Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW Battle in the Valley Results & Report! (2/18/23)
There’s gold in California!
NJPW is feeling that California Love!
The Rainmaker and The Ace battle over THE IWGP World Heavyweight Championship one more time as NJPW lands in San Jose, California! Will Hiroshi Tanahashi return the shocker from years ago?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kickoff Show – Alex Coughlin VS JR Kratos; Coughlin wins.
- Kickoff Show – David Finlay VS Bobby Fish; Finlay wins.
- 8 Man Tag: Rocky Romero, Josh Alexander, Adrian Quest & Mascara Dorada VS KUSHIDA, Kevin Knight, The DKC & Volador Jr; Kushida, Knight, DKC & Volador win.
- NJPW Strong Openweight Championship: Fred Rosser VS KENTA; Kenta wins and becomes the new NJPW Strong Openweight Champion.
- NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships: The Motor City Machine Guns VS The West Coast Wrecking Crew; The MCMG win and retain the titles.
- High Stakes Grudge Match: Jay White VS Eddie Kingston; Eddie wins and White must leave NJPW.
- Filthy Rules Fight: Tom Lawlor VS Homicide; Lawlor wins.
- NJPW World Television Championship: Zack Sabre Jr. VS Clark Connors; ZSJ wins and retains the title.
- IWGP Women’s Championship: KAIRI VS Mercedes Moné; Mercedes wins and becomes the new IWGP Women’s Champion.
- IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Kazuchika Okada VS Hiroshi Tanahashi; Okada wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
NJPW Strong Openweight Championship: Fred Rosser VS KENTA!
Mr. No Days Off has been on quite the streak as champion, but now he runs into Fang Revived! Will Rosser’s reign continue? Or will he #GoToSleep on the job?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if Kenta can force Rosser to take time off!
The bell rings and fans rally as the two circle. Kenta keeps his distance and fans cheer him on, so Kenta conducts them. Rosser gets annoyed but Kenta circles with him. They tie up, fight for control, and end up on ropes, then in a corner. The ref counts, Kenta backs away, and resets with Rosser. They feel out another grapple, tie up, and Kenta gets around to a waistlock. Kenta drags Rosser down, but Rosser fights up and gets to ropes. The ref counts, Kenta lets off with a slap! Rosser storms up but Kenta bails out. Rosser goes out after Kenta but Kenta slides back in. Rosser slides in but Kenta stomps away on him!
Kenta kicks Rosser to a corner for more stomps, but Rosser wags his finger. Kenta gives more toying kicks, and Rosser sits up in a huff. Rosser tells Kenta to stop but Kenta gives him another one! Rosser stands up and stares Kenta down! Rosser goes outside, goes over the railing, and he dares Kenta to fight him in the crowd! Fans fire up, Kenta goes out after Rosser, and the brawl is on! San Jose fires up as the forearms fly! Kenta KICKS, KICKS and KICKS! Rosser sits down and fans fire up more! Kenta revels in it, then he drags Rosser up. Kenta pushes Rosser to railing, runs in, and BOOTS him over!
Fans rally, Kenta goes back to ringside, and he sits Rosser up for more KICKS! Kenta scuffs Rosser, Rosser shakes the railing in anger. A ring count starts, Kenta puts Rosser in, but Rosser slides right back out to BOOT him! Rosser drags Kenta up onto the apron as the ring count restarts. Kenta fights the lift, then he claws Rosser’s eyes! Kenta kicks low, and hits an APRON DDT! Fans fire up while Rosser writhes and Kenta throws off his headband. Kenta steps back inside, sits Rosser and kicks him. Rosser wags his finger, Kenta KICKS! Rosser CHOPS, Kenta KICKS! Kenta eggs Rosser on so Rosser throws a forearm!
Kenta throws a forearm, Rosser throws one back! Kenta ROCKS and KICKS Rosser, then snapmares to PENALTY KICK! Rosser writhes again, Kenta covers, TWO! Kenta pushes Rosser down to drop a knee! And then another! And then he brings the kneepad down, to jump, and then scuff Rosser’s face! Fans cheer the trolling and Kenta brings the kneepad up. Kenta eggs Rosser on, kicks him around, but Rosser gets mad again. Rosser swings, but Kenta spins him into another DDT! Kenta drags Rosser to a cover, TWO! Kenta stands Rosser up, turns him, and hits a NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Kenta clamps on with a chinlock!
Rosser endures, pulls hair, but the ref reprimands. Kenta tries to grab hair but Rosser’s bald so no go. Fans rally, Rosser fights up and throws elbows. But Kenta throws Rosser by his head and beard! Fans duel while Kenta drags Rosser back up. Kenta throws haymakers but Rosser stands up. Kenta throws haymakers but Rosser snarls. Kenta SOBATS, runs in, but into a lift! Rosser RAMS Kenta into the corner! Rosser CHOPS and LARIATS, over and over, then he fires off LARIAT after LARIAT! Rosser kicks Kenta’s leg out, then gives a HIP ATTACK! And another! And another! And another! Rosser lets off as the ref counts and fans fire up.
Rosser runs corner to corner, HIP ATTACK! Rosser drags Kenta out, LEG DROP! Then HIP DROP! Cover, TWO! Kenta survives but Rosser keeps focus. Rosser drags Kenta up, fireman’s carries, and runs, but Kenta slips off to rake eyes! Kenta rams Rosser into buckles, then kicks low for a DDT! Three DDTs for Rosser but Kenta isn’t done! Kenta climbs up, Rosser stands, FLYING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Rosser is still in this but Kenta brings him up. Kenta waistlocks but Rosser throws elbows! Rosser runs in but Kenta dumps him to the apron. Kenta BOOTS but Rosser stays on the apron. Kenta goes out to join him as fans fire up.
Kenta stands Rosser up, waistlocks, but Rosser resists the suplex by holding ropes! Rosser throws elbows, then switches around, APRON BACK SUPLEX! Kenta flops to the floor and fans fire up! Rosser goes to the apron, he leaps, FLYING HIP DROP! Rosser almost wipes himself out, but he drags Kenta up and into the ring. Rosser runs, and he CLOBBERS Kenta! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up while Kenta is in a daze. Rosser has a leg, he turns Kenta over, but Kenta rolls and drags Rosser down! GAME OVER CROSSFACE! Rosser endures, reaches out, crawls forward, ROPEBREAK! Kenta lets off with his hands but the ref has him let go of the arm with his legs.
Kenta KICKS Rosser in the back, KICKS him again, then stomps him on the apron! Kenta drags Rosser up through the ropes, has him draped, BRAIN KILLER! That’s the fourth DDT, San Jose is DDT City! Rosser is in the corner, Kenta runs in, FLYING BOOT! And then HESITATION DROPKICK! Fans are fired up while Rosser is down and Kenta climbs! COUP DE GRACE! Cover, TWO!! Rosser survives but Kenta starts the night-night hand motion, to then flip the fans off! Kenta slashes his throat, drags Rosser up and fireman’s carries! But Rosser fights free to the CROSSFACE CHICKEN WING!! Rosser has Kenta caught!!
Kenta endures, flails, he drags the ref into things and that forces Rosser to let go of the hold! Rosser is furious and he drags Kenta up. Kenta ROCKS Rosser with a forearm! Rosser ROCKS Kenta back! Kenta comes back, he throws a forearm, but so does Rosser! They go back and forth, no guard! Fans rally, Rosser gets the edge, but then Kenta CROSS COUNTERS! Rosser wobbles, Kenta ROCKS him again and again and again with palm strikes! Rosser blocks a shot, then ROCKS Kenta! And ROLLING ELBOWS!! Kenta’s down, Rosser covers, TWO!! Kenta survives and fans fire up again! Rosser is frustrated but he shakes out the cobwebs.
Fans declare “This is Awesome!” as Rosser HEADBUTTS Kenta! Rosser stands Kenta up, fireman’s carries, but Kenta grabs the ref! Rosser lets Kenta down, and he blocks Kenta’s kick! Rosser turns things around, tries the stepover, but Kenta rolls and sends Rosser into the ref! Fireman’s carry, GO TO- NO! Rosser blocks to get the STF CHICKEN WING!! Kenta taps but the ref is down! Rosser should’ve won by now but no one can call it! And here comes JUICE ROBINSON! Rosser swings on Juice, Juice dodges, and then Juice hits the LEFT HAND O’ GOD!!! But more than that, there appear to be coins spilling all over the place!!
Rosser is out cold in the ropes and Juice runs away! Kenta drags Rosser to the fireman’s carry, GO TO SLEEP!! Kenta wakes the ref up, brings him over, and then covers Rosser! KENTA WINS!
Winner: Kenta, by pinfall (NEW NJPW Strong Openweight Champion)
The Booster’s loaded left sets Rosser up for the fall! Rosser’s reign ends, and now Kenta is the third-ever champion! Kenta holds the belt over Rosser, will Kenta make NJPW Strong #JustTooSweet?
NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships: The Motor City Machine Guns VS The West Coast Wrecking Crew!
Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin are double tag champs with both these and the Impact Tag Team Championships, but Jorel Nelson & Royce Isaacs don’t care! They wanna bring some gold to Team Filthy, but will they pull it off in their home turf? Or will MCMG be greater than WCWC?
The introductions are made, the NJPW belts are- WAIT, WCWC strikes first! Royce goes after Sabin while Jorel is after Shelley! Jorel stomps away on Shelley and Royce CLUBS Sabin. Royce throws Sabin out and Jorel lets off Shelley, and then Jorel mocks the MCMG hand pointing. Jorel then kicks Shelley around, slaps him around, but Shelley throws him out! And Sabin SUPERKICKS him! Royce runs in but Shelley elbows him away! Sabin goes up top and MISSILE DROPKICKS! Fans fire up with MCMG and Shelley goes out to open the ropes. Sabin runs but Royce trips him up! And Jorel YANKS Shelley down!
Royce drags Sabin out and suplexes him, then walks around the ring with him! Jorel puts Shelley in the ring, Royce makes it halfway around the ring now while Jorel has Shelley in his own stalling suplex! Fans fire up for this display of strength, and “Roycey” completes his lap before “Relly” SLAMS Shelley down! Royce punctuates things by SLAMMING Sabin on the apron! Sabin flops to the floor, Royce joins Jorel in the ring, and Jorel says it’s photo op time! The WCWC pose, hard to say if anyone takes pictures, but Jorel stands Shelley up. Jorel EuroUppers, then RAMS Shelley into the corner!
Tag to Royce, he sets the leg up, and Jorel runs side to side to KNEE the knee! Jorel then grabs the leg for a DRAGON SCREW, and Royce runs to hit a SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, ONE!! Royce clamps onto Shelley and throws down “TEAM! FIL-THY!” elbows! Cover, TWO! Royce keeps the rhythm going with his claps, and he bumps Shelley off buckles. Royce tags Jorel, Jorel runs to DOUBLE KNEE! Shelley staggers into Royce’s BACKBREAKER! Jorel covers, TWO! Jorel clamps on a chinlock and he grinds Shelley down. Fans rally as Shelley endures, and Shelley fights up. Jorel shifts but Shelley kicks a leg!
Shelley fires forearms but Jorel hits a ROLLING ELBOW! Jorel says “West Side!” and DROPKICKS! Jorel then goes to a corner, climbs up top, but Sabin returns and shoves him down! Fans fire up, Jorely crawls, hot tag to Royce! Royce BLASTS Sabin off the apron, runs in, but Shelley catches him for the BUCKLE SHOT! Shelley crawls for his corner, but Jorel runs at Sabin! Sabin ROCKS Jorel first! Jorel staggers, Shelley slides under, hot tag to Sabin! Sabin BOOTS Jorel, runs and LARIATS, then he clotheslines Royce in a corner! Jorel runs in but Sabin hurdles, Jorel RAMS Royce in the corner!
Sabin then reels Jorel in, and he kicks off Royce to TORNADO DDT Jorel! Royce goes outside, Sabin goes to the apron, PENALTY KICK! Sabin keeps moving, he goes up and CROSSBODIES Jorel! Cover, TWO! Fans rally and Jorel staggers up. Shelley returns, fans fire up, MCMG BOOT ENZIGURI COMBO! Sabin tries to fireman’s carry but Jorely fights with elbows. Sabin elbows back, ROLLING ELBOWS, and Shelley ROLLING ELBOWS! They SUPERKICK LARIAT COMBO! MCMG whips Jorel out and WRECK Royce at the same time! Shelley opens the ropes for Sabin to DIVE onto WCWC!
Fans are thunderous and Sabin shows Jorel how to point at the hand. Sabin puts Jorel in, fans rally for “MOTOR CITY!” and Shelley sets Jorel up, Sabin is up top, MISSILE DROPKICK COMPLETE SHOT! Cover, TWO! Sabin brings Jorel up, fireman’s carries, but Jorel slips off! Shelley waistlocks but Jorel RAMS him back into the corner. Sabin runs in, Jorel dodges and the BOOT hits Shelley! Jorel KNEES Sabin! Royce gets in, he fireman’s carries Sabin and Jorel goes up top! Jorel steps on Sabin to drop the ELBOW on Shelley! And then Jorel sets up, Royce DEATH VALLEY DRIVERS Sabin onto Jorel’s knees! Cover, TWO!!
The WCWC can’t believe it but the fans fire up! MCMG regroup but the WCWC roar and stalk up behind them! Double deadlifts, and DOUBLE GERMAN SUPLEXES! Fans fire up as Jorel kips up! The WCWC roar again, and they focus on Sabin! Sabin’s on the apron, Royce full nelsons! And then pops Sabin up into a HIGH ANGLE GERMAN! Sabin staggers, Jorel FLYING CUTTERS!! Cover, Shelley breaks it in time! Royce ROLLING HAYMAKERS Shelley! Canadian Rack, but Shelley slips off! Shelley sends Royce into Jorel, then atomic drops! DREAM SEQUENCE on Royce!
Fans fire up as the MCMG now focus on Jorel. Shelley swings, misses, but switches. Jorel switches, Sabin helps Shelley get free, and then Sabin hits a CUTTER on Jorel! Fans fire up more and the MCMG double mule kick, hook Jorel up, DIRT BOMB!! Cover, MCMG wins!
Winners: The Motor City Machine Guns, by pinfall (still NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions)
The home game doesn’t go WCWC’s way, and Sabin & Shelley stay double tag team champions! Will the Machine Guns continue to have an impact on NJPW Strong?
High Stakes Grudge Match: Jay White VS Eddie Kingston!
The Switchblade’s New Beginning was actually more of an ending. He lost to Hikuleo, and now can NEVER return to Japan! But in his anger, he doubles down! The loser here will NEVER work in or even with NJPW again! Will White prove this is STILL his era? Or will the Mad King follow through on his promise to hurt White like he’s never been hurt before?
The bell rings and fans fire up already. White encourages the fans to get louder, even as they duel between him and Eddie. White eggs Eddie on, but then backs out of the ring. Fans boo as White trolls Eddie but Eddie storms up to the ropes! White scurries away, playing peekaboo at the corner. The ref has Eddie back off, White keeps trolling, so Eddie sits down and dares White to get in. White gets on the apron, Eddie rushes up, but White hotshots him away! White rushes in, but Eddie CHOPS him down! White flounders right out of the ring and fans fire up again. Eddie watches White sputter, and he holds the ropes open for White!
White is upset by that, he slides in, they tie up, and Eddie puts White in the corner. The ref gets between them, but White cheap CHOPS Eddie! White taunts Eddie, bumps him off buckles, then stomps a mudhole in! The ref counts, White digs his boot in, but lets off at 4. White CLUBS Eddie against the ropes, then stands him up in the corner to RAM his shoulder in again and again! The ref counts, White lets off to Too Sweet CHOP! Eddie hits an STO! Eddie rains down HEADBUTTS! The ref reprimands about hair pulling so Eddie lets off. Eddie sits White up to SLAP him! Then he stands White up to CHOP him back down!
