wrestling Podcast: What Happened Last Week?
After a two-week hiatus, DJ gets to the bottom of why there was no podcast last week. Then, we skewer...
Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (4/26/24)
It's Draft Day!
DWI Podcast #427: Get Off My Back…lash
It's time to shake things up again!
Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 4.25.2024
We just got done with Rebellion, and Under Siege is two weeks away! Gotta see how these dots connect!
Mitchell’s ROH Results & Report! (4/25/24)
Champions need challengers!
Classic POD is WAR: @PattonOswalt
Tune in for another vintage episode of POD is WAR!!!
Mitchell’s AEW Dynamite Results & Report! (4/24/24)
Anybody can get it!
-
Coverage5 days agoMitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (4/22/24)
-
AEW Coverage6 days agoMitchell’s AEW Dynasty Results & Report! (4/21/24)
-
Coverage4 days agoMitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (4/23/24)
-
Classic Survivor Series7 days agoAttitude Of Aggression #289- The Big Four Project: Survivor Series ’92