Eddie stomps White at the ropes, stands on him, but the ref counts. Eddie lets off and fans fire up while White flounders. Eddie grins and tells White to fight back. Eddie stands White up but White throws elbows! Eddie CLUBS White in the chest! Eddie then CHOPS White in the back! Eddie eggs White on and fans rally up. White sits up, Eddie CLUBS him again! Eddie CHOPS White and White staggers back to a corner! White gets up to ROCK Eddie with a forearm, but Eddie CHOPS him back down! Eddie wants White to fight back and fans fire up. Eddie stands White up to half nelson, but White elbows free!
White kicks Eddie’s leg, and DDT! Eddie writhes to the ropes but White still has to catch his breath. Eddie crawls to a corner, fans rally up, and White goes to the opposite corner. White runs in to UPPERCUT! White then brings Eddie around, CORNER HALF HATCH! White grins now as Eddie writhes. White drags Eddie up again, BLADEBUSTER with some stank! Cover, TWO! Eddie survives but White is annoyed. White kicks at Eddie but Eddie eggs him on. White SLAPS Eddie, but Eddie likes that! Eddie SLAPS back, eggs White on, so White rakes the eyes! The ref reprimands, White stops, and he stalks Eddie.
White stands Eddie up, clinches, but Eddie throws elbows. White throws knees, clinches again, but Eddie fires off BACKHAND after BACKHANDE! Then EXPLODER! Fans fire up with Eddie and he stands White up again, LARIAT! Cover, TWO! White is still in this but Eddie keeps cool. Fans rally up while White crawls. Eddie drags White up, half nelsons, but White fights. Eddie shifts to a waistlock, but White fights that, too. Eddie lets go to CHOP White back down! Eddie wants White to get up, and White sits up, into another CHOP! Fans fire up as White sits up and smiles. Eddie smiles, too, and CHOPS White back down!
White sits up again, lip bleeding, but then he drops back to deny Eddie a chop. But Eddie makes White sit up so he can CHOP him! And then again! And again! Fans fire up as Eddie put his weight behind that one! But White sits up and shakes his head. Eddie gives White junkyard dog headbutts, but White comes back. They stand, Eddie CHOPS White and White flops out of the ring! Fans fire up behind Eddie as White uses the railing to stand. White gets back in the ring, Eddie CHOPS him again! White shakes his head as he staggers about, so Eddie CHOPS again! And CHOPS again! White flops to a corner, the smile gone.
White still shakes his head but Eddie CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! White sits down but the CHOPS keep coming! Eddie wants White to keep fighting, but White is laughing now! White drags himself up again, steps up to Eddie, and Eddie CHOPS again! White somehow stays up on his feet but he’s sputtering again. Eddie CHOPS again, and White leans against him to stay up. Eddie laughs and spins, but White ducks to then hit a COMPLETE SHOT! Both men are down and fans fire up! White crawls to Eddie, drags him up into a waistlock, deadlift GERMAN SUPLEX!! But Eddie stands back up!?
Eddie and White both stagger and stumble, go to opposite corners, but then they run in, White LARIATS Eddie down!! Cover, TWO!! White roars in anger, but he drags Eddie up into the clinch! URENAGE! Cover, TWO!!! Eddie survives and fans are thunderous! White sits Eddie up, finger guns at him, and has the sleeper. But Eddie resists the lift! Eddie powers out to CHOP! White CHOPS! Eddie leans against the corner, White CHOPS again! Too Sweet, CHOP! Eddie takes his straps down and CHOPS back! Fans fire up as both men stagger. White CHOPS, but Eddie CHOPS back! White steadies himself, fans rally up for Eddie, but White CHOPS again!
Eddie clutches his chest, but he CHOPS back again! White falls over! White sits up quick and shakes his head. White CHOPS, Eddie staggers, so White CHOPS again! Eddie roars to CHOP and CHOP! White falls again, Eddie has him in a corner, for MACHINE GUN CHOPS!! Eddie stands White up to CHOP again! White turns things around to MACHINE GUN CHOP!! They go forehead to forehead, Eddie pushes White back to CHOP! And CHOP! And CHOP!! White rakes Eddie’s eyes! The ref counts, White lets off at 4, but Eddie swings wild! He almost hits the ref! White rushes in, SNAP SLEEPER SUPLEX!!
White slashes his throat, drags Eddie back up, and BLADE- EYES TO THE FACE! Eddie returns the favor, then he pushes the ref away! White LOW BLOWS Eddie!!! Fans boo as White hits BLADERUNNER!!! But Eddie flops outta the ring!! Eddie stays safe and fans are thunderous! White fetches Eddie into the ring, covers, TWO!!! Eddie survives and White argues with the ref! The ref says the count was fair, so White has no choice but to drag Eddie up again. Eddie URAKENS!! Cover, TWO!?!? White survives Eddie’s best shot and no one can believe it! Fans are electric as Eddie sits White up. White pushes Eddie away but Eddie looms over him.
Eddie sits White up again, makes him look up at him, and then offers a fist bump. White looks at the fist, and SPITS at it! So Eddie URAKENS!! AND URAKENS!! White flounders into a corner, somehow stands up, and Eddie shouts at him to fight back. White swings feebly, into a HALF ‘N’ HALF!! White staggers up, into an URAKEN!!! Scoop and NORTHERN LIGHTS DRIVER!! Cover, TWO!??!? White survives and San Jose is in shock! White feebly reaches for Eddie but Eddie drags him up. Eddie says it’s okay, and then scoops again, NORTHERN LIGHTS DRIVER!!! Cover, EDDIE WINS!!!!
Winner: Eddie Kingston, by pinfall (Jay White MUST LEAVE NJPW)
The Mad King has put the last nail in the coffin of King Switch!! White’s era in NJPW is truly over! But as a show of respect, Eddie wants his song to end so that we can all show our appreciation for what White has done. White pushes the ref and the Young Lions away, and fans chant, “Thank You, Jay!” It is sinking in for Jay White that he has lost what little he had left. White stands, fans cheer and then chant, “Too Sweet! WOOP WOOP!” White gets the mic to say- WAIT! DAVID FINLAY!? SHILLELAGH SHOT!!! The Rebel ruins White’s moment!
Finlay grabs the mic to say, “You had this company by the balls, and you let it go? You had this business in the palm of your hand, and you let me take it from you! Do you have any idea how many years I sat backstage and I thought to myself, ‘I would kill for what Jay White has.’ Well, I stopped thinking about it and I decided that I will kill for what Jay White has! Excuse me, had. Jay, now I mean this from the bottom of my heart: F YOUR ERA! And F CALIFORNIA! And Japan, and Ireland, and anywhere else, because no matter where I go, I’m on the outside! In America, I’m Irish. In Ireland, I’m American. And in Japan, I’m a GAIJIN!
“Well quite frankly, it’s BS and I’m sick of it. Because I don’t just wrestle in a country, I wrestle in a BUSINESS!” Fans tell Finlay to STFU but Finlay says no, THEY should STFU. “You wanna call me the gaijin? My people have been here for FOUR GENERATIONS! How long have any of you been in here?! Huh, how long? Tell me, nobody can tell me. FOUR generations. So I’m telling you all in the back right now. California better here me, Japan better here me. If I find any of in between these ropes, you better have my permission to be there. So you, get that piece of sh*t outta here so we can get a nice clean shot of me to finish.”
Finlay says no more waiting, “this business was born from blood and dirt, and there is absolutely no place on earth a savage like me feels more at home!” The Rebel has issued an ultimatum to all of pro-wrestling, will this be Finlay’s era now?
Filthy Rules Fight: Tom Lawlor VS Homicide!
No disqualifications, no count outs, NO ROPES, and that means there’s no holding back on this one! Will this get downright filthy between these two wild warriors?
Lawlor gets the fans fired up as he spins around, and then takes off his sweats! Lawlor puts his ghi aside but the sweats give him some trouble. Fans cheer as they finally come off, and Lawlor then puts on his MMA gloves. The bell rings and Homicide CLOBBERS Lawlor! Cover, TWO! Homicide CLOBBERS Lawlor from behind, covers, TWO! Homicide argues the count but the ref says the count is fair. Homicide cravats but Lawlor pushes him away. With no ropes, Homicide has to jump to the floor! Homicide gets back to the apron, but Lawlor PENALTY KICKS his arm! Lawlor then hops down and grabs a trash can lid! SMACK to Homicide’s head!
Lawlor SMACKS Homicide again! Fans fire up and Lawlor puts the lid aside to go looking under the ring. Lawlor brings the trash can over to SMACK Homicide on the back! Lawlor snapmares Homicide, fans chant, “We Want Tables!” Lawlor runs around the ring to come back and PENALTY KICK! Lawlor fires up and fans fire up, too! Lawlor brings a chair over, and he SMACKS Homicide on the back! Lawlor puts the chair on the floor, fans rally up “TEAM! FIL-THY! “NEW! DAY ROCKS!” Lawlor runs down the ramp, but Homicide CHUCKS the chair at him!! Homicide then puts the chair in the ring and drags Lawlor up.
Homicide SMACKS Lawlor with the trash can lid! And then again! Homicide puts the trash can in the ring, too, and he brings Lawlor up. EXPLODER! Cover, TWO! Lawlor is still in this but Homicide checks the corner. The turnbuckles are there despite no ropes, so Homicide whips Lawlor into the POST! Lawlor flops down, and Homicide has baking sheets! Homicide SMACKS Lawlor again and again and again, then CLAPS him with both! Homicide stands Lawlor up, Lawlor throws body shots but Homicide knees low. Homicide CLUBS Lawlor, then he hits a DDT! Homicide goes looking again, and he brings out a ladder! Fans like the look of that!
Homicide props the ladder up against the ring, then gets a kendo stick. Homicide SMACKS Lawlor with it, and again! Homicide then goes looking for more, fans want a table but Homicide has FORKS!! Fans are going nuts as Homicide proves they’re metal forks. But Lawlor TACKLES Homicide, ties up the legs, CLOVERLEAF KNEEBAR!! But Homicide stabs at Lawlor’s TOES with the fork!!! Lawlor lets go of Homicide, but stands up into a CUTTER! Cover, TWO! Homicide argues the count but the ref says no, that was still a fair one. Homicide whips but Lawlor reverses and POSTS Homicide! Homicide falls to the floor!
Lawlor leaps off the apron! They crash into the railing! Lawlor stands up and fires up and fans fire up with him. Lawlor puts the ladder all the way in the ring, then grabs a chair. Lawlor SMACKS Homicide in the side, then he fires off haymakers! Lawlor takes off a glove, and he grabs a silver knuckle from the ring kit. Lawlor ROCKS Homicide with the silver knuckles! And again! And again! Homicide staggers away but Lawlor keeps on him! They go back to the ring, and Lawlor stomps Homicide against the post. Lawlor hooks Homicide’s mouth with the turnbuckle!! Fans tell Lawlor he’s sick, but he stands Homicide up.
Lawlor says, “I’m about to act up! Y’all wanna see a Homicide?” Fans fire up and Lawlor runs corner to corner, but Homicide dodges! The punch hits the post!! Homicide CHUCKS another chair into Lawlor’s face!! Lawlor’s hand is busted open but Homicide searches for stuff. He throws out the ropes, and then brings out a WOOD DOOR! Fans thought it was a table but it’s not. The ref reprimands but there’s nothing that can stop this. Homicide hits Lawlor with a NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Homicide SMACKS Lawlor with the trash can! Homicide then stands Lawlor up, but Lawlor picks Homicide up, URENAGE on the trash can! Cover, TWO!!
Lawlor keeps his cool as he drags Homicide off the can. Lawlor kicks Homicide down, then goes looking under the ring. Fans still want a table, but Lawlor can’t find one. Fans say, “Use The Door!” so Lawlor gives a thumbs up! He scoops Homicide, but Homicide slips off! Snap suplex! Uno amigo, then another! Dos amigos, and Homicide gets back up. But Lawlor slips around, GERMAN SUPLEX! And another GERMAN SUPLEX! But Homicide fights through to hit another amigo! But Lawlor slips around to GERMAN SUPLEX! Both men are down and fans fire up! Fans chant “USE THE DOOR!” as Homicide clinches.
Lawlor elbows Homicide then ENZIGURIS! V-TRIGGER! Lawlor sits Homicide up and KAMI-GOYES! Then the SLEEPER!! Homicide flails, reaches out, but there are no ropes to use. Fans rally, Homicide fights up and fireman’s carries! Homicide aims, FLYING DEATH VALLEY through the door!!! Fans lose their minds as both men crash down! The ref checks both men in the wreckage, and Homicide sits up first. Homicide puts part of the busted door in the ring, then he brings Lawlor along. Homicide sits Lawlor up but Lawlor throws body shots. Homicide still reels Lawlor in, PILEDRIVER on the door! Cover, TWO!!!
Homicide calls his shot, he turns Lawlor around, but Lawlor slips out of the vertabreaker! Homicide kicks low, reels him back in, but Lawlor fights the lift! He back drops Homicide on the ladder! Homicide writhes, Lawlor gets a chair and CHUCKS it at him! And then runs in, PENALTY KICK! Cover, TWO!! Homicide is still in this but Lawlor has the piece of door! He SMACKS Homicide back down!! And then he goes to the ladder! Lawlor stands the ladder up, brings a chair along, and he places the chair on Homicide’s face. Lawlor stands the ladder up, says a quick prayer, then climbs! Fans freak out as Lawlor goes to the very top! FALLING HEADBUTT TO THE CHAIR!!!
Both men writhe and fans lose their minds! Cover, TWO!?!? Homicide survives but Lawlor slashes his throat! Lawlor straitjackets for the NASTY KNEE ON THE BRAIN!! And then REAR NAKED CHOKE!!! Homicide flips Lawlor off, then fades out! Lawlor wins!!!
Winner: Tom Lawlor, by submission
That was brutal, that was nasty, and in the end, it was filthy! Lawlor wins big, will he go from here to grab some gold?
NJPW World Television Championship: Zack Sabre Jr. VS Clark Connors!
The Submission Master is now The Mighty’s Front Man, and he does not kneel. But will he get run over by the Wild Rhino? Or will ZSJ make sure Connors’ 15 minutes of fame are all he gets?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see how long Connors’ scene lasts!
The bell rings, the two circle and feel things out. They knuckle lock, ZSJ kicks free, and he resets with Connors. Fans rally, the two tie up collar ‘n’ elbow, and they end up on ropes. The ref gets in between them but they don’t break. ZSJ and Connors let off cleanly, and Connors pats ZSJ on the shoulders. ZSJ EuroUppers! So Connors EuroUppers! The EuroUppers go back and forth, ZSJ eggs Connors on and Connors CHOPS! And CHOPS! ZSJ uppercuts, Connors uppercuts, and Connors brings ZSJ up. ZSJ headbutts low, headlocks, but Connors powers out. They RAM shoulders, and Connors eggs ZSJ on.
ZSJ runs, they RAM shoulders, and now ZSJ eggs Connors on. Connors runs, but into a BOOT! ZSJ runs, RAMS Connors, but Connors redirects to run ZSJ over! Fans fire up, Connors throws hands and CHOPS! ZSJ ends up in a corner, Connors CHOPS him again! ZSJ falls over, fans fire up with Connors, but ZSJ says that’s weak stuff. ZSJ gets up, shoulder bumps Connors, then eggs him on. Connors CHOPS him off his feet! Fans fire up and ZSJ sits up, nodding. He admits, that was good. Connors eggs ZSJ on, “C’mon, mate!” ZSJ EuroUppers! Connors CHOPS! ZSJ goes to ropes, Connors whips but ZSJ catches him, spins him, and gets a COBRA TWIST!
Fans fire up for that great exchange, but then Connors hip tosses out! Connors brings ZSJ up but ZSJ snapmares and NECK TWISTS! ZSJ flexes, sits on Connors and keeps the neck lock. ZSJ pats Connors on the stomach but lets off. Connors goes to ropes and fans rally up. ZSJ stands Connors up, trips him, and then stands on one leg as he twists the other! Connors endures as ZSJ tweaks and yanks on the ankle! ZSJ then steps through, SMASHES the other leg, and SMASHES it again! ZSJ then shifts again, Deathlock and some hair pulling, but into a BOW ‘N’ ARROW! Connors reaches out, ROPEBREAK, and ZSJ lets go quickly.
Connors goes to the corner while fans cheer ZSJ. ZSJ walks up to Connors, gives him toying kicks, then tells off the fans. ZSJ kicks and kicks and kicks, but Connors stands to CHOP! And CHOP! And CHOP! ZSJ KICKS Connors down! Fans rally and we’re past five minutes. ZSJ bends fingers and twists the wrist! Connors has the ROPEBREAK, but ZSJ lets off with a stomp. ZSJ shouts at the San Jose fans, then stands Connors up to wrench and wristlock. ZSJ flexes, twists the wrist, but Connors throws body shots! ZSJ hits an ELBOW BREAKER, runs, but Connors ducks ‘n’ runs to POUNCE! ZSJ ends up in a corner and fans fire up!
Connors is in the opposite corner and fans rally up. ZSJ and Connors drag themselves up, Connors runs in to ELBOW! Connors whips corner to corner, runs in and RAMS into ZSJ! But ZSJ facelocks for a GUILLOTINE, but Connors RAMS ZSJ back in! Connors whips ZSJ, ZSJ comes back, FLYING GUILLOTINE! Connors stays up while ZSJ has the body scissors, and Connors powers up and out with a NORTHERN LIGHTS! Fans fire up, Connors runs to BOOT ZSJ down! Stacked cover, TWO!! ZSJ escapes after being folded up and Connors grows frustrated. Fans rally, Connors brings ZSJ up, but ZSJ blocks the suplex!
Connors keeps trying but ZSJ fights the suplex to then WRING the bad arm! ZSJ tells fans to shut up about PG, they should just go watch “the other show.” ZSJ kicks Connors around but Connors snarls. Connors ROCKS ZSJ, but that’s his bad arm! ZSJ eggs Connors on, so Connors ROCKS ZSJ with the other arm! ZSJ EuroUppers! Connors comes back to ROCK ZSJ again! ZSJ EuroUppers again! Connors ROCKS ZSJ, ZSJ wants the left! So Connors ROCKS him with the left! Connors swings again, but ZSJ blocks to PELE the arm! ZSJ full nelsons, Connors breaks it, but ZSJ GERMAN SUPLEXES!
Connors stands!? ZSJ BOOTS, but Connors rebounds to CLOBBER ZSJ! Connors snap suplexes ZSJ down! Cover, TWO! Connors is frustrated but the fans rally as he aims from the corner. Connors runs in, into a KNEE! He comes back, but ZSJ sprawls the Spear! FUJIWARA, to JIM BREAKS ARMBAR! And then a RINGS OF SATURN variation! But Connors endures, sits up, but gets caught into a TESCO MEAL DEAL WITH A SIDE OF CRAB!! Connors fights, rolls, but into a HALF CRAB!! But Connors still gets the ROPEBREAK! And we’re at ten minutes now! Time is not on Connors’ side and ZSJ revels in it.
ZSJ talks trash on the fans, runs in at Connors, PENALTY- NO! Connors blocks the kick! Connors stands, ZSJ SLAPS him! And SLAPS! Connors eggs him on, ZSJ SLAPS more, but Connors HEADBUTTS! Connors swings, into a SNAP DRAGON! Bridging cover, TWO!!! Connors survives and ZSJ is frustrated. Connors sits up, into a PENALTY KICK! And then another KICK! And another KICK! Connors eggs ZSJ on so ZSJ PENALTY KICKS! ZSJ runs, into a SPEAR!! Connors fires up, whips ZSJ, POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO!! Connors snarls, he brings ZSJ up but ZSJ plays dead. ZSJ then bends the fingers!
Three minutes left, ZSJ SLAPS Connors! ZSJ eggs Connors on, Connors CHOPS, but ZSJ blocks to UPPERCUT the arm! Connors CHOPS again! ZSJ falls over and fans fire up with Connors! Connors runs in, but into an UPPERCUT! Connors comes back, he catches ZSJ to a backslide! TWO!!! Connors hurries to haul ZSJ up, POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO!!! Fans fire up as we reach the two minute warning! Connors stands ZSJ up, waistlocks, but ZSJ standing switches. ZSJ trips Connors, body scissors and rolls, JAPAN- NO, Connors grabs ZSJ for a REAR NAKED CHOKE!! ZSJ is turning red already as he fights up!
Connors squeezes tight, ZSJ stands, but ZSJ is fading! Connors hauls ZSJ up, TROPHY- NO, TRIANGLE HOLD! But Connors rolls through, OH MY GAH ANKLE!! ZSJ stands but Connors TWISTS! ZSJ turns, drags Connors down, DISARMER!! Connors taps, ZSJ wins!!
Winner: Zack Sabre Jr, by submission (still NJPW World TV Champion)
With one minute remaining on the clock, ZSJ snatches victory from the jaws of defeat! Will The Front Man’s TV time ever run out? But wait, as ZSJ goes up the ramp, Kevin Knight is there to meet him, and it’s clear he wants next. ZSJ asks San Jose, “What do you morons think?” ZSJ tells Knight he’ll think about it, but Knight says it’s only a matter of time.
IWGP Women’s Championship: KAIRI VS Mercedes Moné!
The Pirate Princess and The Boss–or, CEO now–have met before when they were both in the WWE. But this is a different time and place. Will that mean it will be a different result between them? Or will history repeat itself and prove Moné is money?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is the captain of this ship!
The bell rings and fans already chant “This is Awesome!” Fans then chant for “MER-CE-DES! MER-CE-DES!” Mercedes and Kairi circle, and then fans chant for “KAI-RI! KAI-RI!” Mercedes is a little annoyed, but she and Kairi tie up. They go around, end up in a corner, and Mercedes has Kairi in a corner. The ref counts, Mercedes lets off, and then allows Kairi to come back. The two circle again, tie up again, and go around. Mercedes wrenches to wristlock, but Kairi wrenches back. Kairi hammerlocks, Mercedes reaches back to headlock. Kairi throws body shots, powers up and out, but Sasha springboards to arm-drag, roll through, BANK STATEMENT!
Kairi moves around, slips free, and the two stand off. Mercedes lets Kairi know it was that close, but applauds Kairi’s escape. They reset, feel things out, and fans rally for both. Kairi and Mercedes knuckle lock, go shoulder to shoulder in a Test of Strength, and they each hook with their heads to look for leverage. Kairi powers Mercedes back but Mercedes bridges. Mercedes then powers up to push Kairi back, but Kairi bridges! Fans fire up as Kairi then powers up, but Mercedes BOOTS and headlocks! Kairi throws body shots, powers out, and then follows to rebound and RANA! Fans fire up as Kairi SHOTGUNS Mercedes out of the ring!
Mercedes stands up, Kairi goes to the apron, and fans fire up as she FLYING KABUKI ELBOWS! Kairi fires up and fans are with her as she goes back to the apron. The ring count starts, Kairi drags Mercedes up and puts her in, then brings Mercedes up. Kairi CHOPS! Fans fire up while Mercedes is stinging! Kairi stands Mercedes up again, to CHOP her again! Kairi runs in but Mercedes dodges to CHOP, CHOP and CHOP away with both hands! Mercedes stands Kairi up, knuckle locks and goes up and up and FLYING ARM-DRAGS! Kairi tumbles all the way to the other corner, Mercedes runs in to DOUBLE KNEE! Cover, TWO!
Mercedes knuckle locks and wrenches while fans duel. Mercedes goes up and up but Kairi trips her! Kairi CLUBS and SLAPS Mercedes into the Tree of Woe, and then she stomps her more! Kairi climbs up, but Mercedes sits up to throw hands! Mercedes gets free, and STEP-UP KNEES Kairi down! Kairi is on the apron, Mercedes stands her up and POSTS her! Then she goes to the other side to HOTSHOT Kairi down! Fans fire up again as Mercedes stalks Kairi. Mercedes brings her up, SLAMS her hand on the apron, and then brings her to a corner. Mercedes YANKS Kairi into the post! Mercedes drags Kairi up, puts Kairi in the ring, covers, TWO!
Mercedes looms over Kairi, kicks her around, and talks some smack. Fans are torn, but then Mercedes SLAPS Kairi down! Mercedes stands on Kairi while motioning she’ll be wearing the belt. But Kairi fires forearms in return! Kairi whips, Mercedes reverses and spins Kairi, DDT! Cover, TWO! But Mercedes has the arm for a top wristlock! Fans rally as Kairi endures, and Kairi kicks her way around. Kairi fights up, rolls Mercedes up, TWO! Mercedes CLOBBERS Kairi! Cover, TWO! Mercedes sighs, and she takes off a leg warmer to SLAP Kairi with it! The ref reprimands but that’s not illegal.
Mercedes CHOKES Kairi on the ropes, lets off, then CHOKES her again! Mercedes STANDS on Kairi, but lets off as the ref counts. Kairi gets out to the railing but Mercedes goes out after her. Mercedes puts Kairi right back in, wrenches and hits an ARM BREAKER! Cover, TWO! Mercedes grows frustrated but she cools herself off. Mercedes drags Kairi up and brings her to a corner. Mercedes scoops Kairi to put her in a Tree of Woe, digs her boot in, then wraps Kairi’s arms around ropes! Mercedes pulls Kairi’s arms while digging her boots in! Then she kicks away on Kairi! The ref counts, Mercedes lets off with a BOOT!
Kairi flops out of the Tree, Mercedes brings her out of the ring. Mercedes has Kairi at the corner, but Kairi blocks the yank to YANK Mercedes into the post! Fans rally as Kairi fires up! Kairi stands Mercedes up, whips her into a POST! Mercedes goes tumbling away and fans fire up with Kairi! Kairi wants one more, she whips Mercedes but Mercedes reverses! Kairi hits POST! Both women are down, the ring count is 10 of 20! They stir at 12, fans rally up, and both women drag themselves up at 15! They stagger, Kairi and Mercedes slide in at 19!! Fans fire up, Kairi runs in but into a takedown! Mercedes STOMPS the bad arm!
Mercedes looms over Kairi, drags her up, and back suplexes, just to stick Kairi on the corner. Mercedes CLUBS away on Kairi’s back, then climbs up behind her. Fans rally and duel as Mercedes goes to the very top! But Kairi trips Mercedes up! Now Mercedes is in the Tree! Kairi turns around, for WOE STOMPS!! Fans fire up as Kairi roars! Kairi grits her teeth while Mercedes slowly sits up. Mercedes drags herself up in the corner, she storms up on Kairi but Kairi blocks the kick! Kairi throws Mercedes down, runs, and hits the BLOCKBUSTER! Mercedes stands again, INTERCEPTOR! Kairi is fired up and the fans are thunderous!
Mercedes is in another corner, and Kairi beats the mat. Fans clap along and Kairi stomps around. Time to walk the plank! SLIDING D! Fans fire up again as Kairi climbs up! FLYING KABUKI ELBOW! Cover, TWO! But Kairi snapmares Mercedes, wraps on headscissors, and she adds an arm, it’s a modified TRIANGLE HOLD! Fans are dueling as Mercedes endures! Mercedes rolls and reaches out, ROPEBREAK! Kairi lets go in frustration but she goes to the apron. Kairi drags Mercedes up, Alabama Lifts, but Mercedes fights free! Mercedes reels Kairi in but Kairi tries another Alabama! Mercedes fights free again and KNEES Kairi down!
Mercedes METEORAS Kairi to the floor!! Fans fire up again and Mercedes drags Kairi up into the ring. Mercedes goes up the corner now, and she METEORAS again!! Cover, TWO!!! Kairi survives and Mercedes is shrieking! Mercedes argues with the ref but that was a fair count! Mercedes takes off the bodice and her leg warmer, she vows to finish this! Mercedes drags Kairi up, wraps on the chinlock, but Kairi drops down to victory roll! TWO!! Mercedes has the roll, TWO!! Kairi swings, but into a SHOTGUN from Mercedes! That did damage to both of them, but they both get up! Kairi swings but Mercedes ducks the backhand! STUNNER!! And then victory roll! TWO!!
Mercedes runs, but Kairi ducks the Meteora to roll her back! ANCHOR HOLD!!! Kairi sits back deep but Mercedes claws her way towards ropes! Fans rally and duel, Mercedes reaches, but Kairi drags her away! Kairi wraps the ANCHOR HOLD on tighter!!! But Mercedes pulls hair! BACKSLIDE, TWO!!! INTO THE BANK STATEMENT!!! Kairi flails, endures, but she can’t see where she is! Kairi kicks around, feels her way, ROPEBREAK!! Mercedes lets go in frustration and San Jose is thunderous! They declare “This is Wrestling!” as Mercedes drags Kairi up. Mercedes CLUBS away on Kairi’s shoulder, then runs, but into the CUTLASS URAKEN!! Cover, TWO!?!?
Kairi is furious but the fans fire up with her! Kairi vows to end this and she drags Mercedes up. Alabama Lift, for the ALABAMA SLAMA!! Kairi then prepares her elbow, but Mercedes grabs a leg with legs! Kairi stomps away on Mercedes but Mercedes gets to the apron. Kairi brings Mercedes into the ropes to CLUB and AX KICK! Mercedes is stuck, Kairi runs, but Mercedes gets free! BAYLEY2BELLY!!! Cover, TWO!!!! Mercedes’ shoutout to her best frenemy and San Jose’s own doesn’t finish it! Mercedes is beside herself, but she drags Kairi back up. Facelock, snap suplex! Una Amiga! Another snap suplex, Dos Amigas!
Mercedes has Kairi up again, gives us some Latina Heat, but Kairi SATELLITE DDTS the third Amiga!!! Both women are down again and fans again say, “This is Awesome!” Mercedes and Kairi crawl to each other, both shaking their heads. The forearms start flying back and forth, then Mercedes SLAPS! Kairi SLAPS, Mercedes returns to forearms! They stand, Kairi pulls hair but Mercedes gets free. Kairi kicks low, URAKEN into the ref! The CEO used the ref as a shield and the ref takes the Cutlass! Mercedes smirks while Kairi checks on the ref. Kairi says Mercedes did that on purpose! Mercedes defends her innocence, but Kairi fires off!
Mercedes runs to the ramp but Kairi is after her! Kairi brings Mercedes up the ramp, CLUBS away on her back and shoulders, then AX KICKS her down! Kairi kicks Mercedes off the ramp! Fans fire up and Kairi goes to the stage. Kairi builds speed and FLIES! But Mercedes catches her! To SMACK her off the stage, and BOOT her down! Fans fire up as Mercedes goes looking under the stage, to bring out a TABLE!!! San Jose’s been hungry for this all night, so Mercedes sets the table! Mercedes drags Kairi up, aiming from the stage. But Kairi fights the suplex, slips under, and gets Mercedes in position, POWERBOMB through the table!!!
San Jose loses their minds and Kairi throws Mercedes’ money all over her! Kairi then drags Mercedes from the wreckage and brings her back to ringside. Kairi puts Mercedes in, climbs the corner, and Kairi prepares that elbow! In-SANE- BOOTS?!?! Mercedes kicks Kairi out of the air and fans lose their minds again! Kairi is down in the drop zone now, and Mercedes drags herself over to the other corner! Mercedes climbs, for a FROG SPLASH onto knees!! Kairi returns the favor, then rushes in, to steal the BANK STATEMENT!!! Kairi is focusing purely on the facelock but that allows Mercedes to crawl! Mercedes BITES the hands!!
Kairi lets Mercedes go but both women are down from exhaustion! Fans are thunderous again as they both sit up, back to back. They hook arms, roll around, stand up, and Mercedes Gory Especials, to the MONEY MAKER!!! Cover, MERCEDES WINS!!!
Winner: Mercedes Moné, by pinfall (NEW IWGP Women’s Champion)
There can only be one inaugural champion, but there can also only be one second champion! The CEO dethrones the Pirate Princess, and she is the captain now! Mercedes makes money and she makes history, adding this title to her already WWE Grand Slam and Hall of Fame worthy career. Will she continue to make history and set records with this belt?
Mercedes does show respect to Kairi by offering a handshake, and Kairi stands to accept it. Then they hug! Fans cheer the sportsmanship, is this just the beginning of a rivalry that will define this title?
IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Kazuchika Okada VS Hiroshi Tanahashi!
The Rainmaker’s New Beginning was just the start of a new chapter, as he slayed the Rampaging Dragon to stay on top of the mountain. However, he wanted to up the ante on himself, so he challenged The Ace to this Battle in the Valley! Tanahashi obliged, and promised to return the favor from that “Rainmaker shock” way back when. Will Okada feel an “Ace Shock” here tonight? Or will he make it rain even in the USA?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is truly the best in NJPW!
Fans cheer as Tanahashi takes off the jacket to show off the abs. The bell rings and fans fire up as the two stare down. Fans lose their minds already, and the two icons circle. Okada and Tanahashi feel things out, tie up, and are in a deadlock. Okada gets around but Tanahashi switches. Okada wrenches out but Tanahashi wrenches back. Okada rolls, trips Tanahashi and has the toehold. Fans applaud this opening exchange, but Tanahashi half nelsons to then get the arm. Okada clasps hands to resist, and he stacks Tanahashi, ONE! They stand off and the fans applaud. Okada backs off and the two circle again.
They tie up again, Okada powers Tanahashi back to ropes, but the ref counts the ropebreak. Fans duel, “TA-NA-HA-SHI!” “O-KA-DA!” Okada lets off, fakes the chop, and he pats Tanahashi on the shoulders. Tanahashi storms up but Okada kicks low. Okada headlocks, Tanahashi powers out but Okada runs him over! Fans cheer, things speed up, and Tanahashi arm-drags! Fans cheer again as Tanahashi has the armlock. Okada endures, fights up, but Tanahashi wrenches the arm. Tanahashi throws a body shot, whips, but Okada reverses. Okada runs in but into an elbow! Tanahashi goes up to CROSSBODY! Fans fire up for the air guitar!
Okada crawls to the corner, Tanahashi runs in, but Okada dodges the splash! Okada hauls Tanahashi up top, to DROPKICK Tanahashi down! Tanahashi hits the floor and fans fire up! The ref checks Tanahashi but he’s okay to continue. Okada goes out after Tanahashi, and RAMS him into railing! Fans fire up while Okada backs off and the ref checks Tanahashi again. Tanahashi is still okay to continue so Okada drags him up. Okada brings Tanahashi around to RAM him into the apron! The ring count starts, Okada brings Tanahashi to the ramp but Tanahashi throws body shots! Okada kicks low, DDT to the ramp!
Okada stands back up as the count reaches 9 of 20. Okada drags Tanahashi up at 12, brings him around, and puts him in at 13. Fans rally as Okada looms over Tanahashi. Okada bumps Tanahashi off buckles, throws back elbows, then lets off. Okada brings Tanahashi out, and DDTs! Cover, TWO! Fans rally while Tanahashi clutches his neck. Okada hears fans chant “GO ACE! GO ACE!” and Tanahashi stands up. Tanahashi throws forearms but Okada eggs him on. Tanahashi throws another forearm, but Okada kicks low and turns Tanahashi for a NECKBREAKER! Okada has a cocky cover but the ref won’t count that.
Fans boo Okada being so smug, but Okada paces around Tanahashi. Tanahashi stands and Okada eggs him on. Tanahashi throws more forearms but Okada eggs him on more! Tanahashi throws another forearm, but Okada ROCKS him with one! Okada wrenches Tanahashi’s arm and whips him corner to corner! Okada runs in, but into BOOTS! Tanahashi fires up to fire off forearms on Okada! Okada UPPERCUTS back! Okada whips, Tanahashi comes back with a FLYING FOREARM! Fans fire up with The Ace and he waits on Okada. Okada stands, Tanahashi fires off his strike fest! Then a scoop and SLAM into the drop zone!
Tanahashi goes up the corner, fans fire up, SUNSET SENTON! Cover, TWO! Okada is still in this but Tanahashi keeps his cool. Tanahashi waits on Okada to stand, and Tanahashi runs, to dropkick the leg out! Tanahashi keeps moving, he blocks a boot! Fans duel but Tanahashi hits a DRAGON SCREW! Okada flops out of the ring and Tanahashi pounds the mat. Fans rally behind that and Tanahashi goes to the corner. Tanahashi climbs, Okada stands, ACES HIGH!! Direct hit and fans fire up again! A ring count starts with both men down. The count reaches 5 of 20 before Tanahashi stands.
Tanahashi hobbles over, he drags Okada up at 8, and he puts Okada in at 9. Fans fire up with Tanahashi and he waits on Okada to stand. Tanahashi runs, but Okada FLAP- NO, Tanahashi fights that off! Tanahashi whips, Okada reverses and FLAPJACKS after all! Both men are down again but fans fire back up. Tanahashi and Okada go to opposite corners as the fans rally. Okada glares at Tanahashi, but Tanahashi glares back. They both run in, and Tanahashi dropkicks the legs out! Okada clutches his knee, Tanahashi runs back in at the corner, but Okada pops him up! Alabama Lift, REVERSE NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!
Okada is frustrated but he drags Tanahashi up. Okada scoops, SLAMS, then goes to the corner. Per the formula, Okada climbs up for the MACHO ELBOW! Okada overshoots just a bit, but he still gives us the Rainmaker Pose! Fans fire up and Okada brings Tanahashi up! But Tanahashi fights the wristlock! Tanahashi swings, into the MONEY CLIP!! Tanahashi endures, fans rally up, but Okada squeezes tighter! Tanahashi fights his way around, reaches out, but Okada brings him from ropes, into a BACK2BACKBREAKER! And then MONEY CLIP!! Okada has Tanahashi stuck on the mat but Tanahashi still endures!
Fans rally with “LET’S GO, ACE!” and Tanahashi fights his way over, ROPEBREAK! Okada lets go in frustration but fans applaud. Tanahashi sputters but Okada drags him up. Okada has the wrist, he brings Tanahashi around, but Tanahashi catches the short arm lariat! Full nelson, but Okada breaks free! Only for Tanahashi to GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Okada escapes but Tanahashi just fires up again! Tanahashi waits on Okada to stand, then he runs, but Okada scoops! Tanahashi fights free, and SLINGBLADES! Cover, TWO! Okada survives but Tanahashi goes right up the corner! HIGH FLY FLOW to Okada’s back!
Tanahashi goes back up and fans fire back up! HIGH FLY FLOW but onto knees! Okada saves himself but it was double-edged given the damage Tanahashi’s done to those legs! Fans rally up again as both men are down. Tanahashi and Okada both rise slowly and they crawl to each other. Tanahashi throws a forearm, but Okada throws one back! Fans duel as Tanahashi throws another forearm, and Okada throws it back! Tanahashi throws a shot, Okada returns it! Tanahashi stands and eggs Okada on! Fans fire up, Okada stands, and Tanahashi gives yet another forearm! Okada comes back to return that forearm!
Tanahashi hits, Okada hits, repeat! They pick up speed, then Okada wobbles! Fans fire up while the ref checks. Okada returns to throw a forearm! Tanahashi gives it back, and they go back and forth again! Okada uppercuts, but Tanahashi fires a strike fest! Fans fire up, as does Tanahashi, but Okada SHOTGUNS Tanahashi down! Okada staggers over, drags her up, but Tanahashi DRAGON PALMS! Tanahashi runs, into the DROPKICK! Okada roars, fans fire up again, and Okada brings Tanahashi up. Gut wrench, for the LANDSLIDE! Fans fire up again and Okada has Tanahashi in the wristlock! Ripcord, but Tanahashi kicks the bad leg!
Okada still has the wrist, and he shakes his head! But DRAGON PALM catches him first! But Okada still holds the wrist! Fans rally up, Okada swings, into a SLINGBLADE! Tanahashi roars and fans roar with him! Tanahashi goes back up top, and he waits on Okada to stand. HIGH FLY ATTACK into a DROPKICK!?! Okada shoots Tanahashi out of the sky! Now fans roar with Okada, and he ripcords! RAIN- CRADLE!!! TWO!?!?!? Okada escapes by nanoseconds! Tanahashi runs in, into a scoop! Tanahashi slips out, full nelsons, but Okada switches, ripcord, ENZIGURI! And then gut wrench, COBRA FLOWSION!!
Okada fires up, he stands Tanahashi back up, ripcord, RAINMAKER!!! Cover, Okada wins!!
Winner: Kazuchika Okada, by pinfall (still IWGP World Heavyweight Champion)
This may not have been a shocker, but it was still another instant classic between NJPW’s very best! Was this truly the last shot for the Once in a Century Talent? Or can he fight his way back before the end?
As for Okada, he puts on the belt and gets the mic as fans chant his name. Okada says, “SAN JOSEEE~! How was NJPW tonight?” Fans cheer because they loved it! Okada says, “This is pro-wrestling. THIS IS NJPW!” Fans cheer that! “Thank you for your support. Tanahashi-san, we showed what NJPW is! Thank you, Tanahashi-san, arigato gozaimashita.” Fans cheer the sportsmanship, and Okada continues to say, “Tanahashi-san, let’s bring back our dream tag team. Let’s become IWGP Tag Team Champions!” Fans fire up for that! “Let’s make it rain. Let’s make it…” RAIN!” “Let’s make it!” “RAIN!!” Okada fires up hearing that.
Okada also says this is great stuff, this was awesome, and thanks San Jose for this. “See you next time. And when I return as IWGP Tag Team AND World Heavyweight Champion in San Jose, I will make it rain~!” WAIT! Mercedes makes her way back out! Her match counted as a co-main-event, so she wants to stand side by side with the world champion! Okada gets groovy with her theme, and both top champs hold up their titles! Mercedes gets the mic and thanks San Jose “from the bottom of my heart. NJPW, Stardom, you made my dream come true tonight.
“Now, I heard in the back, Okada, you have a dream team in mind. But me and you have a lot in common, so I think this is the true dream team.” Fans like the sound of that, too. Mercedes says, “I know you like to make it rain, but I like to make money. So what do you say? Is it time to make that money?” Could the top two champs in NJPW find a way to make it rain together?
My Thoughts:
An awesome event for NJPW in the states to bring about big stuff from both main stories in Japan and the big stories from NJPW Strong. Great title match from Rosser VS Kenta, but I did not expect Juice to show up and screw Rosser over. Granted, Bullet Club of course helps out Bullet Club (and I’m sure there’s story there from NJPW Strong I don’t know about since I don’t cover NJPW Strong), but Kenta getting this title is a big move. Kenta will basically be running NJPW Strong now with the stateside Bullet Club members, and that makes sense given the shocker in White VS Kingston. White VS Kingston was an awesome match, but I did not think White was going to lose a match that would exile him from the entirety of NJPW.
Now, White’s NJPW contract is said to be up soon, so it seems he’s not even gonna serve it out on NJPW Strong. White has plenty of options, from the companies NJPW works with in Impact and AEW, to even going all the way to the WWE. As exciting as the latter is, I feel like White will try and make it work in the other companies first. He’s done plenty in Impact, and done a bit in AEW per the Forbidden Door crossover, he could easily continue those stories in full. And on top of that, I did not expect David Finlay of all people to go after White and use that for a Heel turn. I suppose they could use that story in Impact if Finlay still dabbles over there, because this seemed like such a big moment for them both to let it be something that never gets resolved.
As for if White were to actually go to the WWE, I would think he goes straight to the main roster, and he could even join up with Judgment Day. It’d play on the NJPW kayfabe that Finn Balor gave him the nod when it came to White joining and taking over Bullet Club. Then you can have a lot of fun, whether it’s White making Judgment Day even stronger, to usurping it from Finn like Finn did Edge. The betrayal would even fit White’s MO, as he rejected Kenny Omega’s Bullet Club to then betray Chaos and go Bullet Club after all. It may not be the Switchblade Era, but the wrestling world is White’s oyster.
Great tag match from MCMG VS WCWC, in which Royce & Jorel looked strong even in defeat. I’m not as familiar with MCMG’s story in Impact, but I don’t know the likelihood of MCMG losing either set of belts just yet. Everyone agrees they’re a great tag team, I wonder if they try to get in on AEW stories in the same way FTR was getting in on NJPW stories. Then we got some really wild stuff out of the Filthy Rules Fight, and I certainly didn’t think we’d see a door used in place of a table. Lawlor winning makes sense, given what was mentioned about Homicide tearing through Team Filthy. Lawlor shows why he’s leader of Team Filthy, and could be headed for a title after this win.
And then we got great title matches to finish this off. The NJPW World TV title’s 15 minute time limit continues to be a great driving force in the pace and the choreography of these matches, and Connors looks great even in defeat. Kevin Knight stepping up was a nice touch after his team won earlier tonight. NJPW executives themselves said this title was to elevate the younger generation in the roster, so we’re seeing a lot of Young Lion graduates truly getting their 15 minutes of fame.
Kairi VS Mercedes put on an amazing match for the Women’s Championship, and again, I did not see a table spot coming. I do feel bad for Kairi losing, as she only had that title for 90 days with one successful defense. Granted, Kairi fought through the tournament to be crowned champion, but her defense at WrestleKingdom was the shortest match on the card by far. Mercedes is great, but I think this move was mostly for buzz, though Mercedes can obviously connect with the American audience on the fact she speaks English fluently. Okada VS Tanahashi was also awesome, but it was a foregone conclusion Okada would win.
What is truly intriguing is that Okada wants to try that dream team stuff again, and must now target his own Chaos teammates, Goto & Hashi, if he wants to be a double champion. I’m not saying Okada will go Heel, despite some of the meaner tactics he’s been taking lately, but Goto & Hashi are gonna feel some kinda way about this news. And Mercedes standing beside Okada did make for a great photo op, but also her teasing some kind of Mixed Tag run is fun. NJPW works together with AAA and AEW, the current AAA Mixed Tag Team Champions are AEW’s Sammy Guevara & Tay Melo, and I would love to see that feud just for the promos out of Mercedes and Tay. NJPW is definitely positioning itself to have the most buzz in 2023, and is gonna bring its friends along with it.
My Score: 9/10
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
Show no fear!
To prepare for his AEW World Championship Steel Cage match with Jon Moxley, Samoa Joe faces Claudio Castagnoli! But will it really just be Claudio out there?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- AEW Women’s World Championship Eliminator Fatal 4 Way: Toni Storm VS Penelope Ford VS Thunder Rosa VS Anna Jay; Toni wins and denies all three a title match.
- Six Man Tag: Ricochet & The Young Bucks VS Swerve Strickland, Mark Briscoe & “Speedball” Mike Bailey; win.
- AEW Continental Championship Eliminator: Kazuchika Okada VS Kevin Knight; wins and
- Samoa Joe VS Claudio Castagnoli; wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Hangman Page is here!
Motor City fires up for that #CowboySh*t as the Men’s Owen Hart Cup finalist makes his way out to the ring. Hangman grabs a mic and says, “I don’t know that I’ve ever understood, after everything that I’ve done, why even one of you would cheer for me, but…” The fans cheer and chant for “COWBOY SH*T!” and Hangman continues, “I just want to let you know that it does make a difference, so thank you.” The fans applaud and Hangman says he probably shouldn’t have to say it, but the past two years for him have been “some kind of special Hell.” And after what happened to his family, he wanted revenge, he wanted justice, and he’d found it!
Hangman took from another man his only hopes and dreams, and Hangman nearly killed him! And after their steel cage match, Hangman stood at the top of the ramp and thought he’d finally feel some kind of joy, some kind of closure, to an awful chapter of his life. But he felt nothing. Hangman thought that maybe if he went and finished the job, he’d have his closure, but he couldn’t do it! The fans now chant, “Tell Us Why! Tell Us Why!” Hangman says he doesn’t know why. But since he couldn’t find that closure, he took that anger, bottled it up, and he unleashed it on anyone who got in his way, because he thought that’d give him catharsis! But all it did was tear down everyone around him!
“So I had to make a decision. Swerve Strickland…” The fans chant for “Whose House?” “SWERVE’S HOUSE!” Hangman tells Swerve that he will never forgive what Swerve did to him. And he will probably never forget. But for Hangman, he will have to put it behind him. Hangman made his decision to enter this year’s Owen Hart Cup, and he defeated Josh Alexander in the first round, and then in front of his friends and family, Hangman defeated Kyle Fletcher in the second. And finally, at Double or Nothing, for a chance at the AEW World Championship, Hangman wrestles who everyone says is the BEST wrestler in the world, Will Ospreay.
The fans cheer, and then here comes Ospreay! Detroit fires up even more as the Aerial Assassin walks to the ring to be face-to-face with the Cowboy. The fans are losing their minds just from these two staring down! There’s also a “Happy Birthday!” chant for Ospreay. Ospreay apologizes for interrupting Hangman’s “therapy session,” but isn’t it a bit strange the amount of promotions they’ve both been part of, and this is the first time they’ve even spoken to one another? Just for Ospreay, it is a pleasure to meet The Hangman. And in that same breath, Ospreay wants to apologize, he sees Hangman’s been through a lot.
Ospreay’s seen it with his own eyes, and he’s seen it through the fans’ eyes. “We have watched your journey, my man. I understand how much this match means to you. I get it. I’ve seen it. We’ve all seen it. One of my favorite moments in wrestling, mate, one of my favorite moments is when you took these misfits known as The Dark Order, and you showed ’em leadership, and you showed ’em what it takes to be a cowboy, bruv.” The fans cheer that! Ospreay says from there, how Hangman rode that support and became THE AEW World Champion, “mate, it was perfect!” The fans also cheer that.
But Ospreay continues, “It’s just, after you lost it, everything changed, didn’t it? I understand. I get it. You’ve had a rough couple o’ years. I spotted something last week. Last week, after you beat Kyle Fletcher, I and these people saw something we ain’t seen from you in a long time. You smiled again.” The fans cheer that, too! Ospreay says we hadn’t seen that from The Cowboy in a long time. And while everyone here, including Ospreay, really wants Hangman to beat those demons and go reclaim his spot as the “main character” of AEW, Ospreay has a problem with that. At Double or Nothing, Ospreay is not losing.
See, while Hangman has been finding himself, he’s been tearing this place apart! Does Ospreay even need to mention Jeff Jarrett, Christopher Daniels, or even one of Ospreay’s best friends, Swerve Strickland? See, Ospreay has been doing all of Hangman’s jobs! Has Hangman been doing media? NOPE, Ospreay’s been doing it! Has Hangman been doing meet ‘n’ greets? NOPE, Ospreay’s been doing it! Has Hangman been taking photos with kids and their families? NOPE, Ospreay’s been doing it! And the best bit of it is, when they ring the bell, Ospreay is the one showing AEW is where the best wrestle! OSPREAY, NOT HANGMAN!
And what? All because Hangman is smiling again, all because Hangman’s found himself, he thinks he can just take that spot back? That don’t mean Cowboy Sh*t to Ospreay, bruv! The fans are torn, but Ospreay says all of this, he understands it is about Hangman’s redemption, but it is far too little and far too late! This is not about Hangman’s redemption, this is about Ospreay’s ascension! Ospreay and Hangman get up in each other’s face, but then The Don Callis Family shows up! With Josh Alexander, Lance Archer, Konosuke Takeshita, Rocky Romero & Trent Beretta at his back, Don Callis has a mic to say, “Y’know, Ospreay…!”
The fans boo a lot but Callis continues with how every day, Ospreay shows us just how stupid he is! The dumbest day of Ospreay’s life was when he left the Don Callis Family! The fans tell Callis off but Callis says just to prove how stupid Ospreay is, does Ospreay even know what is standing in the ring with him? Does he even know what that is next to him!? Callis will tell ya! “That is a violent, mentally unstable sociopath who put his mentor in the retirement home and he can’t walk!” The fans boo, Hangman is riled up but Ospreay has Hangman stand down. The fans again tell Callis off.
Ospreay says he’s already had enough of Callis’ talking! Why not do us a favor, Callis, and bring any two of your guys down to the ring right now so Ospreay and Hangman can- But then Hangman brushes Ospreay’s hand away. Callis says he sees what’s going on here. But y’know what? Hangman and Ospreay can’t even get through a segment together without wanting to kill one another! This is the first good idea Ospreay’s ever had! Callis will take any two members of his family to put against Ospreay & Hangman, so long as Hangman doesn’t have another mental breakdown before next week!
The fans boo more and they tell Callis to STFU. Ospreay and Hangman stare down as the Callis Family leaves, but what hand will be dealt this close to Double or Nothing?
FTR visit commentary…?
Cash Wheeler, Dax Harwood & Stokely Hathaway just walk over, and #BigStoke has the mic to tell Tony Schiavone, “Lemme ask you a question.” The fans boo but Stoke asks Schiavone if he has an issue with FTR. Does Nigel McGuinness have an issue with FTR? Because if Stoke recalls correctly, FTR issued an apology. But week after week after week after week, Schiavone has something negative to say about them, and more importantly, something negative to say about Stokely! The fans boo but Stokely says last Saturday Night Collision, Schiavone said Stoke was a snake in the grass! A snake in the grass…!
But y’know what Schiavone is? He’s a decrepit, pale, pasty piece of- Schiavone stops Stokely there and says that’s enough. The fans cheer for Tony, and Tony stands to ask Stokely & FTR to politely leave. But Stokely SHOVES Schiavone! Schiavone gets back up but FTR stand in the way. Cash tells Tony to relax! He’s so tense! Loosen up a bit. This isn’t even about Schiavone. Daniel Garcia says he wants answers, but why did FTR do what they did to him? He gave them no choice! Garcia made that decision himself. FTR saw themselves as father figures to Garcia, and Garcia turned his back on them!
So like Cash’s father taught him, sometimes you learn lessons the hard way! Tomorrow night, Thursday Night Collision, here in Detroit, Cash promises Garcia that it’ll hurt them a lot more than it will Garcia… emotionally. The fans boo, but Dax smirks as he says, “Tony… Tell Nigel we’ll see him tomorrow night. Top Guys, out.” FTR leave, but will they survive their Collision with Red Death?
Harley Cameron and Anna Jay talk backstage.
The wild Aussie tells the Queenslayer that tonight, Anna goes into battle and comes out with a title match! Don’t think about anything else! Anna says Harley’s had her fat ass’s back out there, and she’ll have her fat ass again tonight, right? With both hands! Harley has the T, Anna has the A! Tenacity and aggression! Uh, yeah, and the other kind. Those, too! So Toni Storm, Thunder Rosa, Penelope Ford, “Who wants to get choked out!?” YEAH! That was definitely the closing line! Giddy-up! Anna hops onto Harley and they head to gorilla! Will Anna prove she’s the Star of the Show? Or will Dynamite still be Timeless?
AEW Women’s World Championship Eliminator Fatal 4 Way: Toni Storm VS Penelope Ford VS Thunder Rosa VS Anna Jay!
The bell rings and Anna goes right at Ford, still wanting to settle scores from the past few weeks! Rosa and Toni stay back a moment, still allied as ThunderStorm/ThunderTits. Ford and Anna go to the outside, and Anna sends Ford into railing! The fans fire up, and now the friendly rivals tie up. Toni headlocks, Rosa powers up and out, but Toni runs her over! Things keep moving, Rosa ducks ‘n’ dodges to tilt-o-whirl RANA! Rosa DROPKICKS Toni, Ford sends Anna into steel steps, and Rosa runs to DROPKICK Toni against ropes! Cover, TWO! Ford gets in there to whip Rosa, but Rosa dodges, arm-drags, and lateral presses! TWO!
Ford is up but Rosa scoops her for a SLAM! Rosa then rallies the fans, runs the ropes, but Ford avoids the splash Rosa belly flops and Ford runs up to wheelbarrow! Victory roll, but Rosa rolls into the ropes! Ford runs to DROPKICK Rosa! Cover, Anna breaks it! Anna pushes Ford into the ropes, stands her up, and ROCKS her! Anna runs up, avoids the shoulder from Ford, and KNEES her in the ropes! And LEG LARIATS, then HOTSHOT NECKBREAKERS! Anna drags Ford to a cover, Toni breaks it! The fans cheer and Toni fires forearms on Anna! Toni ROCKS Anna, reels her in, FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, Ford LOW BLOWS Toni!
The Superbad Girl is naturally the first to use the No Disqualification rules and the fans boo. Toni tumbles out, Ford throws Anna out to join her, and then Ford ASAI MOONSAULTS! Direct hit and the fans fire up, but now Rosa climbs! Ford has Toni & Anna, Rosa SUPER CROSSBODIES onto them all! La Mera Mera wipes out all three weras and the fans are thunderous! Rosa rises again as Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Rosa stomps Anna, drags her up, and SMACKS her off steel steps! Toni stands, she and Rosa call truce, and Rosa drags Ford up while Toni goes for Anna. Ford fires forearms on Rosa, Toni sends Anna into barriers, and Ford CHOPS Rosa. Toni CHOPS Anna! Toni then kicks Ford, CLUBS her down, and Rosa helps out. ThunderStorm mugs Ford, then puts her in the ring. They drag Anna up, scoop for the BACKBREAKER and LEG DROP! Rosa covers but Toni stops her! Toni covers, but Rosa stops her! They argue, Toni kicks low, and then Toni TOSSES Rosa! Toni goes back for Ford, headscissor squeeze!
Ford endures but Rosa returns. Toni apologizes but Rosa grabs her for a headscissor squeeze! Now Toni endures, but Anna is back! Anna grabs Ford’s legs, powers up, and she turns the chain over! Ford endures multiple submissions, but Toni is still stuck between Rosa’s legs! Anna can’t hold on any longer, she lets go and everyone is separated! Anna and Rosa stand to fire forearms while Ford and Toni go to corners. Anna ROCKS Rosa, Rosa ROCKS Anna, and then they both fire up! They both run, and DOUBLE FOREARMS knock them both down! Toni rises, but so does Ford, and now they start trading shots!
Dynamite returns to single picture, the fans cheer Toni and boo Ford. Toni gets the edge and the fans fire up! But Ford takes a swing! Only for Toni to catch her in a GERMAN SUPLEX! Rosa returns to KNEE Toni down! Anna rises but Rosa is on her first! Rosa CHOPS, then whips, but Anna grabs ropes! Anna ELBOWS Rosa back, then BOOTS her! Rosa falls, the fans rally and Anna covers, TWO! Anna snarls, but then Ford yanks Anna down! They brawl on the outside, Anna ROCKS Ford and snap suplexes her to the floor! Anna rises, but she has to duck Rosa’s dropkick! Rosa and Anna brawl outside, and Rosa DDTS Anna to the floor!
The fans fire up and Toni is back. ThunderStorm regroups, but Ford is up top! ARIHARA MOONSAULT!! Ford wipes out the ThunderStorm and the Star, and Detroit cheers because that was legit! Ford puts Anna in, Anna goes away to a corner, and “This is Awesome!” as Ford handsprings in! Anna dodges, then runs up to LEG LARIAT! Toni runs to SPLASH them both! Ford & Anna sit down, Toni keeps moving, and she says kiss this! SWEET HIP MUSIC for two! Then she sets up for Rosa! Rosa runs up, THUNDER IN MOTION DROPKICK! Ford takes the shot, then ThunderStorm reels her in!
Ford fights the suplexes, and here comes Megan Bayne! It was only a matter of time before The Megasus made her presence known. Megan storms into the ring, Rosa runs up, but Megan BOOTS Rosa down! Then she LARIATS Toni! The fans boo as Megan eggs Rosa on. Rosa rises, into the FLYING LARIAT! Megan smirks, but Anna is up! The fans fire up as Anna steps to Megan, but then Megan dodges a shot to fireman’s carry! Anna slips free and fires forearms! The fans fire up, but Ford CLUBS Anna! Anna gest mad and DECKS Ford! But then Megan LARIATS Anna! Megan hauls Anna up, reels her in, and lifts her up, BAYNE BOMB!
BUT HERE COMES HARLEY! And she has a lead pipe! She dodges Megan, LARIATS Megan up and out, abut then Megan drags her out! Harley dodges and JAMS Megan up! And CLUBS her on the back! Harley keeps after Megan with that equalizer and the fans are thunderous! Harley runs Megan off to the back, only for Ford to have Anna in the MUTA LOCK!! But Toni runs up to LOW BLOW Ford in return! The fans fire up as Toni now locks on the T C M!! Ford TAPS, Toni wins!!
Winner: Toni Storm, by submission (denies her opponents a title opportunity)
Toni’s Classic Move gets the job done, and Rosa shows respect with the secret handshake and chest bump. The Timeless AEW Women’s Champion is 12-0, but will she be ready for whoever comes out of Arizona as the Queen of Harts?
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
Who will grab their golden tickets to Tampa?
While TWENTY-FIVE men fight in a Battle Royal to face Oba Femi, Jordynne Grace and Giulia go 1v1 to face NXT Women’s Champion, Stephanie Vaquer!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Six Man Tag: Joe Hendry, Hank ‘n’ Tank VS Dark State; Dark State wins.
- Kelani Jordan VS ZARIA w/ Sol Ruca; Zaria wins.
- NXT Championship #1 Contender’s Battle Royal: Myles Borne wins and will challenge Oba Femi for the title at NXT Battleground: Tampa.
- Karmen Petrovic VS Jaida Parker; Jaida wins.
- NXT Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Giulia VS Jordynne Grace; Grace wins and will challenge Stephanie Vaquer for the title at NXT Battleground: Tampa.
PLAY BY PLAY
Six Man Tag: Joe Hendry, Hank ‘n’ Tank VS Dark State!
Say his name and he appears, HONK HONK! Hank ‘n’ Tank believe in Joe Hendry! And they also didn’t like that the Prestigious One got attacked by the pack of wild dogs known as Dark State. But will we all be believers after the TNA World Champion and the NXT Tag Team Champions stand tall together? Or will we see that truly #NoOneIsSafe?
The teams sort out, but then it is just a brawl! The fans fire up, Dark State knocks Hank and Hendry out of the ring to isolate Tank. Dion Lennox starts and he throws hands. Dion whips, then hits a SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Tank stays in this but Dion is already bringing out his Mr. Hyde side. Tank fires body shots but Dion headlocks. Tank powers him to ropes but Osiris Griffin tags in. They mug Tank, then Osiris dribbles Tank off buckles. Tag to Cutler, Osiris feeds Tank to him, but Tank swings around and hits a crucifix takedown! TWO, Cutler headlocks, but Hank tags in as Tank powers out! They misdirect and CLOBBER Cutler! Then SENTON! Cover, TWO!
Hank keeps Cutler down with a facelock, then wrench to a wristlock. Tag to Hendry, the fans fire up, and Hendry KNEES low! Hendry suplexes Cutler, holds him up, and the fans cheer him on as he marches around with Cutler! Then the SLAM! Cover, TWO! Hendry wrenches Cutler, tags Hank, and Hank goes up to AX HANDLE the arm! The fans rally as Hank whisp, but Cutler grabs ropes to block! Cutler BOOTS Hank, then brings him around to whip. Cutler ELBOWS Hank down, then CHOKES him on the ropes! Saquon Shugars talks trash on the big boy, then Dion tags in. Dion scoops but Hank fights it!
The fans fire up as Hank fires hands, but Dion fires back! Dion whips and ELBOWS Hank down! Dion stalks Hank to the ropes, wrenches his arm, then RAMS his shoulder! Cover, TWO! Hank is tougher than that, but Dion scoops. Hank slips free, shoves Dion then BOOTS him! Tag to Tank and they bump Dion off buckles! Tank SPLASHES, Hank SPLASHES, then BULLDOGS! The fans fire up and Dark State is mad! But HONK! HONK! BIG BELLY SANDWICH! Feed to Hendry for a scoop! FALL AWAY SLAM! The fans fire up as Hendry kips up! Cutler is in, but Hendry scoops to FALL AWAY SLAM! And another kip up!
Hank hugs Hendry but Hendry scoops out of instinct! Tank tells him that’s Hank, and Hendry realizes it. Hendry sets Hank down, and then trio TURNS! The fans cheer the big smiles and NXT goes picture in picture.
Hendry waits on Dark State while they huddle up. They talk it out, Dion rushes in, but Hendry SLAMS him down! Hendry wrenches an arm, tags in Hank, then Hank goes up again. Hank winds it up, then AX HANDLES Dion! Hank taunts Dark State before he wrenches Dion and YANKS the arm! Hank wrenches again, tags Hendry back in, and Hendry goes up. Hendry winds it up, and then AX HANDLES Dion’s arm! Hendry wrenches the arm again, tags Tank, and they double wrench to DOUBLE CLUB Dion! Tank snapmares Dion, covers, TWO! Dion stays in this but Tank stays on him with a chinlock.
Dion endures the grind and fights up to his feet. Dion fires body shots, Tank grinds the hold, repeat. Dion powers Tank to ropes, Osiris tags in, btu Tank fights them both off! Osiris HOTSHOTS Tank, then storms in and CHOKES Tank on the ropes! The ref counts, Osiris stops at 4, then he CLUBS Tank down! Osiris scoops Tank to SLAM him, then covers, TWO! Osiris keeps Tank down with a COBRA CLUTCH! Tank endures as Osiris thrashes him around. Osiris ripcords, Tank dodges! Hot tags to Cutler and Hank! Hank fires haymaker after haymaker, then whips for an ELBOW! And another ELBOW! Hank bumps Cutler off buckles, then runs him corner to corner to do it again!
NXT returns to single picture as fans fire up with Hank! Hank goes up the corner, Cutler storms over, but Hank fires hands! Cutler falls back, Dion distracts the ref, and Saquon SHOVES Hank down! Cutler tags Dion, Dion stomps away on Hank, then SPLASHES DOWN! Dion pulls Hank back by pulling hair, then he tags Osiris. Osiris waits on Hank, scoop shim, and hits a BACKBREAKER! Osiris then CHOKES Hank on the ropes, drags him up, and bumps him off buckles. Tag to Dion, then tag to Cutler, and Dion sends Osiris to SPLASH Hank! Cutler sends Dion in and he SPLASHES Hank! Then feed to Cutler for a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO!
The fans fire up as Hank toughs it out, but Cutler drags him up and RAMS him into an open corner! Cutler talks trash on Hank, hits a short arm LARIAT, then he covers, TWO! Cutler is annoyed but he clamps on a chinlock. The fans rally as Hank endures. Hank reaches out, fights up, and he fires body shots! Cutler CLUBS Hank, Hank ROCKS Cutler! The fans rally as Hank ROCKS Cutler again! Cutler clamps on an IRON CLAW! Cutler powers Hank to the corner, tags in Osiris, and Cutler feeds Hank to Osiris’ POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Hank survives but Osiris grins. Then he sucker punches Hendry!
The fans boo but Osiris ROCKS Hank and RAMS him into the corner! Tag to Cutler, then tag to Dion! Cutler sends Osiris in, but Hank dodges! Osiris POSTS himself! Hank then DUMPS Cutler, dodges Dion, and hot tags Tank! The fans fire up as Tank rallies on Dion with big shoulders and haymakers! Dion staggers, Tank dodges, and Tank OVERHEAD SUPELXES! Cutler is up but Tank wrenches and DECKS him! Tank then goes up, out, and CANNONBALLS Cutler and Osiris down! The fans are thunderous for Tank as he hurries back in! Tank catches Dino to a BUBBA BOMB! Cover, Osiris & Cutler break it!
Hendry and Hank return, the brawl is back on! Osiris runs up, Hank DUMPS him out! Hendry and Cutler throw hands while Osiris drags Hank out! Saquon distracts Hank, Osiris RAMS Yank into a POST! Hendry hits a FALL AWAY SLAM on Cutler! Hendry kips up, and the fans join in on “We Will Rock You!” But wait! TRICK WILLIAMS drags Hendry out of the ring!! Hendry fires hands on Trick in return! Tank goes for Cutler, but Dion CHOP BLOCKS a leg out! Tag after tag, and now Dark State gets Tank up! DARK STATE BOMB!! Cover, Dark State wins!
Winners: Dark State, by pinfall
Trick Williams’ grudge with Hendry cost Hendry’s team, and Dark State steal another win! Will nothing stop this fearsome foursome from taking over NXT?
Thea Hail talks with Karmen Petrovic.
Karmen thanks Thea for being on her side with the Karmen x Ashante breakup. Karmen is so done worrying about Ashante when this Women’s Division is only getting deeper. Thea says it feels safe relying on others, but sometimes, you gotta worry about yourself. That’s how you get stronger. Jaida Parker walks in and asks what Thea knows about being strong. Thea came back acting grown when nothing has changed. Thea is still the yappy little girl she was. And Karmen ain’t safe, either. Didn’t Jaida tell her four MONTHS ago to dump Ashante? Now look at you. But go ahead, open your ears to hear more wisdom.
Ashante wasn’t the only thing holding Karmen back. Karmen is just too damn soft. Thea gets heated but Karmen says she’s got this. Maybe the problem is Jaida had such an amazing opportunity at Stand & Deliver and, cough cough, choked? So what happened? We thought Miss Parker don’t play. Karmen’s right. That’s why Jaida will see Karmen in the ring. Since she’s acting so froggy, Karmen might as well jump. Jaida heads out, will she make sure the #ShingShing doesn’t get out the mud?
No Quarter Catch Crew talks backstage.
Myles Borne & Tavion Heights hype each other up for the battle royal, and Charlie Dempsey says, “Fellas… Before we compete in this battle royal, there’s something I gotta say.” Myles says if it is what he thinks it is, it can wait. Dempsey says no, it can’t. Tonight, it is a major opportunity for all of them. Tavion says damn right! Dempsey says it isn’t about grudges or individual glory. They are three individuals with the same goal in mind: That is to make sure that the NQCC takes one step closer to Oba Femi and taking that NXT Championship from him at Battleground! Yeah! Now, are they all on the same page?
Tavion says Dempsey knows they are! Time to get a title back in the NQCC! NQCC all the way to the top! Wren Sinclair checks if Myles heard that. Yeah, he heard. Let’s do this. Wren says NQCC on three. Hands in! NQCC! They’re united in wanting to win that battle royal, but will any of them make it through to the end of the 25 Man Battle Royal?
Kelani Jordan VS ZARIA w/ Sol Ruca!
Speaking of acting tough and wanting opportunities, The Standout’s new attitude is making her act a little entitled to a title shot. Kelani wants to face Sol for the NXT Women’s North American Championship, but Zaria wants Kelani to earn it. Will that be easy enough when No One Does It Like Lani? Or will the Agent of Change be the gatekeeper for Sol’s gold?
NXT returns as Zaria makes her entrance, Sol by her side. The bell rings and Kelani DROPKICKS Zaria! The fans are torn as Kelani runs and slingshots, but Zaria stops the arm-drag! Zaria whips Kelani away, Kelani ducks around to waistlock, but then ducks an elbow. Zaria pie faces Kelani! Then shoves her! Kelani frowns, then fires forearms and CHOPS! Kelani backs Zaria up but Zaria shoves her away! Zaria runs up, Kelani dodges, and Zaria hits buckles. Kelani runs up, Zaria puts her on the apron, but Kelani ROUNDHOUSES! Kelani goes up, leaps, FLYING- NO! Zaira stops the rana and brings Kelani up! Kelani fights with fists, sunset flips, but Zaria stays up!
Zaria YANKS Kelani up and scoops, but Kelani slips free again! Kelani shoves Zaria at the corner, Zaria stops herself short, and then she runs up to lift Kelani! Kelani sunset flips it, TWO! Zaria escapes, and now she RAMS Kelani into the corner! Zaria RAMS Kelani again and again, the fans are torn, but Zaria stalks Kelani to another corner. Zaria stands Kelani up, tells her she isn’t just gonna get a title opportunity, but Kelani breaks free! Zaria CHOPS Kelani on the back! Kelani goes to a corner, Zaria puts some stank on it, but Kelani dodges the chop to CHOP in return! Kelani puts stank on the CHOP to Zaria’s back!
The fans fire up as Kelani then RAMS Zaria into the corner again and again! Kelani digs her shoulder in, lets off as the ref counts, and Kelani whips. Zaria reverses to scoop and SWINGING GUT BUSTER! Kelani writhes, Zaria brushes herself off, and the ref checks on Kelani. Kelani says she’s okay to continue, but then Zaria clamps onto her face! Kelani SLAPS Zaria! Kelani BOOTS Zaria outta the ring! Zaria is furious, btu Kelani gets her in the ropes! HOTSHOT KNEE, and then the POMMEL LEG DROP! Kelani goes up, up, but Zaria bails out! Kelani adjusts, leaps, but into Zaria’s hands! Zaria knees low, whips Kelani, but Kelani stops short of the steps!
Kelani ELBOWS Zaria away, then goes up, up, and FLYING RANAS to the floor! The fans fire up and Sol is stunned while NXT goes picture in picture.
Sol coaches Zaria up but then Kelani gets in her face. Sol backs off, not wanting trouble, and Kelani drags Zaria up. Kelani whips Zaria into the apron! And then whips her into the apron again! And then she puts Zaria in the ring, runs, and SPLASHES! Cover, TWO! Zaria toughs it out but Kelani KNEES her in the back! And again! And again! Kelani then basement DROPKICKS Zaria in the back of the head! Kelani bumps Zaria off buckles, snapmares her and runs, to then SPLASH into BOOTS! Zaria turns the tide and Kelani goes to the apron. Zaria storms up, Kelani RAMS into her, then Kelani slingshots, but Zaria trips her up!
Kelani tumbles to the floor and flounders around. Zaria storms up on Kelani, drags her around, and digs a knee into her back while she pulls her back! Kelani endures, fights up, but Zaria CLUBS her down! Zaria KICKS Kelani in the side, stalks her to the ropes, then puts her in a corner. Zaria RAMS Kelani, brings her around, and KNEES her low! Zaria KNEES Kelani again and again, then reels her in for another SWINGING GUT BUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Kelani survives but is in rough shape. Zaria reels her in, hoists her into a Canadian Rack, and bends Kelani with the Argentine Backbreaker Rack! And BACKBREAKER!
Zaria holds onto Kelani, stands back up, and FLIPS Kelani! Kelani just manages to land out, and she fires body shots! Zaria storms up and they both throw hands! It gets scrappy as Zaria whips. Kelani dodges as NXT returns to single picture and Zaria hits buckles. Zaria BOOTS in return, then storms up to bring Kelani into the corner. Zaria goes up, and drags Kelani up using a full nelson! Kelani flails but the ref counts so Zaria drops Kelani. Zaria then stands Kelani back up, but Kelani ROCKS Zaria and TOSSES her from the top! The fans fire up as Zaria staggers to her feet. Kelani runs up, and she CLOBBERS Zaria! And CLOBBERS her again!
Zaria catches Kelani’s cartwheel to GERMAN SUPLEX! But Kelani is right up to handspring BACK ELBOW! Both women are down, Kelani kips up, and Sol is worried for Zaria. Kelani brings Zaria up, whips her to ropes, but Zaria reveres. Zaria scoops Kelani but Kelani tilt-o-whirl DDTS! Cover, TWO! Kelani is frustrated and she goes up, up, and 450- NO, Zaria moves! Kelani rolls through, but comes back into a SPEAR!! Cover, TWO!?! Kelani survives and Zaria is stunned! Zaria drags Kelani up, fireman’s carries, but Kelani fights around to a dragon sleeper! And THE SLICE! Cover, TWO! Zaria stays in this and Kelani is frustrated, but “This is Awesome!”
Kelani kicks at Zaria while holding a wristlock. Then Kelani changes sides to KICK from there! But Zaria blocks a kick, and she clamps onto Kelani’s neck! CHOKE- NO, Kelani slips free to waistlock. Zaria switches, Kelani switches, O’Conner Roll! TWO and Kelani staggers to ropes. Zaria runs up but Kelani DUMPS her out! Kelani aims, slingshots and ASAI MOONSAULTS! Direct hit and down goes Zaria! Kelani hurries to her feet, stands Zaria up, but Zaria shoves Kelani at Sol! Sol helps Kelani from falling! Kelani is confused, but then Zaria SPEARS Kelani through the barriers! The fans go nuts and even Sol is shocked!
Zaria rises up, she drags Kelani into the ring, and then fireman’s carries! DELTA FORCE 5!! Cover, Zaria wins!
Winner: Zaria, by pinfall
The Standout was perhaps moments away from winning, but those moments slipped through her fingers so that Zaria could come out on top! Sol celebrates with her friend, but who else will want their shot at what Sol’s got?
Tony D’Angelo is on the phone.
The Don is assuring them he’s got this. But then Wes Lee walks in, Tyriek & Tyson with him, talking up how big Wes winning the battle royal will be. They spot Tony, and Wes says look it! The Don of NXT! How’s the family, dog? Oh, haha, real funny, Wes. But if anyone knows about stabbing a brother in arms in the back, it’s Wes. What Stacks did to Tony, Wes did to Zachary Wentz. Wes says if he’d had to, he’d do it all over again. And he’s pretty sure Stacks feels the same. But hey, there’s something different about Tony. Oh…! Less confidence. That’s why Tony ain’t in the battle royal. He doesn’t think he can win without The Family.
Tony says Wes doesn’t know what he’s talking about. Wes has all this talent, yet still no instincts. But if he wants to be a tough guy, take a shot. Whoa, whoa, whoa. Wes would, but he has the battle royal to win. So see ya~! Wes heads out, his guys stare Tony down a second, and then they head out. Will the path to Battleground go through the Wes Side?
Lola Vice talks with Stephanie Vaquer.
The Mayor of Vice City tells La Primera that no matter who wins tonight between Giulia and Jordynne Grace, it will be tough at Battleground. And Lola knows Stephanie knows this, but Lola has no doubt that if anyone can walk through Hell and come out the other side NXT Women’s Champion, that’s Stephanie. Stephanie says, “Gracias, hermana.” And competing all over the world, in different promotions, could not have prepared her for what being at the top of this division would mean. Stephanie wants to say more but Lola stops her there. Lola says no matter what happens at Battleground, Lola will be waiting on the other side for her title shot.
But then in steps Giulia. Giulia says she hasn’t forgotten anything between the two of them, so she’ll see her at Battleground. Giulia heads out, but will the Beautiful Madness make it through the Juggernaut to have one last shot at the NXT Women’s Championship?
NXT Championship #1 Contender’s Battle Royal!
Everyone wants to win and face Oba Femi at Battleground, but Trick Williams says he NEEDS to win. Is this finally when #CrashOutTrick gets his way? Or will one of the other 24 hungry contenders be heading to Tampa?
NXT returns as most everyone has gotten in the ring, and Je’Von Evans makes his entrance. “All Ego” Ethan Page joins the field, but then the lights go down. A guitar strums, and the fans go nuts! That’s because E- Uh… ELIJAH is here! The fans sing, “Oh~ Walk With Elias~!” but no, no, the Drifter corrects them, and also sings. “I saw a friend in need~. And I don’t like Trick Willy~! So I decided to come back to NXT~. TNA, we walk this way. I got one more thing to say! It’s NXT, walk with me.” The fans cheer, and even chant, “Welcome Home! Welcome Home!” Elijah has a question for everyone here tonight: Who wants to walk with ELIJAH?
But then Ethan slides out to get in Elijah’s face! The bell rings and the brawl is on! Lexis King ROCKS and TOSSES Chris Island to ELIMINATE him! Lexis says he should go back to LFG! But then Island’s fellow LFG prospect, Shiloh Hill, TOSSES and ELIMINATES Lexis! The fans fire up for that, and wit, Elijah and Ethan brawl on the outside! Trick stomps away on Ricky Smokes while Sean Legacy brawls with Brad Baylor, Swipe Right is in trouble! Ty & Ty keep Wes safe, but then Briggs & Inamura get in there. Elijah and Ethan finally in the ring, but Ashante slides out under the ropes for a breather.
The Culling and NQCC are all over the place, Ridge Holland HEADBUTTS Niko Vance, but then Niko brawls with Myles. Dempsey KNEES Elijah, Myles KNEES Niko, and NQCC work together for a second. But Myles gets caught up with Thatcher, Elijah LARIATS and ELIMINATES Dempsey! Tavion goes after Elijah and Inamura is after Myles! Shawn Spears finds a pocket to stay safe before going after Elijah. Swipe Right brags a bit, and Inamura POUNCES Brad up and out to ELIMINATE him! The fans fire up with The Great Rush as he CLOBBERS Ricky Smokes! But then Trick hits a JUMPING NECKBREAKER!
The fans boo, but Adonis returns to TOSS Trick! Trick holds onto ropes while Ashante SUPERKICKS Tyson! And SUPERKICKS Smokes! And SUPERKICKS Tyriek! And SUPERKICKS Thatcher! Ashante is letting loose after being dumped by Karmen! He also SUPERKICKS Shiloh! Ashante TOSSES Shiloh, but Shiloh holds onto ropes! Shiloh dangles off the apron, Trick CLOBBERS Ashante up and out of the ring! Trick ELIMINATES Ashante and Ashante is furious, but Trick dares him to do something about it! The fans are torn over Trick while he stomps away on Shiloh, and NXT goes picture in picture.
Refs have to usher Ashante away, he’s that upset. The brawling continues chaotically, but Thatcher and Inamura trade UPPERCUTS! Elijah bumps Tavion off buckles and stomps him down, Wes and Zach find each other, but they have to fight off everyone else! They end up working together on Smokes?! Kick after kick, and then they TOSS Swipe Right out to ELIMINATE them! Then Wes and Zach stare down again. Only for Tyriek to CLOBBER Zach! Wes lets Tyriek & Tyson mug Zach, but then Briggs busts things up. Je’Von is clinging to ropes for dear life while Briggs & Inamura mug Tyson. Thatcher tries to throw Spears but Spears holds onto ropes.
Tyson fights back against Inamura, but Briggs BOOTS him and DUMPS him out of the ring to ELIMINATE him! Inamura CLOBBERS Tyriek! They stomp away on Tyriek now, then NXT returns to single picture. Ethan brawls with Thatcher, Culling works together, and Ridge is after #SuperSean. Thatcher throws uppercuts on Ethan, Jensen throws hands with Wes, and Thatcher whips Ethan. Ethan BOOTS back, then ROUNDHOUSES! Ethan TOSSES and ELIMINATE Thatcher! The fans boo but Ethan catches his breath. Briggs runs up on Je’Von but Je’Von dodges! Je’Von ROCKS Briggs, Shiloh throws hands on Niko, but Niko turns things around on him!
Tavion stomps away on Trick, Spears helps Niko against Shiloh but Shiloh throws hands! Shiloh ROCKS Spears, runs up, but Niko takes the LARIAT! Shiloh ELIMINATES Niko instead! Shiloh is still fired up, and he dodges Ridge, only for Ridge to come back and CLOBBER him! Ridge TOSSES Shiloh but Shiloh holds on! Trick ROCKS Ridge, but then Shiloh ROCKS Trick! Trick fires hands on Shiloh, but that just fires Shiloh up! Shiloh HEADBUTTS Trick, but a BOOT ELIMINATES Shiloh! The fans are torn but Trick has fire in his eyes. Elijah fights off Legacy, Inamura DECKS Trick! Jensen fires off on Inamura!
Spears CHOPS Tyriek! Je’Von whips, Tavion reverses, and Je’Von clings to ropes again! Je’Von RAMS into Tavion, hurries back in, and Trick stomps away on Inamura. Tyriek fights off Spears, Wes fights off Briggs, Inamura CHOPS Trick! Tavion stomps Sean, Ridge is down on the mat, but Briggs & Inamura work to shove Trick up and out! Trick clings to the ropes as best he can, and he stays on the apron! Briggs & Inamura kick at him, but Trick keeps one foot up! Tavion YANKS Wes down and tosses him aside. Jensen has Tyriek on the apron, and goes for broke with the FLYING LARIAT! Jensen ELIMINATES himself and Tyriek!
Tavion fires hands on Ethan, then on Ridge! Wes and Zach brawl, Tavion fires hands on Ridge! Ridge fights the German Suplex, Zach handsprings and JUMP KNEES Wes ! Ridge ROCKS Tavion! Briggs & Inamura DOUBLE LARIAT Tavion up and out, but Tavion stays safe on the apron!! Tavion grabs each of them, but Ridge runs up to BLAST Tavion! The fans boo as Ridge ELIMINATES Tavion, but then Briggs & Inamura go after Ridge! Elijah stomps Myles and goes after Spears while Briggs & Inamura give Ridge an ASSISTED BACKBREAKER! Je’Von stomps Sean, Briggs & Inamura TOSS Ridge!
Ridge holds onto ropes, but Briggs runs back up! Ridge drags Briggs out to join him! Inamura sets up while Briggs choke grips Ridge! Inamura runs up, Ridge pulls Briggs into the path, Inamura POUNCES Briggs!! Inamura accidentally ELIMINATES Briggs!! Inamura is stunned, Ridge steps back inside, and then Ridge CLOBBERS Inamura! Zach CLUBS Ridge down, stomps him, and then Je’Von DUMPS Myles out! Elijah kicks Je’Von and fires hands. Zach DECKS Spears, then goes for Wes. Je’Von leaps at Elijah, but the JUMP KNEE finds him! Wes and Zach have another stare down, but Je’Von and Sean storm up!
Wes and Zach shrug them off to SUPERKICK them both! Then they TOSS Je’Von and Sean out! They go back to a stare down while Sean and Je’Von hold on! And then Ethan and Spears TOSS the former Rascalz up and out! But then Wes and Zach both hold on! Ethan and Spears now stare down, as we get QUADRUPLE SKIN THE CAT! Ethan and Spears hurry, they LARIAT Zach back up and out to ELIMINATE him! Ethan grins and taunts Zach but Wes is safe, and NXT goes back to picture in picture.
Myles ROCKS Wes, then CHPOS him! Ethan and Trick meet again and Trick works to dump Ethan out! Ethan BOOTS Trick away, Sean and Je’Von work together on Elijah. Inamura CHOPS Wes in a corner! Spears ROCKS and CHOPS Ridge, TOSSES him, but Ridge holds on! Spears keeps after him, but Ridge punches from below! Wes throat chops Inamura, then goes after Je’Von. Wes kicks everyone he sees, and he KNEES Myles in a corner! Wes drags Myles up, but Myles puts Wes on the apron! Wes DECKS Myles, but TRICK BOOTS Wes off the apron and onto the desk! Trick ELIMINATES Wes, and is still seething.
Inamura knocks Spears down, Trick stomps Ridge, Elijah stomps Spears. Ethan and Je’Von brawl, Sean fires hands on Inamura, and Je’Von SUPERKICKS Ethan! Ethan BOOTS Je’Von! Sean puts Inamura up top, Trick has Myles, and Je’Von fights off Ethan’s powerbomb! STUNNER! Je’Von runs up but Ethan BOOTS him down! Inamura goes after Ridge with a CHOP! Ridge CHOPS in return! Elijah and Spears brawl, and Elijah JUMP KNEES him down! Ridge and Inamura fire up and go forearm for forearm! Inamura ROCKS Ridge again and again but Ridge just eggs him on! NXT returns to single picture as the big meaty men roar!
The forearms keep going, and the fans fire up more! They both roar, run, and DOUBLE LARIAT! And DOUBLE LARIAT! And DOUBLE LARIAT! Inamura roars, runs, but Ridge LARIATS him at the ropes! Ridge roars, runs, but Inamura LARIATS him at the ropes! Trick runs up to DUOBLE LARIAT and he ELIMINATES them both!! Trick has the most eliminations of this match and the fans fire up behind him! But wait! JOE HENDRY makes his way back out here! Trick screwed Hendry, Hendry is going to return the favor! Elijah TOSSES Trick and ELIMINATES him! And now Hendry brawls with Trick!!
The fans are torn but security rushes out here as Trick and Hendry fight around ringside! But then Spears TOSSES and ELIMINATES Elijah!! The fans boo as The Chair Man marks The Drifter! But Sean Legacy springboards to MISSILE DROPKICK Spears! Then Sean and Je’Von meet again. The fans fire up as these young guns take aim, and draw! Sean’s BOOT hits first! Sean TOSSES, but Je’Von rebounds, gets around, and GERMAN SUPLEXES! But Sean is back up! Je’Von runs up, Sean DUMPS him out, but Je’Von grabs the ropes! Je’Von’s feet are so close to the floor!! Je’Von rises up, he ROCKS Sean, and then he springboards in, into a SUPERKICK!!
Je’Von goes to a corner, Sean fires up and he GAMANGIRIS in the corner! The fans are torn between Young OG and Legacy, but Ethan is back! Sean turns that around to TOSS Ethan! Ethan holds onto the ropes, Sean turns around into an OG CUTTER! Je’Von gets moving, BOUNCY GAMANGIRI, and Ethan holds the ropes down! Sean falls out, Je’Von & Ethan ELIMINATE Sean together! And now we’re down to our final four! Ethan Page, Je’Von Evans, Shawn Spears, and Myles Borne! “This is Awesome!” as the brawl is back on! Je’Von has Spears, Myles has Ethan, and the fans fire up! Je’Von whips but Spears reverses to fireman’s carry!
Je’Von grabs ropes to stay safe, and he RAMS Spears! Myles stomps Ethan down in a corner, but he sees Je’Von slingshot up and over Spears. SNAP POWERSLAM from #BabyRandy! But Spears runs up, into a SNAP POWERSLAM! Ethan is up, and he BOOTS Myles from outta nowhere! Ethan whips, Myles reverses, clinches, and OVERHEAD SUPLEXES! Myles fires up, he puts Ethan on the ropes, but Ethan holds on! Je’Von fires hands on Spears, whips, but Spears reverses to send Je’Von into Myles and Ethan! Spears then pushes past Je’Von to DECK Myles! Je’Von runs up, Spears ducks but Je’Von leaps to the corner!
Spears turns around, Je’Von mule kicks! Ethan is up, Je’Von BOOTS him away! Myles DROPKICKS Je’Von! Je’Von dangles from the ropes! Spears SUPERKICKS Myles! Spears sees Je’Von on the apron, runs up, but Je’Von holds ropes down! Spears ends upon the apron and Je’Von BOOTS him! Je’Von goes up the corner, but Ethan BOOTS him! Je’Von slumps down and fans freak out, but Je’Von grabs the ropes at the last possible second! Je’Von stays safe, but Ethan stomps away! Ethan calls to Spears, but Je’Von RAMS them both! Je’Von DECKS Ethan, ROCKS Spears, then he goes to the corner! Springboard, DOUBLE FLYING LARIATS!
The fans are thunderous as the Young OG reloads, springboards again, but Spears and Ethan both move! OG CUTTER for Myles!! Je’Von kicks at Spears, Spears blocks it, and sends it into Ethan! Je’Von still SUPERKICKS Spears! Springboard and DOUBLE- NO!! Ethan & Spears hold Je’Von up and TOSS him!! The Canadians ELIMINATE Je’Von! The fans boo but now Spears and Ethan agree, Myles is next. But then Spears whips Ethan! Only for Ethan to reverse and send Spears out! Spears holds onto ropes, Myles runs up, Ethan dodges! Myles dodges back, and he DROPKICKS Ethan into Spears’ headscissors!
Spears drags Ethan out with that, but the BOTH fall! MYLES WINS!!!
Winner: Myles Borne (NEW #1 Contender to the NXT Championship)
NQCC returns to celebrate with their guy! Though, Tavion & Wren are more excited than Dempsey is about it. Will #BabyRandy start to live up to that parallel? Is Myles the next NXT Champion? Or will Oba Femi still be the Ruler?
Backstage interview with Jordynne Grace.
Sarah Schreiber is with the Juggernaut and brings up tonight’s #1 contender’s match. Grace and Giulia are going 1v1 for the first time ever, with only one of them going on to face Stephanie at Battleground. Grace says last week, the two of them fought all the way out of the arena. Tonight, it has to stay in the ring. Grace vows to beat Giulia and win her long overdue 1v1 opportunity at the title. Grace has the power advantage over not just Giulia, but the entire NXT Women’s Division. But in steps Izzi Dame. “What a great attempt at being interesting. You might be one of the strongest here, but you’re not one of the biggest.
“And regardless of what happens tonight, or at Battleground, I plan on-” Lash Legend walks in and says, “SKRRRR~! The birthday girl has finally arrived. Now, I know y’all ain’t talking strong, powerful women without mentioning the Bougie Bully at the top of that list.” Grace sees where this is going. After she becomes #1 contender tonight, and then wins the title at Battleground, she’ll gladly see both of them on the other side. Grace heads out, will the Juggernaut prove it isn’t about size but about backing it up?
Karmen Petrovic VS Jaida Parker!
The locker room confrontation is now a battle in the ring! Will Karmen prove that she is a strong, independent woman who doesn’t need a man? Or will Miss Parker remind us that she don’t play, period?
NXT returns and Karmen is in the ring. The bell rings and the fans rally up. The two tie up, go around, and Jaida puts Karmen on the ropes. Karmen turns things around but Jaida turns it back around. Jaida has Karmen in a corner, the fans chant, “Hey, Miss Parker~!” and the ref counts. Jaida pushes Karmen while she lets off, and Karmen frowns. The two tie up again, go around, and Jaida scoops to SLAM! Jaida says Karmen is in HER ring now! Karmen dodges the lariat, then sweeps the legs! Karmen runs and though Jaida leans back, Karmen changes from Penalty Kick to LEG DROP! Cover, TWO! Karmen drags Jaida up, whips her, but Jaida reverses.
Karmen goes up and SOBATS, then runs up again to wrench and PELE! Jaida bails out in frustration but Karmen builds speed! Karmen DIVES and down goes Jaida! The fans are torn but Karmen puts Jaida back in. Karmen storms up, but Jaida ELBOWS her down! Jaida doesn’t play, and she runs to BLOCKBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Karmen stays in this but Jaida stays on her with buckle bumps. Jaida RAMS into Karmen again and again, then puts Karmen in the ropes. Jaida CHOPS Karmen, then runs to TEARDROP! Jaida high steps it out, then she drags Karmen up for a TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Cover, TWO!
Jaida is frustrated, but she clamps onto Karmen. Jaida pulls Karmen’s arms into the motorcycle stretch, then she steps over to sit on Karmen! Karmen endures being folded up and the fans rally. Jaida talks trash, but Karmen powers up to pull her arms back in. Jaida HIP DROPS Karmen first! Jaida then stands Karmen up, throat chops her, and fireman’s carries. Karmen kicks and fights free, then runs up! Karmen ducks ‘n’ dodges to rally with FLYING FOREARM after FLYING FOREARM! Then she DISCUS LARIATS Jaida down! Karmen fires up, fans are torn, but Karmen runs in at the corner to ELBOW!
Karmen sits Jaida down, goes corner to corner, SLIDING KICK! Jaida sputters, Karmen goes up, and Karmen SHING-BLADES! Cover, TWO!! Jaida survives and Karmen is beside herself! Karmen thinks on what to do, and she tries the LION’S- NO, Jaida dodges the kick to HIP-NOTIC!! Cover, Jaida wins!
Winner: Jaida Parker, by pinfall
A big comeback win, but Jaida isn’t done! She HAMMERS away on Karmen, fires KNEE after KNEE, then suplexes for a GOURD BUSTER! Jaida high steps it, then runs up again, but THEA HAIL takes the hit! Jaida tells Thea to mind her own business. But then Karmen almost gets Jaida with a roundhouse! Jaida goes running, and Karmen checks on Thea. Will Jaida show Karmen and Thea what it really means to be a grown ass woman?
Ava Raine talks with Joe Hendry.
The “Mayor of NXT” has security on hand as she says this situation with Hendry and Trick has gotten out of hand. It has to end! Rebellion, the attacks on TNA Impact, and even this tonight, it is all too much, she is not having it anymore! Hendry says as TNA World Champion, he is NOT backing down from Trick. Ava says that’s fine, she knows Trick, and Trick surely won’t back down. So she spoke with Santino Morella earlier tonight, and they came to an agreement. At Battleground, it will be Hendry VS Trick 1v1. And for the first time on a WWE PLE, the TNA World Championship will be on the line.
Hendry is a bit surprised by that, but Ava says the contract signing is next week. Hendry says he’ll be there. Perfect. Hendry heads out, but is he risking a lot just to settle things with Trick? Or is TNA about to stand for Trick’s Newest Achievement?
Out The Mud is on their way back.
Lucien Price says, “Sometimes you gotta let the noise die down. That’s when you strike. We got sloppy. No patience, no control.” Bronco Nima says now they know better. They been crawling out that damn mud. Now that they’re back up, they see the NXT Tag Division for what it really is. There are teams begging to prove what they can do, but OTM ain’t begging. OTM will just take whatever they want. That means they’re taking everyone else’s shine, everyone else’s opportunities, and most importantly, everyone else’s gold! When and where will Price & Nima strike down the competition?
The Wes Side regroups backstage.
Wes himself is on the phone, and he says, “He took the bait, right? The match is set.” And he tells Tyriek & Tyson it’s as the saying goes: Everyone’s got a price! They laugh and head out, but what exactly does Wes mean by that? Meanwhile, we spot Inamura & Briggs. Briggs wants Inamura to hold on, and he wants to talk about the last couple of weeks. Inamura tells Briggs that he knows what he’ll say. Inamura disappointed Briggs again. Unable to win tonight, unable to win last week, and it was all on Inamura. Inamura is sorry. No, Briggs wasn’t going to say that. Inamura says he has already talked to Ava. Tonight, he heads home to Japan.
Briggs says he doesn’t want Inamura to go, but Inamura says he wishes he could’ve been a better tag partner. Inamura even returns his leather vest! “Goodbye, my friend.” Inamura leaves, and Jensen walks in, The Culling by his side. Jensen says he knows that feeling. He’s lived that feeling! And it sucked! But hey, Briggs is better off now, right? Briggs always thinks it’s his partner, but maybe, just maybe, the problem has always been Briggs. Izzi says, “The truth hurts, huh?” The Culling leaves, and Briggs is all alone. What is the Bullhead Brawler to do with himself now?
The NQCC returns backstage.
Wren & Tavion continue to be fired up for Myles, but Dempsey still seems torn. Dempsey does pat Myles on the shoulder and tells him that was a fantastic job out there. But now is the time to get serious. Dempsey needs each and every one of them to help HIM get ready for the match with Oba at Battleground. Myles says he knows he’s hard of hearing, but did Dempsey just say he is facing Oba? Yeah. Uh, no, Myles won the battle royal. Dempsey says hey, Myles won for the good of the group, but it needs to be Dempsey going to Battleground, going after that big piece of meat and stretching it out to have Oba crying for mercy. Uh… What?
Before anyone can question what Dempsey’s talking about, Oba walks in and applauds Myles’ victory. Myles was not Oba’s pick to win, but he is still impressed. He will be seeing Myles at Battleground. Dempsey says no, it’ll be him. Oba says he’s pretty sure he saw Myles win the match. Yeah, but- Myles says yeah, HE won, so HE will be facing Oba at Battleground. But hey, Dempsey can still show Myles how it’s done by facing Oba next week. Because before Oba showed up, Charlie was saying something about… Uh, Tavion, can you help Myles remember? Something about stretching out that big meat? Dempsey says he wasn’t saying that!
Myles says no, he’s pretty sure he heard that. And Wren, didn’t Dempsey say he was gonna make Oba cry for mercy? Hey, Charlie, look. If you beat Oba like you believe you can, then maybe Battleground can be a Triple Threat. No, no, no, Oba is done with Triple Threats. But he will see Dempsey next week. Oba heads out, Myles says Oba’s pissed. Dempsey “thanks” Myles for that. What wonderful selective hearing he has… Sorry, what was that, Charlie? Dempsey frowns then storms off and Myles chuckles. Wren says Dempsey said Myles has wonderful selective hearing, and Myles chuckles again.
Tavion says Myles shouldn’t worry about that. But will Dempsey manage to take down Oba all by himself? Or will Dempsey just be an appetizer for The Ruler?
Uriah Hall & Kale Dixon talk with Mr. Chase.
It is so exciting to have Chase U back! Mr. Chase agrees, it’s been awesome. Kale says he and Uriah have been thinking. First, they love the sweater. So does Mr. Chase! And they love the polo shirts. So does Mr. Chase! But they were thinking to spruce it up a bit by getting rid of the polo. W-What? Uriah says no one really wears polo shirts anymore, and they already have some clothes for Mr. Chase to try on. Chase isn’t so sure, he was just getting used to wearing the sweater again. Uriah says just try these on. And trust them, it’ll be worth it. Chase sighs and gives in. He takes the stack of shirts, goes into the dressing room, but then a few minutes later, he shouts at them!
Uriah & Kale stand at attention as he walks out in a quarter-zip. They love it! It’ll look sharp in the classroom! Chase isn’t so sure, and he goes to try on the second shirt. That’s fine, it’s good to have options. A few minutes later, Chase comes out in a full tracksuit! There it is! That’ll look great ringside! Ringside?! J-Just a suggestion. Chase says y’know what? He does like it. Kale & Uriah fist-bump! New Chase U, new Chase Fit, this is going to be great!
NXT Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Giulia VS Jordynne Grace!
La Primera may have overcome The Beautiful Madness, The Juggernaut and Miss Parker all at once, but now she’ll have no choice but to face someone 1v1 at Battleground. Will the former NXT Women’s Champion have her rematch of revenge? Or will Grace go Beast Mode and earn her spot at Battleground?
NXT returns as Grace makes her entrance. The bell rings and both rush in! They fire forearms back and forth and the fans fire up! Grace gets the edge, but then Giulia dodges to ROCK Grace! Giulia has Grace in a corner, CHOPS and ROCKS her over and over, but stops as the ref counts. Giulia winds up, runs up, and hits a FASTBALL! The fans fire up, but then Grace puts Giulia in the ring! Grace fires forearms and CHOPS of her own! The fans fire up, the ref counts, Grace GRIZZLY MAGNUMS! Grace brushes herself off, then whips Giulia corner to corner. Giulia reverses, Grace reverses back and atomic drops!
Grace whips, scoops, and GUT WRENCH SLAMS Giulia! Giulia hits her head hard, but Grace hurries to deadlift suplex! Grace holds Giulia up, even as Giulia kicks and flails! Grace then shifts to hit a GUT BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Giulia stays in this, slaps herself to make sure she’s still in this, and we see Stephanie Vaquer watching this backstage. Grace drags Giulia back up, whips her to a corner, and Giulia bounces off buckles! Grace whips her back the other way! Giulia drops to her knees, but Grace looms over her. The fans rally, Grace bumps Giulia off buckles, then LARIATS to the back again and again!
The ref counts, Grace stops, and then Grace brings Giulia around. Grace waistlocks, Giulia switches, but Grace switches back. Grace goes for a full nelson, but Giulia uses her own leg as leverage to fight the hold. Grace still powers up to nelson, and then she spins Giulia to KNEE and LARIAT! Giulia stays up so Grace LARIATS her in the back! Giulia grits her teeth as Grace LARIATS her again! Giulia then clinches to STO! Cover, TWO! Giulia snarls and headlocks, then she brings Grace to a corner. Giulia ROCKS Grace, runs up, but Grace gets around to RAM her into the buckles! Grace has the arms hooked but Giulia pushes off the buckles!
Grace backslides, Giulia rolls through, then Giulia SHOTGUNS Grace down! The fans fire up, Giulia brings Grace up, but Grace wrenches out and whips Giulia to the apron. Giulia dodges Grace, but Grace blocks a kick! Grace pulls the leg into the ropes, Giulia pulls Grace’s hair, and the ref reprimands them both. They both let go at 4, but then Grace blocks the sucker punch! Grace trips Giulia, then goes up, up, and STOMPS! Giulia avoids disaster, then she YANKS Grace down! Grace hits apron, then Giulia pushes her back in! Giulia stands, goes Matrix to avoid the haymaker, but then Grace BOPS her! Grace goes up and brings Giulia up!
Giulia CHOPS at Grace’s legs, then drops down to trip Grace up! Grace has a hard landing now, and Giulia drags her to the apron. Giulia has Grace dangling, DRAPING NECKBREAKER to the floor! The fans fire up again and NXT goes picture to picture.
Giulia fires up, and she brings Grace back up. Giulia puts Grace in the ring, stomps her around, then brings her back up. Giulia wrenches Grace’s hair, wrenches again, then THROWS Grace by her hair! Giulia throws down hands, then throws down HEADBUTTS! The ref reprimands the hair pulling but Giulia runs to DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Grace is tougher than that, but Giulia looms over her. Giulia drags Grace up by her arms with a motorcycle stretch. Grace powers up to turn that around! But then Giulia turns it back around! Giulia brings Grace to a knee, then STOMPS her down! Giulia kicks Grace around, then clamps on for a NECK TWIST!
Grace writhes but Giulia drags her up. Giulia bumps Grace off buckles, reels her in, and puts her up top. Giulia puts Grace in a Tree of Woe, taunts her, then builds speed side to side, basement DROPKICK! Grace falls out of the Tree, but Giulia clamps on a cravat! Grace endures the neck wrench, fights up to her feet, and fires body shots! Giulia just clamps on tighter! Grace fires more body shots as NXT returns to single picture. Giulia ROCKS Grace, whips her, but Grace goes up and over! Grace then hits a SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Giulia then has a GUILLOTINE FACELOCK!! Grace endures, even as Giulia has the body scissors on!
The fans rally, Grace fights up and powers through, but Giulia HEADBUTTS again and again! But Grace still hits an EXPLODER! The fans fire up while both women are down! “This is Awesome!” as both women slowly rise. They go forehead to forehead, then Giulia fires a forearm! Grace fires a haymaker! Giulia fires a forearm, Grace fires back, and they go back and forth! The fans rally as Giulia gets the edge and ROCKS Grace! Giulia whips but Grace holds ropes! Giulia SLAPS Grace, then whips! Grace reverses to SLAP back! The fans fire up, Grace runs, but Giulia blows past! Only for Grace to scoop and SLAM!
Grace scoops and SLAMS again! Then she scoops and- NO, Giulia fights it! But even so, Grace powers through to scoop and MICHINOKU DRIVER!!! Cover, TWO?!!? Giulia survives and no one understands how! Grace grows frustrated but Giulia gets herself to a corner. Grace drags Giulia up, ROCKS her, then winds up, only for Giulia to dodge! Giulia runs up but Grace puts her on the apron! Giulia goes up, but Grace UPPERCUTS! Grace climbs up and brings Giulia to the top! Stalling SUPERPLEX! And then roll through to a JACKHAMMER!! Cover, TWO!!!! Giulia survives again and Grace is beside herself!
The fans rally up for Giulia but Grace pump handles and half nelsons! Giulia fights free, but Grace reels her in! NORTHERN- DDT!! Giulia hurries to wrench and hammerlock Grace, then scoop, GLORIOUS DRIVER!! Cover, TWO!?!? Now Grace shocks us, but Giulia isn’t done! But then Grace scoops! The fans are thunderous for “Women’s Wrestling!” as Giulia fights the scoop to have an IRON OCTOPUS! Grace endures, powers through, but Giulia has her up again! Grace slips free, inverted suplexes, and tucks Giulia in for a REVERSE POWERBOMB!! But Giulia rises?!? Both women roar, Giulia runs up, but Grace ROCKS her! And URAKENS!
Grace reels Giulia in for the pump handle, BEAST MODE DRIVER!!! Cover, Grace wins!!!
Winner: Jordynne Grace, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contender to the NXT Women’s Championship)
These two pushed past their limits and put on a banger, but Giulia could not outlast the Juggernaut! Grace is headed to Tampa, but here comes Stephanie Vaquer! La Primera walks to the ring to be face to face with Jordynne, and she holds up the title. Will Vaquer still be the best of the best in the best women’s division in the world? Or will the Dark Angel learn to lose with Grace?
My Thoughts:
An awesome NXT here, jampacked with both action and build towards Battleground. For one, an awesome main event from Giulia VS Grace, though that rough landing for Giulia out of the gut wrench was scary. Grace winning was a moderate surprise, but Vaquer VS Grace will still be awesome. I feel like this is Giulia’s way to move on to Raw, but I guess we’ll see as soon as next week. Good promo from Jaida with Thea and Karmen, and then a very good match between Jaida and Karmen. Jaida gets a good win, and with OTM on the way back, maybe the trio can finally get going on the other side of Battleground.
Lola wanting next after Battleground is also fitting. Lola VS Vaquer was teased months ago, so they might go through with it on the way to the big weekend in LA. Worlds Collide is essentially a spotlight on Latino talent, so an all Latina title match would make the perfect main event. Kelani VS Zaria was a great match, and who doesn’t like a barrier breaking spot? I figured Zaria would get the win, and I still think the route to go with is Zaria facing others who want at Sol, so that Zaria builds herself a win streak that then leads to Sol VS Zaria. Good little promo from Chase with Uriah & Kale to give an origin story behind some new ring gear. I can’t be sure if Uriah & Kale will help Mr. Chase do better or end up messing Mr. Chase up, but it’ll be good story material.
Great opening Six Man, and I didn’t think Trick would cost Hendry the match, but it still works given Trick going after Hendry every chance he can. And of course Hendry costs Trick in return during the battle royal. Trick VS Hendry for the TNA World Championship is going to be awesome stuff, I can’t wait to see the contract signing or the title match. And we might get Trick joining the exclusive club of men who’ve been both NXT and TNA Champion in their careers. The others in that club are Samoa Joe, Bobby Roode, Drew McIntyre, & Dolph Ziggler/Nic Nemeth.
That battle royal also made for a great throughline for a lot of the other stories tonight. Wes talking smack on Tony D is going to give us Wes VS Tony D, and I feel like Wes’s phone call after the battle royal has something to do with Stacks. Inamura and Briggs having their last match together for it to go south was a good move since Inamura really is going home to Pro-Wrestling Noah. And of course Jensen & The Culling had to pour salt on the wound. I stick by what I said last week where Briggs ends up siding with Culling so he and Jensen can be a team again.
I really liked the interactions of Wes and Zach in the battle royal, because they never got the chance to fight each other, and then ended up working together instead. I can’t wait to see if we get more of Wes VS Zach, maybe for some bigger TNA VS NXT show. I am really surprised Myles Borne won, but this is great for him. It also feels like NQCC could fall apart, as Dempsey was clearly trying to Freebird Rule that title opportunity even though that’s not how it works. Oba had a good promo with NQCC, and Oba will definitely beat Dempsey next week. Now, I don’t know the odds of Myles beating Oba, but Myles will certainly have an awesome showing, and this obviously will lend towards an eventual Myles VS Dempsey story, which will be great stuff.
My Score: 9/10
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